Awards to celebrate businesses

Businesses from across the Grampians and Pyrenees will be the subject of celebrations at St Arnaud later this year.

Organisers of Grampians Pyrenees Business Awards have called for nominations for the awards, which will culminate with a gala presentation in St Arnaud Town Hall on October 27.

Northern Grampians Shire, Ararat Rural City and Pyrenees Shire councils join forces for the biennial event, which Northern Grampians will host this year.

Independent renewable power producer Neoen, which is developing Bulgana Wind Farm near Great Western, is the major sponsor.

Officials launched the awards in underground cellars at Great Western’s Seppelt Winery, where Northern Grampians mayor Tony Driscoll said recognising business achievement in the community was a pillar of a council commitment to nurture investment in the region.

“Businesses are the lifeblood of regional communities such as ours. They invest in our region, they offer employment in our region and they generate tourism for our region,” he said.

“Therefore, it is vitally important that we recognise those who stand out in the diverse and vibrant business community we have here in the Grampians-pyrenees region.”

Online nomination forms and category details are available at www.grampianspyrenees.com. Hard copy forms are available at Northern Grampians Shire Council offices, libraries and visitor information centres.

A panel of judges will assess written applications before finalists are announced in early October. People seeking more information can visit website www.grampianspyrenees. com.