Winners of this year's Illawarra and South Coast Local Business Awards celebrated their success on Wednesday, September 11.
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The award evening was held at The Grange, where the finalists and their guests enjoyed a three-course meal and entertainment by Alfie Arcuri, a singer songwriter and a winner of The Voice Australia.
There was also a starring performance by Erin Bruce, who has appeared in productions worldwide while MC Paul Hancock kept the evening flowing smoothly.
Illawarra Mercury was on hand to capture all the excitement as the finalists were announced, complete with images on the big screen, followed by huge cheers as the winners' names were read out and they took to the stage to claim their trophies.
At the end of the night, Christian's Premium Meats was named Illawarra and South Coast Local Business of the Year while Peter Laybutt of DVD World Warrawong Plaza was awarded Business Person of the Year.
The Youth Award went to Tamieka Garcia, aged 20, of iBox Fitness, a well deserving winner, after picking up the national Health & Wellbeing Award at the AusMumpreneur of the Year Awards in Melbourne recently.
The new category of Sole Trader in this year's Local Business Awards went to Extreme Carpet Cleaning while the New Business award went to Gravity Gymnastics, created by Kobe Oliver and Leah Quince for children to learn gymnastics in a fun environment.
Owner/manager Kobe echoed the sentiment of most winners, "An overwhelming sense of pride that others have recognised our dream and believe in what we have created. Thank you to our amazing, hardworking and passionate team."
Also adding, "Thank you to the wonderful children and families who come each week - without them, Gravity would not be the same."
This advertising feature has been sponsored by the following businesses. Click the links to find out more:
- Precedent Productions
- Bakers Delight Warilla Grove
- Choice Pharmacy at Vincentia Market Place
- Dignam Real Estate
- Weigh Less With Jess
- Nest Residential Design
- Grand Tuition Music Studio
- Just Better Care Illawarra and Southern Highlands
- Lime Leaf Cafe
- Miss Zoe's School of Dance
- South Coast Auto Repairs and Dapto Auto Electrics
- Woonona Florist
Awards founder and Precedent Productions managing director Steve Loe said the evening was a huge success.
"The finalists' excitement was palpable and, as always, people celebrated not just their own success, but cheered for everyone else in the room," Mr Loe said.
"It was a sell-out event, as usual, which goes to show just how popular Illawarra and South Coast Business Awards are with the community."
Mr Loe congratulated all the winners and finalists on their success plus thanked the sponsors.
"Of course, the awards are only possible with the support of major sponsors Port Authority NSW, Dapto Leagues Club and The Grange plus the support sponsors of Service NSW, Warilla Shopping Centre and Dapto Mall."
