Hobsons Bay Business Excellence Awards 2017

celebrating business excellence

2017

Entries close 14 August

CATEGORIES

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Home-based Manufacturing and industrial New/start up business (up to 2 years old) Not for profit CATEGORIES CATEGORIES Professional services Home-based Home-based Retail and hospitality Manufacturing and industrial Manufacturing and industrial New/start up business (up to 2 years old) Tourism New/start up business (up to 2 years old) Not for profit Trades and construction Not for profit services Professional Transport andProfessional warehousing services Retail and hospitality

Retail and hospitality Tourism + Mayor’s Award Tourism Trades and construction Trades construction Transport and warehousing + Business of the and Year Award Transport and warehousing + Mayor’s Award + +Mayor’s Award Business of the Year Award ENTER ONLINE AT: + Business of the Year Award

The Modscape www.hobsonsbay.vic.gov.au/businessawards ENTER ONLINE AT: revolution rolls on For more information 9932 AT: 1000 or email ENTER call ONLINE

www.hobsonsbay.vic.gov.au/businessawards www.hobsonsbay.vic.gov.au/businessawards business@hobsonsbay.vic.gov.au For more information call 9932 1000 or email business@hobsonsbay.vic.gov.au For more information call 9932 1000 or email business@hobsonsbay.vic.gov.au Designed, printed and published by

2017

Entries close 14 August Congratulations on a great year

CATEGORIES Home-based Manufacturing and industrial New/start up business (up to 2 years old) Not for profit Professional services Retail and hospitality Tourism Trades and construction Transport and warehousing

A message from the Mayor The 2017 Hobsons Bay Business Excellence Awards are about celebrating our local business sector and recognising the important contribution it makes to our community and to the economy in Hobsons Bay and across Melbourne’s west.

Hobsons Bay is home to a thriving and diverse business community, including an expansive manufacturing industry, a growing transport and logistics sector, a dynamic construction industry and vibrant local retail and tourism sectors. More than 6,000 businesses operate in our city. They include some of Australia’s largest corporations, long established family owned businesses and a growing number of new, flourishing ventures.

To all entrants of our Business Awards, I thank you for sharing your stories, ideas, plans, innovation and leadership. Together you continue to make Hobsons Bay a great place to do business.

+ Mayor’s Award + Business of the Year Award

I would also like to thank our valued sponsors and our judges who so generously gave their time to support our business community, to visit with, assess and select the winners.

There were so many outstanding businesses in this year’s awards that choosing one winner for the Mayoral Award was most difficult.

I have a passion for social enterprise and there are elements of this winner’s entrepreneurial venture that are for the common good. The winning business is one with a twist. As opposed to focussing on profit, which they are not making yet, they have chosen to shine a light on Melbourne’s west – a light that is fresh and beautifully captured through vivid photography and evocative words.

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www.hobsonsbay.vic.gov.au/businessawards For more information call 9932 1000 or email business@hobsonsbay.vic.gov.au

It was with great pleasure that I had the opportunity to select the winner of the 2017 Mayoral Award, Mamma Knows West.

Congratulations to our Business of the Year Modscape, to Mamma Knows West and to all of our category winners.

Councillor Sandra Wilson Mayor of Hobsons Bay

A slice of history One of the largest and most beautiful civic spaces in the western suburbs, the Williamstown Town Hall has been at the heart of its community for almost 100 years.

The front building - including main entrance and upper level chamber dates to 1918, while the ballroom and supper room were designed and built as a later addition to the site, opening in 1927.

It has been the site for ceremony, civic business and celebration. The Sons of Williamstown A Labour of Love memorial board that hangs in the foyer also demonstrates its role in community coming together at times of great need.

The Town Hall will commence its centenary year with its new public open space fronting Ferguson Street, capping off a full restoration.

Business of the Year Modscape

Each Awards, the Business of the Year is chosen from eleven category award winners, with the winner of this prestigious award collectively decided by the judges.

Each category winner is assessed on a range of factors throughout the judging process, with consideration given to each winner’s business planning process and customer service and values, as well as their commitment to staff health and wellbeing, sustainability and innovation.

Brooklyn-based modular design and construction company, Modscape, is the deserving winner this year.

Modscape’s managing director Jan Gym says the business, founded in 2006, was formed by people who value design, innovation and sustainability.

