Despite the challenges of the last few years, the 2023 Muswellbrook Business Awards has still seen a very high number of entries across the nine award categories. The number of entries is testament that local businesses are keen to move on despite all the current business difficulties.
This year, some of the categories aligned with the Hunter Business Awards, which will mean the winners of those categories in the Muswellbrook Awards will automatically become finalist in the Hunter Business Awards.
Entries were judged and scored in two parts, firstly on their written submission, and secondly on the face-to-face interview with judges at the entrant’s place of business.
Given the high quality of entries and the enormous amount of resilience that was shown to overcome the many challenges businesses are facing, this year was especially difficult to determine the winners of each category.
For the Chamber, we believe the process of entering the awards is just as valuable as winning an award for a business or individual. Through the written application, and face-to-face interviews, it provides an ideal opportunity for a business to take stock and reflect on what they have achieved over the last twelve months, and what their plans are for the next twelve months.
The four judges, who all score independently of each other, also provide their own written feedback to each of the entrants following the awards on what is believed could be improved upon.
The awards culminated in our Gala Awards Presentation Dinner attended by nearly 200 guests. The evening was a great success, and allowed business owners and staff to get together, let their hair down, and celebrate their success, as both being a finalist or award recipient.
And the winners are:
Excellence in Micro Business – EkulPoint
Excellence in Small Business – A Corp Computers
Excellence in Large Business – The Royal Hotel Muswellbrook
Outstanding New Member – Muswellbrook Laundrette
Making Muswellbrook Award – Radio Hunter Valley (Power FM & 2NM)
Excellence in Tourism – Hunter Belle Cheese
Outstanding Community Organisation – Upper Hunter Conservatorium of Music
Outstanding Young Business Leader – Alexander Slade (A Corp Computers)
Outstanding Business Leader – Lavinia Hutchison (Livmedia)
Outstanding Business Presentation and/or Customer Experience – Hollydene Estate
Outstanding Resilience and Commitment to Community – Best & Less Muswellbrook
Business of the Year – Hunter Belle Cheese
