CATEGORIES AND SPONSORS 2022

The LBW Business + Wealth Advisors “Business of the Year” award is the region’s most prestigious business accolade. It recognises and celebrates the culmination of grit, hard work and outstanding achievements in business.

LBW are leading business advisors that support the ongoing growth of local organisations, large and small, and have been doing so for over 30 years.  We are committed to elevating businesses and providing them with the compliance and advisory support they need to face any challenge and prosper.

The success of the incredible businesses and individuals we work with is how we measure our own.  Developing a deep understanding of every client is at the core of our service offering, which includes; tax advice, business advisory, audit, valuation services, estate planning, superannuation and financial planning.

We partner with businesses whose values align directly with LBW’s. Innovative, accountable, respectful, curious, with a learning mindset to continually improve.   LBW is passionate about working together with the community and businesses to support them to achieve their business goals – to grow and succeed.

Business Leader of the Year

Open to all business professionals who can demonstrate successful leadership skills.

Each week over 175,000 people listen to Geelong radio! 

At Geelong Broadcasters we employ over 30 “locals” and proudly offer the region's only local newsroom to operate seven days a week. 

Start your day from 6am with Mark and Milly and drive home from 3pm with Daryl and Roxie!

bay 93.9 is a bright, fun & proudly local adult contemporary radio station targeting the 35-54 demographic. We are the number one station in Geelong for people aged 25+ 

Recognises entrepreneurial achievement among business professionals and business owners (aged between 18 and 40 years) who demonstrate vision, leadership and success.

Deakin University prepares graduates for careers of the future.

Harnessing emerging technologies to facilitate innovative, borderless, and personalised education, Deakin University's research informs their practice and impacts the communities whom they engage.

Deakin University provide opportunities for students to grow through real world experiences, such as business internships, international study tours and in leadership positions as student mentors. They operate across four campuses in Victoria – Geelong Waterfront and Waurn Ponds, Melbourne Burwood and Warrnambool, enabling a unique connectivity to metropolitan and regional students.

Open to all businesses that are operating with 1 to 3 full time or equivalent employees.

The City of Greater Geelong Economic Development team has proudly sponsored the Geelong Business Excellence Awards for 13 years.

We’re here to assist new and existing businesses to start, run or grow a business in Greater Geelong. Almost two-thirds of Greater Geelong businesses are home-based and micro-businesses. We’re thrilled to acknowledge their contribution through the 2022 Geelong Business Excellence Awards. www.geelongaustralia.com.au/business

Open to all businesses operating in the manufacturing, engineering, building or trade industries

The Southern Star Group of Companies is a privately owned, Geelong headquartered manufacturer specialising in the design, manufacture and distribution of an exclusive range of quality timber and aluminium window and door systems.

Established in 2002 and quickly becoming the fastest growing window and door manufacturer in Australia, the Southern Star Group consists of Southern Star Aluminium Windows and Doors, Canterbury Timber Windows and Doors, Homeview Timber Windows and Doors, and Southern Star Glass and Big J Doors & Fixings.

Our head office is in Geelong, with manufacturing branches in Melbourne, Adelaide, Brisbane, Cooranbong and Port Macquarie, and another 16 businesses Australia-wide manufacturing our product under license.

Open to all businesses that have not previously entered the Awards

Harwood Andrews - Connecting you to a better future.

Harwood Andrews is one of Victoria’s leading law firms, with a long-standing record of providing specialised legal services to business and individuals.
With offices in both Geelong and Melbourne we believe that making the right connections – with each other, our clients and the broader community - will create a future in which individuals, business and government thrive when connected with our judgement and expertise.

Open to all businesses that can demonstrate sustainable and circular economy initiatives that are good for the business, the community and the environment.

We are independently owned and operate the Telstra Business Technology Centre located in Fenwick Street, Geelong.   

We are passionate about the advice we give.

We value lasting customer relationships and pride ourselves on deploying solutions that work in an often confusing and misunderstood industry. 

The business has added significant ICT capability to traditional telecommunications services.  We offer Helpdesk support, cyber security solutions, complex internet solutions, business grade Wi-Fi, cloud solutions and problem-solving advice. 

We offer our business customers service and advice that has the heart and soul of a small business, backed by the might of Telstra.

Open to all businesses that can demonstrate a recognition of, and commitment to protect the health and safety of their employees and clients.