“The owners combine their extensive experience in the design, development and construction industries to create modular homes – or masterpieces, as we’re happy to describe them,” he says.

“The span of our projects begins at tiny, off-the-grid homes and small bars through to multi-storey residential projects and education facilities. And we oversee projects, from design right through to installation.

“As a business, we try to instil a cultural attitude of passion for all our clients’ projects, and our service focus revolves around our ability to be a one-stop shop for design, construction and delivery.”

Jan reports that Modscape has plans of continued

Entries close 14 Augu Entries close 14 August Entries close 14 August CATEGORIES Home-based CATEGORIES Manufacturing and industrial New/start up business (up to 2 years old) Home-based CATEGORIES Not for profit Manufacturing and industrial services New/start up business (up to 2 yearsProfessional old) Home-based Retail and hospitality Manufacturing and industrialNot for profit Tourism Professional New/start up business (up to 2 years old)services Trades and construction Retail and hospitality Not for profit Transport and warehousing Tourism Professional services Trades and construction Retail and hospitality + Mayor’s Award Transport and warehousing Tourism + Business of the Year Award Trades and construction + Mayor’s Award Transport and warehousing + Business of the Year Award ENTER ONLINE AT: www.hobsonsbay.vic.gov.au/businessawards + Mayor’s Award + Business of the Year Award ENTER ONLINE AT: For more information call 9932 1000 or email www.hobsonsbay.vic.gov.au/businessawards business@hobsonsbay.vic.gov.au ENTER ONLINE AT: For more information call 9932 1000 or email www.hobsonsbay.vic.gov.au/businessawards business@hobsonsbay.vic.gov.au For more information call 9932 1000 or email business@hobsonsbay.vic.gov.au

Mayoral Award diversification of product development, as well as the expansion of the Brooklyn facility.

The win is one the business will undoubtedly celebrate, particularly as it meshes with Modscape’s keenness to continue their ongoing engagement with Council and their Hobsons Bay community, as it has grown and evolved in 11 years’ operation.

Jan suggests a visit to the company’s website, modscape. com.au, will show the expertise, creativity and adherence to sustainability principles employed in all their projects.

“The modular designs the team have worked on are truly impressive.”

Mamma Knows West

Created in 2013 by Sammi Dobinson and Mandy Couzens, Mamma Knows West is a website designed to showcase great places, events, classes, cafes, parks and playgrounds in Melbourne’s west.

too seriously – in turn, we have a very large and engaged audience.”

‘Mamma’ Mandy takes up the story.

‘Mamma’ Sammi says their aim is to inspire families to explore their neighbourhoods more, helping create fantastic family memories in the process.

“We’ve reviewed more than 800 places over the journey. We’ve also held Mamma Knows West community markets, hosted a Halloween party each year and put on a book festival for two years. And we’ve now branched out to east, north and south of Melbourne.

“We also love to support local businesses by providing a platform that gives them direct access to new customers,” she explains.

“We’re always thinking of new ways and places to take the ‘Mamma’ brand. It’s endless. But it will always involve servicing the community and inspiring people.

“We’ve worked really hard to get where we are now – about to hit 30,000 Facebook followers and averaging 30-40,000 website visitors every month. We are proud of our achievements and feel we’ve made a marked contribution to the west, particularly Hobsons Bay.”

“We’re genuine, we like to have a laugh and don’t take ourselves

2017 and committed to using as much fresh, local produce as possible.”

Adrian says he was inspired to enter the business awards because of his team.

Hospitality Bezirk Altona

Adrian and Cath Davey, owners and managers of Bezirk Altona café, launched their new enterprise just last August. Adrian says he talked about owning a café all his life, just like so many others – but with lots of hard work and support from family and friends he made it happen.

“They work harder than any team I’ve worked with before. They’re committed, loyal, trustworthy and, above all, dedicated to creating a fantastic experience for every customer who walks through Bezirk’s doors. We believe they deserve recognition.”

Since opening, Adrian counts as his proudest moment the reaction of Joan, an elderly local customer. “She told us we’d given her life meaning again by giving her somewhere to go to be part of her community.”

