Cootamundra’s business community stepped away from their offices, computers and iPhones for an evening to celebrate all that they contribute at Saturday’s Business Awards.
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The awards, hosted by the Cootamundra Development Corporation (CDC), seek to recognise the efforts over and above that local businesses, individual workers and community groups put in.
With a total of 73 nominations, each category was hotly contested.
CDC chair John Stephens opened proceedings thanking the full auditorium of people for their attendance.
Perhaps one of the most coveted awards is the Giraffe Award for Customer Service, won this year by the Cootamundra Butchery with a Highly Commended certificate presented to the Cootamundra Transitional Age Care Program.
Cootamundra Butchery was established in 1991 providing not only quality meat cuts but developing an extensive menu of pre-prepared meals.
They cater for functions and deliver across town, going the extra mile for customers.
Accepting the award on behalf of her husband and co-owner Anthony, Juanita Dean thanked the business community for the honour.
“Cootamundra Butchery really is more than a business to us; it is our family,” she said.
Employee Michael Taylor, who was also nominated in the Individual Dedication to Customer Service category, added his gratitude, saying a high level of customer care is important to all members of staff.
Winner of the Young Entrepreneur Award Emma Axsentieff was unable to attend the awards ceremony, however will now go on to represent Cootamundra at regional level with this particular award aligned with the NSW Business Chamber, providing a route for progression.
Ms Axsentieff, 30, is the proprietor of Ripped 24/7.
Guest speaker Simon Sutherland won last year’s Excellence in Innovation Award with business Truckie Gear.
Another NSW Business Chamber-aligned award, he was able to use the win as a platform to provide credibility to future clients.
His business has moved beyond the Truckie Bag and associated gear to creating custom-designed bags for a number of industries, including contracts with the NSW Police for general duties and highway patrol officers.
As such the business is going through a re-naming, re-branding process to be known as Next Journey.
Mr Sutherland encouraged people to continue to get involved in the Business Awards next year, saying his win was able to open doors for him, his business partner and their business.
The winners
Community Contribution: Big O Bottle Shop
Community Service: Town Library
Best Dressed Shop and Window Display: Jak + Jill
Best New Business: Corridor 37 and Highly Commended (HC) Sutton Street Store.
Young Entrepreneur Award: Emma Axsentieff of Ripped 24/7 and HC Claudia Dowell of Posh Hair & Beauty on Parker
Individual Dedication to Customer Service: Wendy Nasser
Giraffe Award for Customer Service: Cootamundra Butchery and HC to Cootamundra Transitional Age Care Program