WorkSafe is Victoria’s workplace health and safety regulator. We are also the workplace injury insurer. Our job is to reduce workplace harm and improve outcomes for injured workers. This is our promise to the Victorian community and the reason we exist.

WorkSafe strives to prevent workplace injuries, illness and fatalities and for more than 35 years has raised the standard of health and safety in Victorian workplaces.

While preventing injuries is always our first preference and priority, when a workplace injury does occur, our job – and our focus – is on improving outcomes for those who are injured. Supporting them to recover and, where possible, return to safe work.

Our ambition is to be a world leader in harm prevention and recovery after a workplace injury. To do this, we are choosing to focus our efforts and resources where we can make a meaningful difference to the health, safety and well-being of Victorian workers.

WorkSafe are proud to support the Geelong Business Excellence Awards which provides significant recognition and celebration of business achievement and performance across the region.

Celebrates a business who has accepted their corporate social responsibility and promoted inclusion in the workplace, community or other area which has lead towards the enrichment of the lives of those who have a disability or are disadvantaged

We are genU, building inclusive communities in Geelong since 1952. Corporate Social Responsibility is fundamental to our organisation’s mission and vision. Across our history to today, genU provides support and services to people with disability, the unemployed, people experiencing disadvantage, students and older Australians. With over 3,000 staff and volunteers across 220+ locations nationally, we form a unique community, with one common cause to empower the clients that we serve to reach their full potential. From genU to you we say: congratulations to all of this year’s nominees and good luck!

Open to all businesses that can demonstrate a high standard of customer service using resources to the maximum efficiency while consistently looking to improve

Hardings Hardware is the first choice with all quality builders for kitchen and bathroom products. We pride ourselves on providing our customers with the very best service and product advice across Melbourne, Geelong, Sydney, Adelaide and surrounding regions.

Founded in the northern suburbs of Melbourne over 60 years ago, Hardings has grown significantly to now service all of the major east coast capitals, including Adelaide and surrounding regions.

Hardings specialise in servicing trade customers, making us the number one choice for your next project or long-term trade partner.

Open to all businesses that can demonstrate the effective use of digital tools and techniques to produce strategic, resourceful content to engage people, and create meaningful interactions

We’re Web Force 5 – your leading tech partner that builds digital platforms for business.

Recognised as an industry leader in e-commerce, marketplaces, and custom development, Web Force 5 is aligned with best in breed software providers, and are proud to be certified partners with Adobe Commerce, Marketplacer, Shopify and BigCommerce.

Whatever your business project, venture, or challenge – be it selling online, building an integrated website solution, maintaining your existing systems, or developing something completely custom – our team can deliver. 

We’re proud to be the go-to tech partner for businesses across the Geelong region, and beyond.

www.webforce5.com.au

This is for the newcomers (operating less than 3 years operation) that are just starting out but already make a significant impact.

A Geelong icon and one of the largest regional TAFEs in Victoria, The Gordon has been helping people gain real skills for more than 130 years.

Enabling greater organisational growth, efficiency and productivity through upskilling and reskilling all levels of the workforce, The Gordon passionately contributes to the success of individuals, teams and organisations, both nationally and abroad.

Working closely with secondary schools, employers, and the community in programs that deliver real benefits, we offer hundreds of accredited courses across apprenticeships, traineeships, certificates and diplomas, as well as industry tailored skill sets.

A leading, dynamic education and skills partner of choice for industry, The Gordon is delighted to support the Geelong Business Excellence Awards and foster excellence in our business community.

Open to all businesses that can demonstrate a recognition of, and commitment to deliver health and wellbeing workplace initiatives.

Barwon Health is the region’s leading health service and it aims to work together with the community to build healthier  lives   inspired by world-class standards. With our consumers at the forefront, Barwon Health excels in delivering efficient, integrated care, education and research to advance health and wellbeing for all.

Working across five pillars, Barwon Health is committed to respecting the people we work with, showing compassion always, the highest quality in everything we do, being accountable and driving innovation or better care.

Open to all businesses that can demonstrate a high level of understanding towards inclusive and accessible workplace practices

As a major employer in the Geelong region, the Transport Accident Commission is committed to influencing and supporting the communities in which their staff live and work. The TAC’s mission is to be the world’s leading social insurer. They offer financial support to people injured in transport accidents, educate the community about road safety and improve Victoria’s road network.