Entries close 14 August

“Of course, we’re also passionate about food,

JUDGES’ COMMENTS: “The Bezirk Altona café is to be commended for transforming a disused building in an important but quiet part of Altona into a vibrant café. Its positive business growth and expansion over a short period of time is clearly a result of its strong customer service ethos, commitment to staff training and the owners’ thorough understanding of their business and the target audience. The café’s support for local businesses and involvement in the local community is praiseworthy.”

awards gave her the chance to take stock of her business, which she started in 2011.

to fill a market gap, which will be healthy and lunchbox-friendly and, of course, all-Australian.”

Adrian says he’s passionate about quality and his community.

“Our core business is to provide the best-quality specialty coffee, food and treats to our Altona and Seaholme communities,” Adrian said. “We have a strong focus on supporting local businesses and people, which is why we specifically chose local trades for our shop fit-out and locals as staff.

CATEGORIES

Home-based Manufacturing and industrial exact growing and, inold) doing this, support New/start up business (up to 2regions years farmers and their communities, as well as create employment opportunities.”

Not for profit Lynne says Get Farmed is a boutique food Professional services company with ‘heart’. mission is to make the best quality Retail and hospitality “Our products. We work closely with farmers to Home Based source the finest ingredients and hold honesty, Tourism integrity and sustainability as core values. We sell Get Farmed foods, snacks and snack bars, as well Trades and constructionbreakfast as operating in food service.

Lynne Skene, founder of Get Farmed said she found the process of entering the business “We’re close Transport and warehousing to releasing some new products + Mayor’s Award JUDGES’ COMMENTS: Farmed is committed to networking and + Business of the Year“Get Award working with other businesses in Hobsons Bay.

Lynne has accomplished much in six years, including selling healthy, nutritious 100 per cent Australian food products direct to consumers in China via ecommerce and into Singapore. She tells how this came about.

They are launching a suite of new products in the next six months, with a continued focus on healthy eating and healthy products for children.

Get Farmed has plans for expansion in their export market from 5% to 30% over the next five years. They currently export to Singapore and China. They are heavily involved in the local community and are a great success story for home-based businesses.”

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“It was during many years in Asia, working with customers and promoting Australian food ingredients, that I fully realised the true value of our clean, green, safe food,” Lynne says. “I got the chance to produce a range of products, where authentic Australian provenance was an essential. We can trace all our ingredients to

www.hobsonsbay.vic.gov.au/businessawards For more information call 9932 1000 or email business@hobsonsbay.vic.gov.au

a major contributor to the Victorian economy, investing $850 million-plus annually in products and services from Victorian suppliers.

Manufacturing and Industrial (Large) Downer

Downer has a proud history dating back to the 1860s when John Walker & Co union foundry in Ballarat was established. Fast forward about 150 years, and Downer listed on the ASX in 1998 and occupies more than 20 sites in rail throughout Australia – including the Newport workshops.

A leading provider of transport, technology and communications, as well as utilities services, engineering, construction and maintenance, mining and rail, proudly Australian Downer has a global footprint, employing more than 20,000 people worldwide – 4000 of whom are in Victoria.

Executive General Manager – Business Development, Andrew Spink, says Downer is

“To date, Downer has invested almost $20 million to improve the historic Newport workshops site,” Andrew says. “A distinctive partnership with CRCC, the world’s largest rolling stock manufacturer, grants Downer a unique competitive edge to strengthen Victoria’s capability and attract unsurpassed investment opportunities.”

“As part of the Evolution Rail consortium contracted to deliver 65 new HCMTs, Downer is supporting the state’s lead through targeted recruitment to repurpose and realign Victoria’s automotive sector.”

JUDGES’ COMMENTS: “Downer demonstrated commitment to their staff and their facilities, very strong business planning around its expansion and future plans, including to the presentation of the site, in what is the rail precinct of the city. The business employs many apprentices in a variety of fields and has partnerships with some of the big universities in Melbourne.”

the past year in Melbourne,” Shawn says. “These include the Australian Open, Bruce Springsteen@ Hanging Rock, Moomba, Phillip Island World Superbikes – and that’s to name a few.”

Entries close 14 Augu Entries close 14 August Manufacturing and Industrial (Small-Medium)

Entries close 14 August CATEGORIES Generators are sold and serviced through the East Coast Generators brand, while the Generator Rentals Australia arm supplies hire generators, a 24-hour every day service. The rental fleet is currently being upgraded with the latest tech.

