The 2015 Hunter Region Business Excellence Awards were presented at a gala presentation on 11 September at Lindemans Winery, Pokolbin. The fine food, wine, weather and company were complimented by MC Bob Kerr and entertainment by Mark Grant.

 

The awards were originally known as The Cessnock/Kurri Kurri Small Business Awards and started in September 1993 covering the businesses of the Cessnock Shire only. Over the years they grew to encompass the Maitland and Dungog shires and became known as the Lower Hunter Business Excellence Awards. In 2007 the awards were renamed the Hunter Region Business Excellence Awards and were opened to businesses throughout the Hunter region.

 

Fairfax Regional Media (The Advertiser and The Maitland Mercury) have been major sponsors of the awards since 2000, with Beyond Bank (formerly Companion Credit Union), Cessnock and Maitland Councils, Eye Design Graphic Design, MA Technology, Alan Stevens, Bottrell Business Consultants, Accountable Recruitment Solutions, Hunter TAFE, Cessnock BPW and Kurri Kurri District Business Chamber and Akuna Pets coming on board since. This year Lindemans joined as sponsors. The trophies have been handmade by Setsuko of Ogishi Glass for a number of years and are much sought after.

 

There were nearly 200 nominations received with 78 finalists.

The judges worked hard throughout August to come to their final decisions. This task was made more difficult by the exceptional standard of applications, with many categories being extremely tight.

The big winners on the night were Deltawater Pty Ltd who took out the trophy for Innovation and Business of the Year, Stephanie Mortel of Mortels Sheepskin Factory won Business Woman of the Year, Bryce Gibson of LJ Hooker Cessnock and Kurri Kurri secured the Young Entrepreneur in his final eligible year (look out prospective Business Leaders of the future) and Tony Mortel of Mortels Sheepskin Factory was the Business Leader of the Year.