The accomplishments of the Hunter's leading businesses were recognised last Friday night when the Hunter Region Business Excellence Awards returned after a two-year absence.
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The awards were held at Club Maitland City, with 160 people in attendance to celebrate the achievements of 62 finalists, with mobile gymnastics service Gymnastics 21 crowned Business of the Year.
It was the 27th running of the awards, which had not been held since 2019 due to COVID restrictions, and Hunter Region Business Hub general manager Kerry Hallett said it was great to be back.
"I think everyone was so happy to finally get out. Tickets sold out in just over a week, and everyone seemed to enjoy themselves. Those who missed out on tickets - we had nearly 60 on the wait list - were very disappointed," she said.
Gymnastics 21 owner Samantha Nicholls said she and her team were proud to receive the top honour.
"Winning Business of the Year made our team feel recognised and celebrated for all the hard work we put in, especially over the last two years," she said.
"We really felt for the parents and children during the pandemic, it wasn't easy for anyone.
"It kept us going knowing that gymnastics is the kids' happy place and we must keep providing them our service no matter what, even when we were so exhausted ourselves.
"There were so many deserving finalists including some we have collaborated with. We were cheering them on to win too.
"When we heard them call out Gymnastics 21 we cheered and roared! Our team felt so proud and our new 2022 team feel inspired to be a part of this award-winning business. So many hugs and happy tears together."
AND THE WINNERS WERE:
- Business of the Year - Gymnastics 21
- Business Leader - Shane Hamilton, SJH Communications
- Business Woman - Joplin Higgins, Joplin Lawyers
- Young Entrepreneur - Amy Foster, Expressions School of Dance (winner), Joshua Vought, Valley Barrel Furniture (highly commended)
- Financial & Real Estate Services - Ink Financial Solutions
- General Business - UAINE Candles
- Health Services - Gymnastics 21 (winner); Explore and Soar (highly commended)
- Home-Based - Magnetic Shots
- Hospitality & Tourism - The Dairy, Dungog (winner); The Remington Muswellbrook (highly commended)
- Internet-Based - Poppy Seed Media (winner); Australian Hypnotherapy College (highly commended)
- Not-For-Profit - Newcastle MBA Group Training (winner); Survivor's R Us (highly commended)
- Personal Services - Salon Ten
- Professional Services - Sincerus Mindset Coaching & Training (winner); Hunter Events Group (highly commended); McAllister Legal Services (highly commended)
- Trades & Industry - Hunter Interior Design (winner); JR Complete Painting (highly commended)
- NEIS - Farmer Jess
- New Start - Impressum
- Customer Service Individual - Madeleine Simms, Explore and Soar
- Customer Service Whole Business - Beyond Ballooning
See more pictures from the night on the Hunter Region Business Hub Facebook page.
Krystal Sellars
Krystal Sellars is the Senior Journalist at the Cessnock Advertiser. Born and raised in Cessnock, she started her journalism career at the Advertiser in 2006 after completing a Bachelor of Communication at the University of Newcastle. Contact her on krystal.sellars@cessnockadvertiser.com.au.
Krystal Sellars is the Senior Journalist at the Cessnock Advertiser. Born and raised in Cessnock, she started her journalism career at the Advertiser in 2006 after completing a Bachelor of Communication at the University of Newcastle. Contact her on krystal.sellars@cessnockadvertiser.com.au.