East Coast Generators

Shawn says the business recognises the benefits of accolades, such as Hobsons Bay Business Awards.

Home-based CATEGORIES Manufacturing and industrial New/start up business (up to 2 years old) Home-based CATEGORIES Not for profit Manufacturing and industrial JUDGES’ COMMENTS: “ECG is a family-owned that has (up been to 2 yearsProfessional services New/start up business business old) Home-based That ‘small generator business’ is East Coast around for 25 years. What has set this business Generators (incorporating Generator Rentals apart Retail and hospitality theirprofit forward-thinking approach to Notisfor Manufacturing andHodgetts industrial Australia). Hire manager Shawn says sustainability and adoption of technological Tourism the business has up continued its steady growth Professional services solutions – innovation in action. They currently New/start business (up to 2 years old) and development over more than 25 years, and employ 17 staff, have embraced the digital era Trades and construction Retail and hospitality enjoyedfor muchprofit success.

Not and are always looking for ways to gain efficiencies “East Coast’s power generation solutions have within the business. They are currently looking to Transport and warehousing Tourism Professional services been applied to numerous world-class events in implement a new software system.”

Trades and construction Retail and hospitality + Mayor’s Award Transport and warehousing and facilitate connections between Altona Tourism + Business of the Year Award traders. We’re also big on sharing information.

Trades and construction “We also provide to members free or low-cost + Mayor’s Award and support programs, advocate on Transport and warehousing training their behalf and facilitateof access to Council, + Business the YearandAward ENTER ONLINE AT: provide innovative low-cost marketing programs.

We have a focus on enhancing the amenity of www.hobsonsbay.vic.gov.au/businessawards + Mayor’s Award Altona for business and community in any way Not for Profit we can.” + Business of the Year Award ENTER ONLINE AT: For more information call 9932 1000 or email Altona Village A Facebook page keeps businesses and locals www.hobsonsbay.vic.gov.au/businessawards business@hobsonsbay.vic.gov.au informed about what’s on, and provides a platform Traders Association to spread the news. Email info@visitaltona.com.

Altona Village Traders Association represents ENTER ONLINE AT: au for more details. retail and commercial businesses throughout For more information call 9932 1000 or email COMMENTS: Altona and promotes Altona as a great place to JUDGES’ www.hobsonsbay.vic.gov.au/businessawards business@hobsonsbay.vic.gov.au “The strong and loyal membership base of this trade, shop and live. organisation is testimony to the association’s President Kim Walsh says the association For more information call 9932 1000 email effectiveness as anor advocate for the traders not works with its members to ensure Altona has a just in Altona Village, but in other areas also. The business@hobsonsbay.vic.gov.au reputation as a first-class shopping experience AVTA represents and advocates for its members When Ken Maher acquired a small generator business in 1991, the skills gained in 20 years with the then Victorian Railways served him well. He transferred his electrical and fitting/ engineering expertise to his new business, essential to developing specialist skills needed to cope with diesel power generation.

with a village atmosphere as an alternative to shopping malls, as well as tourism destination cred.

Several factors contribute to the association’s success, Mr Walsh says.

“We communicate with Council and government as a representative body. We promote Altona businesses to the local and wider community

“In 2013, we were awarded Victorian Rental Company of the Year”, followed up with Australian Rental Company of the Year in 2014.

These types of awards definitely help elevate reputation and credibility.”

and for improvements to the precinct that have wider community benefit, whether assisting in improving access to the beach by providing accessible wheelchairs and helping manage accessible beaches, secure lockers, and events.

They keep abreast of trends and opportunities, and manage a weekly market as an additional revenue stream.” massage, organic facials, body scrubs and wraps, spa and pregnancy packages and waxing and tanning. Group functions are also catered for, and new offers appear seasonally.

Professional Services

“All our treatments are carried out by a team of seven, each with more than 10 years’ experience. We can guarantee the most exceptional day spa service.”

She started out in 2012, in a single room at Captains Retreat in Williamstown, but therapist owner of Lavanya Spa Retreat, Lisa Gowers, found demand grew so much she launched a larger day spa in Cox’s Garden, also in the popular bayside suburb.

