Council is calling on residents and visitors to support their favourite local businesses by nominating them for the inaugural Telstra Macedon Ranges Community Choice Awards.
An extension of the Business Excellence Awards program, the awards seek to recognise and celebrate those who go above and beyond in their day-to-day business.
The awards also aim to help get the word out about local businesses in the shire who are consistently serving up excellence, from the well-known to the hidden gems. Both residents and visitors to the region are being asked to jump on board and nominate their favourite Macedon Ranges businesses.
Mayor Annette Death said the Macedon Ranges had an abundance of outstanding businesses committed to delivering exceptional customer experiences.
"As a community, it is important we recognise and acknowledge the contribution our dedicated business owners make to our local economy, and support them so their businesses continue to thrive," she said.
"We have such a robust tourism economy which attracts people from far and wide. We would love for visitors to get involved in nominating their favourite businesses too and letting us know what keeps them coming back to our beautiful shire."
Nominations for Excellence in Customer Service will be decided by popular vote for each of the following five categories:
- Agribusiness and Primary Production ─ sponsored by Macedon Ranges Business and Tourism Associations
- Health and Wellbeing ─ sponsored by Macedon Ranges Shire Council
- Hospitality and Accommodation ─ sponsored by Macedon Ranges Industry Groups
- Retail and Service ─ sponsored by Telstra
- Trades and Manufacturing ─ sponsored by nbn Local
Telstra's Regional Engagement Manager, Marcus Swinburne, said the local Telstra team were proud to be partners of the awards for 2023 and 2025.
"Our team live locally in the Macedon Ranges and the region, and we know our customers and local communities," he said.
"We look forward to celebrating some of the Macedon Ranges most exciting small/medium-sized businesses, putting them in the spotlight and helping provide a platform to recognise their achievements."
Nominations for the awards close 24 March. Voting opens 1 April and closes 2 June.
