After just six months in operation, the Country Universities Centre Southern Downs has won the Warwick Chamber of Commerce overall award in the Warwick district business excellence awards.
Universities centre student services co-ordinator Lorna Moore said the award was so unexpected, saying, "It is such an honour to win the overall award. We only opened in July last year and have 130 registered students. The centre works with anyone in a university or TAFE course.”
The universities centre operates out of rented premises at TAFE Queensland Warwick Campus.
Mayor Melissa Hamilton sponsored the small business of the year award which was won by Matt and Dani Watts who employ five in their business Prolec Electrical, Heating & Cooling.
The runner-up award went to Hope Therapy & Consulting.
The new business of the year was sponsored by Southern Downs Regional Council and was won by Alyssa White from Ivory Websites.
At age 19, the former Warwick West and Assumption student has been in business for 18 months and has fully built 20 websites.
“I am very busy and really enjoy working on websites,” she said.
The People’s Choice Award sponsored by Scots PGC College was won by Anna Bowman and Jeff Baker from Honey and Oak Cafe.
They operate Enchanted Garden Nursery after buying the business 18 months ago.
They now operate a coffee shop and Ms Bowman said their aim was to have the best coffee in Warwick. Overall, they employ nine and were very excited to win the award.
Chairman Rod Kelly accepted the runner-up award for Akooramak.
There were 45 nominations, 61 entries, more than 160 People’s Choice nominations and 210 at the dinner at Douglas Feez Pavilion.
Warwick Chamber of Commerce president Teilah McKelvey said the calibre of entries reflected the strength and diversity of the local business landscape.
“The past 12 months have presented challenges for many businesses, from rising costs to workforce pressures," she said. "To see this level of participation and excellence across our region is incredibly encouraging.
“Our membership continues to grow from micro and home-based businesses through to some of the region’s largest employers. Each of them plays an important role in strengthening our local economy.”