“Once we’d settled into our new spa surroundings, we experienced overwhelming support from the community. Now we want more and more people in Melbourne’s west to experience Lavanya.”

Lavanya Spa Retreat

Lisa says the day spa retreat offers luxurious services, with a free consultation and scenesetting experience that optimises guest relaxation.

“For the first 15 minutes of each visit, we give feet a soak and massage,” explains Lisa. “This allows us to connect with our visitor and listen to their needs and concerns. We can then offer a customised treatment for a truly satisfying experience.”

The services menu includes remedial/relaxation

Lisa plans to extend the Lavanya experience to the wider west community.

JUDGES’ COMMENTS: “In one of the most competitive award categories, Lavanya stood out with their story growing from modest beginnings, sustainable growth to a very professional operation in highly tranquil surroundings! Noted was their inventiveness, customer service commitment, confidence in the quality and customer fit for their offering. Lisa’s (owner) partner left a long term job to train up and work full time in the business with their five other staff members as it has grown.”

2017 onsite interior design consultancy. Shane and Gerri also work with customers to build specific furniture items.

Shane says they have plans to expand their designer furniture lines.

Retail

Quazi Design Since Quazi Design was founded in 2002, owners Shane and Gerri Paton have overseen and driven its evolution to now being a quirky hybrid business, specialising in vintage and custom furniture.

“I’m interested in focusing on furniture that could be termed ‘functional art’. We’d also like to work on small-space furniture for apartment dwellers.”

Shane has two experiences, one recent and another upcoming, that he’s chuffed about.

“I was able to exhibit my own art collection at Art in Public Places, a Hobsons Bay City Council event. And exhibiting our latest signature chair, “Frederick”, at this year’s Melbourne Fringe Festival will be a thrill.”

Entries close 14 August

Shane believes his store offers something ‘culturally different’.

Quazi Design’s services include restoration of vintage and industrial pieces, as well as an

JUDGES’ COMMENTS: “This business stood out for its conscious decisions, control of its vision, and active collaboration with local makers and businesses.

Furniture items are manufactured locally; there is no imported furniture in the showroom.

Collaboration is a theme, as evidenced by the Westside Cool campaign to help visitors discover other likeminded businesses. The business has benefited from exposure on The Block and use of Shane’s designs in several large fit-outs.”

This year marks the 10th anniversary of Captains Retreat B&B, Apartments & Cottages in Williamstown. Under the ownership of Melissa Meek-Jacobs, Captains Retreat has grown from one venue with five rooms – with those five rooms providing 10 room nights in its first month – to now averaging more than 330 room nights a month across nine venues.

Providing beautiful waterside boutique accommodation, Captains Retreat incorporates three renovated cottages; four modern or art deco apartments, most with water views; and a revamped two-storey home with seven en suite bedrooms, shared lounge rooms, sunny northfacing balcony and a beautiful walled garden.

a great sense of welcome from the onset and highlighted the value of exceptional customer service and making visitors feel right at home like locals. The judges were very impressed by the level of planning, analysis and awareness of the competitive environment, along with the attention to detail across every aspect of the business operation.

Melissa has built a very sustainable business and demonstrates a deep understanding of the sector she operates in.”

“We set about making our business more than just a retail shop,” he says. “We wanted people leaving our showroom with an ‘experience’. We have a random collection on display, covering vintage, industrial and custom pieces. It’s really a fusion of modern, industrial and art.

CATEGORIES

“Our vintage pieces are all original – we don’t do cheap imported replicas.”

Home-based Manufacturing and industrial Captains has won twoold) Victorian People’s New/start up business (up toRetreat 2 years Choice awards for accommodation, as well as three Hobsons Bay Business Excellence Awards, Not for profit making it a very successful decade. says she loves the way her business is Professional services Melissa just that bit different to others.

Retail and hospitality “Our staff are willing to ‘go the extra mile’, with a third of the 15-strong team more than 60 Tourism years old and another third fluent in two or more Tourism Captains Retreat B&B, languages. And we have a 24-hour duty manager Tradesandand constructionand open every day of the year.”

Cottages Apartments Transport and warehousing + Mayor’s Award COMMENTS: + Business of the YearJUDGES’ Award “Captains Retreat offered

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www.hobsonsbay.vic.gov.au/businessawards For more information call 9932 1000 or email business@hobsonsbay.vic.gov.au

Trades and Construction Modscape

When Modscape ran an open day last year, it attracted 1000 people keen to learn about the benefits of modular design and construction.

