Benjamin Millar
Hobsons Bay’s best businesses have been recognised for their efforts in providing excellent service despite the dramatic impacts of the COVID-19 lockdowns.
The winners of Hobsons Bay Council’s biennial Business Excellence Awards were announced during an online award ceremony held on Thursday night.
An independent judging panel selected the five category winners from almost 100 entries in the awards, which shine a spotlight on the businesses driving the community forward despite the significant impacts of the pandemic.
Pelvic Health Melbourne won the award for Excellence in Customer Experience, Self Defence Hub took out the Creating Social Change award and Eco Laundry Room collected the award for Excellence in Sustainability.
Mama Movement was named best New Start Up Business and Seaworks Foundation was recognised with the Pivoting During COVID-19 award.
Each winner receives a trophy and voucher to help further grow and promote their business.
Hobsons Bay mayor Jonathon Marsden said while the last two years have been tough for everyone, small businesses have borne the brunt of the burden of this pandemic here in Melbourne.
“I take my hat off to our local traders for pivoting their business and surviving this tumultuous time,” he said.
“One of the positive outcomes is the way the Hobsons Bay community has rallied behind our local businesses – buying gift vouchers, ordering takeaway, going out of their way to shop local and basically doing whatever they can to put cash in the hands of our business owners to help them get through the pandemic.”
Cr Marsden said this level of support stands as a testament to how much the community values its local businesses.
“But this astonishing level of goodwill has not just sprung from nothing – it has been earned by several years of exemplary customer service, support and sponsorships of local activities and initiatives, and through the excellent relationships local businesses have built with their clients and community,” he said.
“We continue to encourage the Hobsons Bay community to ‘shop local, support local’ to contribute to saving local jobs, local projects and the local economy.”