At the TAC they value life, make every conversation count, find a better way, today, and make the complicated simple. These values guide their behaviour,  thinking and the support they provide.

Recognises leadership through the practical application of innovative solutions

As one of the largest energy providers in Australia, Viva Energy is excited about the evolving energy future. Our refinery is part of the Geelong Energy Hub and has been a significant contributor to the local community for nearly 70 years.

While Viva Energy will continue to play an important role in delivering Australia’s traditional fuels, we are also actively exploring how we will meet this country’s energy needs in the future as we all make the transition to more sustainable energy sources.

We are proceeding with plans to build Australia’s first public hydrogen refuelling station for heavy vehicles, are developing a solar farm, and hope to establish a gas terminal to support the transition to a renewable and more sustainable energy future.

At Viva Energy we help Australians reach their destination – now and in the future.

Open to all businesses that are operating with 21 or more full time employees. Automatic entry by number of employees.

EML is the injury management partner of choice for employers and government agencies. For more than 110 years, Australians have turned to us for our claims expertise and personalised support in helping injured workers recover and return to work. We a team of almost 3,000 employees Australia-wide who are driven by our mission: we help people get their lives back.

EML is proudly Australian owned and operated. As part of our Mutual Benefits program, we invest a significant part of our profits each year to fund research and develop training and resources to help employers create safer workplaces and to improve recovery and return to work outcomes for workers.

By 30 June 2022, we will have invested $100 million in Mutual Benefits over the past 10 years, delivering products and services to help our customers and the broader community.

EML started operations in Victoria in July 2016, after being appointed an agent of WorkSafe Victoria, and since we’ve grown to employ 430 people across our offices in Melbourne’s CBD and Geelong. We provide service and support to more than 24,000 large, medium and small employers in Victoria, including Cotton On and McColls Transport in Geelong.

Open to all Geelong based businesses that operate 10 kilometres or more from Geelong CBD.

Gartland has been a trusted partner in the Geelong property market for decades. As a specialist real estate agency renowned in Geelong for expert residential and commercial services, they live and breathe property. Their approach is nimble, customised, caring and high-end, with a team of highly specialised staff on hand and ready to help you navigate your property journey.

Open to all retail businesses that sell commodities directly to consumers

Roderick Insurance Brokers (RIB) is a locally owned, family business operating from offices in Geelong and Werribee.

Led by Managing Director, Keith Roderick, who has been operating the business since 1986, the business began as a small family business and over 35 years it has grown into one of the largest regional brokerages in Victoria. RIB employ a team of highly experienced and qualified staff who are on hand to provide advice on all of your insurance needs.

Roderick Insurance Brokers (RIB) strive for excellence in every aspect of their business.

Open to all businesses that are operating with 4 to 20 full time or equivalent employees. Automatic entry by number of employees.

Bendigo Bank is committed to providing a personalised and considered approach to business clients.

Consistently rating high in satisfaction and trust, the team works hard to ensure that their 2 million customers are provided with the right financial solution and ongoing support across 500 Australian communities.  

Bendigo Bank understands the important role that they play in making small businesses a success and with access to 150 experienced staff across Geelong, your business can keep stimulating economic growth, strengthening communities and providing opportunities for employment knowing that there is a trusted business taking care of your banking.

Open to all businesses that operate in the hospitality and tourism industry

The tourism industry is made up of passionate people delivering memorable experiences every single day.

Tourism Greater Geelong and The Bellarine is the Regional Tourism Board for the region that exists to build a resilient, sustainable and valued visitor economy through leadership, promotion and development. Opportunities are provided to businesses in the sector to grow, receive support and, importantly, connect with others in the industry to collaborate to sustainably grow product, visitation and yield.

At Tourism Greater Geelong and the Bellarine, we believe there aren’t many places Greater Than Geelong and The Bellarine. Let’s celebrate it together.

By 2047, Greater Geelong will be internationally recognised as a clever and creative city-region that is forward looking, enterprising and adaptive and cares for its people and environment.

Representing the voices of more than 16,000 members of our community, Greater Geelong: A Clever and Creative Future is a guide for all levels of government, community organisations, businesses and anyone wanting to make a genuine contribution to our city-region.

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