Word is clearly out.

Modscape’s managing director Jan Gym says the business, founded in 2006, was formed by people who value design, innovation and sustainability.

“The owners combine their extensive experience in the design, development and construction industries to create modular homes – or masterpieces, as we’re happy to describe them,” he says.

“The span of our projects begins at tiny, off-thegrid homes and small bars through to multi-storey residential projects and education facilities. And

we oversee projects, from design right through to installation.

“As a business, we try to instil a cultural attitude of passion for all our clients’ projects, and our service focus revolves around our ability to be a one-stop shop for design, construction and delivery.”

Jan reports that Modscape has plans of continued diversification of product development, as well as the expansion of the Brooklyn facility.

He also explains why the business was keen to enter the awards. “It’s all part of our continual engagement with Council and our Hobsons Bay community, as the business has grown and evolved over nearly 11 years.”

JUDGES’ COMMENTS: “An innovative business bringing architectural style and design to Hobsons Bay and reaching across Australia. A market leader in pre-built technology and on an impressive growth trajectory supported by their ability to attract qualified and highly motivated staff to Brooklyn and the west.

The words innovation and innovators kept coming up, and also noted is their staff care and their drive to give back to their design community.

Just impressive all round.”

IFC’s Freight Forwarding division provides multimodal international freight services to some of Australia’s biggest retail brands, while the Warehouse division provides pick, pack and distribution services throughout the country.

Entries close 14 Augu Entries close 14 August Transport and Warehousing close 14 August Entries CATEGORIES Renzo explained that IFC entered the business awards because he particularly wanted to shine a light on the team’s achievements.

IFC Global Logistics

“Our team is, and always has been, the key to our success. Next year, we plan to gain further success by building a new warehouse and taking our Freight Quoting software to market.”

Home-based CATEGORIES Manufacturing and industrial New/start up business (up to 2 years old) Home-based CATEGORIES Not for profit Manufacturing and industrial CEO Renzo Bevinetto said he’s very proud to JUDGES’ COMMENTS: services New/start up business (up to 2 yearsProfessional old) Home-based make mention of his software division.

“Its strong focus on quality assurance and Retail and hospitality Not for ensures profitthat customers can be “Our team went head-to-head with industrial some of the compliance Manufacturing and biggest and best-funded corporations to win two confident of smooth and efficient movement of Tourism Professional services New/start up ofbusiness (up to years awards for development cutting-edge industry their2goods to finalold) destinations. It is noted as solutions,” Renzo tells. “Our team developed the an impressive business, responsive to change, Trades and construction Retail and hospitality Not for profit world’s first web-based freight-tracking system, and noted in discussion was their certification Transport and warehousing and provides enterprise-level solutions for the for organic goods as a point of difference and Tourism Professional services logistics industry. underpinning their export potential.”

Trades and construction Retail and hospitality + Mayor’s Award Transport and warehousing easier-to-read, easily decoded words.”

Tourism + Business of the Year Award now planning to produce bilingual Trades and construction “We’re e-books to sell overseas. The Reading Mountain + Mayor’s Award Transport and warehousing looks ahead to a busy - but inspiring - time.”

After buying the books,of Melbourne mother ofAward + Business the Year ENTER ONLINE AT: three Sarah, reported: “My five and seven-yearolds LOVE the books. Our elder son particularly www.hobsonsbay.vic.gov.au/businessawards + Mayor’s Award loved ‘Tim and his Sisters’. Even after a short New Start Up +TheBusiness of the Year Award time, he was reallyONLINE confident reading the books ENTER AT: For more information call 9932 1000 or email Reading Mountain – more than many of his school readers. I really www.hobsonsbay.vic.gov.au/businessawards Susan Spelic, director/reading advocate of The noticed the difference.” business@hobsonsbay.vic.gov.au Reading Mountain, is on a mission to engage and support young children when AT: learning For more information call 9932 1000 or email ENTER ONLINE JUDGES’ COMMENTS: to read.

