Time to accept nominations

Wimmera Business Awards organisers are calling for people to recognise outstanding individual employee’s performance.

Applications for apprentice or trainee of the year, and employee of the year – categories of the 2022 awards – are now open, with an employer or training organisation required to complete an application. A regional woman in business excellence award, recognising outstanding business owners or managers or executives, is also open for individual application.

The biennial ACE Radio Wimmera Business Awards return this year for the first time since 2018.

Project manager Vernetta Taylor said the public had provided more than 260 nominations to recognise businesses, organisations and community services.

From these nominations, organisers determined the awards categories to include a retail experience award, leading start-up business, excellence in hospitality, community service impact award, tourism and events and attractions outstanding experience award, trade or service specialist award, professional service industry award, excellence in agribusiness, small-scale food and beverage producer award, manufacturing and innovation award, and excellence in health and fitness and wellbeing.

A people’s choice award will go to a business or organisation that received the most nominations.

All award winners are eligible to win the major gong, the Wimmera Business of the Year award.

Mrs Taylor said businesses were invited to accept their nomination and complete an application process before August 21. Judging will then occur.

A gala dinner at Horsham Town Hall on Friday, October 21, will recognise finalists and crown winners.

Businesses, organisations and employees working in the Horsham Rural City municipality and Hindmarsh, Northern Grampians, West Wimmera and Yarriambiack shires are eligible.

Wimmera Development Association runs the awards.

Mrs Taylor said people could visit www.wda.org.au for more information.