Excellence on show at awards night
Dr John McVeigh praises local businesses
ON Saturday, November 10, the Toowoomba Chamber of Commerce hosted the 2018 Heritage Bank Business Excellence Awards, recognising the quality and innovation of our region’s business sector.
Federal Member for Groom John McVeigh joined more than 400 members of the Toowoomba business community to celebrate this annual showcase at the Empire Theatre.
Dr McVeigh said the event was a great way to acknowledge the contribution and importance of small business to our region.
“We have more than 16,500 small businesses in the electorate of Groom, employing more than 70,000 people,” Dr McVeigh said.
“That’s why it is so important to recognise the great work of Toowoomba and Darling Downs businessmen and women and acknowledge the crucial role they play in providing the opportunities and jobs that support the livelihoods of so many in our community.”
Dr McVeigh said this year’s awards also featured a new category to celebrate the role of
‘‘ WE ARE VERY LUCKY TO HAVE SUCH A GROUP OF COMMITTED, HARDWORKING BUSINESSMEN AND WOMEN KEEPING OUR ECONOMY STRONG.” — DR JOHN MCVEIGH
emerging leaders in the business sector.
“I was very pleased to see the introduction of the Future Leader of the Year category and I am advised there were many excellent nominees highlighting the passion and commitment of the region’s future generations of business leaders.
“I congratulate Jason Doig, the head of operations at JJ Richard & Sons for winning the inaugural Future Leader of the Year award.”
Dr McVeigh said it took guts, passion and commitment to own and operate a business.
“There are enormous pressures involved in running a business at times.
“We are very lucky in this community to have such a group of committed, hardworking businessmen and women keeping our economy strong.
“Congratulations to all nominees and winners of this year’s Business Excellence Awards and thank you for the contribution you make.”
The category award winners from the 2018 Heritage Bank Business Excellence Awards are listed below:
■ Tourism — Round Square Marketing.
■ Hospitality and Heritage Bank business of the year — Monkey Business Catering.
■ Industry — Electrical Sensations.
■ Retail — Classic Beauty Therapy.
■ Professional and business — Straney & Collier.
■ Community and not– for–profit — Kath Dickson Family Centre.
■ Innovation — Straney & Collier and Pulse Data Centre.
■ Best regional business — Tentworld.
■ Future leader of the year — Jason Doig, head of operations, JJ Richards and Sons.
■ 2018 Hall of Fame inductee — Stahmann Farms.