“For a business that has just commenced www.hobsonsbay.vic.gov.au/businessawards business@hobsonsbay.vic.gov.au Susan combines her 30 years’ experience in operations, The Reading Mountain really literacy intervention and teaching English as impressed with the level of planning and attention For calland9932 1000 email Secondmore Languageinformation with talented designers to detail that hasor helped ensure a successful creative story-tellers to publish and sell simple business launch into a niche market with huge business@hobsonsbay.vic.gov.au chapter books in the graphic novel form. future scale-up opportunities. Development of Established in 1991 with two staff members, IFC Global Logistics has become the largest privately owned forwarding company in Australia, employing 75 people. The company manages 99,000,000 kilograms in imports/exports, and 320,000 warehouse despatches from Altona each year.

“We have released five innovative graphic novels that are now in schools and homes around the world,” Susan says. “The simple chapter books – which young children find very cool and in line with their peers’ reading – are very engaging and supportive of young developing readers who are moving from speech to print. The books are beautifully illustrated narrative stories, using

“We also aim to gain organic certification for our Altona warehouse, which would make it one of only a few organic-certified facilities in Australia.”

a universally accessible style guide that can be used to develop the books and use of a “Dyslexicfriendly” type font, all while developing stories that any child would be happy to read, was absolutely brilliant and a reflection of Susan’s knowledge and passion in this field. It is less a matter of ‘if’ the business will become a success, but ‘when’...”

Congratulations to all winners and finalists BUSINESS OF THE YEAR: Modscape AND Mayoral Award: Mamma Knows West

HOME BASED Get Farmed – winner FATE – First Aid Training & Equipment • Frangipani Baby • Josh&Sue Gourmet Selection

PROFESSIONALS SERVICES Lavanya Spa Retreat – winner Hobsons Bay Dental • Melbourne Aces • Symbolix

HOSPITALITY Bezirk Altona – winner Candied Bakery • Kodama Coffee • Two Birds Brewing Pty Ltd

RETAIL Quazi Design – winner Eco Laundry Room • Elle & Stuart • Grace & Willow Boutique • Paddock To Table

MANUFACTURING AND INDUSTRIAL (LARGE) Downer – winner • Mobil Refining Australia Pty Ltd

TOURISM Captain’s Retreat B&B, Cottages and Apartments – winner Gourmet Pawprints • Mamma Knows West • Melbourne Seaplanes

MANUFACTURING AND INDUSTRIAL (small-medium) East Coast Generators – winner Able Industries Engineering

TRADES AND CONSTRUCTION Modscape – winner Living Solar Pty Ltd • SWC Management Pty Ltd • The Inside Project

NEW START UP BUSINESS The Reading Mountain – winner Favor & Grace • Little Ginger • Snorkel and Dive Safari • Williamstown Roasters

TRANSPORT AND WAREHOUSING IFC Global Logistics – winner Compu-stor • Jim’s Self Storage

NOT FOR PROFIT Altona Village Traders Association – winner Altona Miniature Railway Inc. • Royal Yacht Club of Victoria • Steamrail Victoria Inc. Williamstown Community and Education Centre JUDGES: Sue La Greca, Senior Manager, Western Melbourne Economic Outcomes, Department of Economic Development, Jobs, Transport and Resources • Scott Portbury, General Manager, Membership and Business Sales, Victorian Chamber of Commerce • Tina Seirlis, Sales and Partnership Manager, Destination Melbourne • Stuart Toplis, Manager Industry Sustainability, Tourism, Events and Visitor Economy Branch, Department of Economic Development, Jobs, Transport and Resources • Elizabeth Simonetti, Community Affairs Manager, NBN Co. • John Stapleton, Principal Regional Advisor, Department of Education and Training • Rosemary Jacob, Business Development Manager, Australian Retailers Association • Bruce Marshall, Coordinator Economic Development & Tourism, Melton City Council • Barbara McLure, Publisher, e~West • Justin Malkiewicz, Urban Economist, Victorian Planning Authority.

2017 2017 HOBSONS BAY

BUSINESS EXCELLENCE AWARDS

Hobsons Bay City Council 201 7 HO BSONS BAY would likeBay toBU thank all Hobsons City Council SINESS entrants, judges would likewinners, toEXC thank allENCE ELL and sponsors for being entrants, winners, judges AWBusiness ARDS part of the 2015 and sponsors for being Excellence Awards. part of the 2017 Business

Excellence Awards.

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