The Bolwarra business G&RA Hill Painting, which specialises in heritage work, was nominated in the Australian Business Quality Awards and notified of the win last month.

It follows two trophies in the Master Painters Awards at the Shangri-La Hotel, The Rocks, in September.

They beat businesses that employ more than 100 painters in both the Decorative Finishes category (under $30,000), and Heritage and Restoration (domestic, under $30,000).

“We’ve been finalists before, but never won it,” Graham said.

The judges were impressed with the quality of their work at Anambah House.

As part of the restoration, fixtures including the door knobs were stripped and polished, but it’s the time the Hills put into the ceiling that produced a showstopper.

They sprayed the ceiling gold and used brushes to pick out the various ceiling features with rich colours.

The walls were rag-rolled with sleeves imported from the United States, which resulted in great texture.

“The judges thought I had wallpapered it,” Graham said.

The business, founded by Graham and his wife Robyn, has never sought the limelight in 44 years. 

Graham is known to rise as early as 4am to plan his intricate decorations.

This dedication to detail has earned him and the business long-running contracts like Bolwarra House, where the Hills have worked often during the past 20 years.

“It’s great to see people put money back into these homes and restore them to what they once were,” Graham said.

“It’s time consuming, but highly rewarding, when you can look back and get some sense of achievement from bringing them back to life.”

Craig joined the business 22 years ago and will take charge in years to come.

“Heritage work is a niche that not many people market themselves in,” Craig said.