Blue Mountains News

The awards are run annually by the Blue Mountains Regional Business Chamber and the winners of 9 of the award categories automatically progress to the NSW Business Awards.

The evening commenced with pre-dinner drinks in the foyer and on the lawn as the heat of day dissipated and finalists began to relax and unwind. Guests were entertained by Allegra Dunning, a magnificent local singer songwriter who already has an impressive track record of live performances at just 10 years of age! Local dancers from LKM Dance Studios opened proceedings in the Grand Ballroom to the delight of the 250 guests.

Lawrence Atkinson from Trumans Chartered Accountants ably steered proceedings throughout the course of the evening as MC. Romola Hollywood attended as Alternate Deputy Mayor and provided the Welcome and Acknowledgement of Country. Lawrence Atkinson and Trish Doyle MP, State Member for the Blue Mountains both spoke on the theme for the evening, The Gift of Success, but it was the words of entertainer Neil Duncan from Three Handed Beat Bandits, who spoke of his devastation at losing his left arm to cancer and his journey back to play his beloved saxophone and other musical instruments, that brought tears to the eyes of his captivated audience.

Two handed John Stuart and single-handed Neil Duncan make up Three Handed Beat Bandits who provided the musical entertainment for the rest of the evening which saw dancers swinging on the dance floor until the end of the evening.

Blue Mountains Regional Business Chamber President Mark Barton was thrilled with how the night came together. "The Gift of Success was the theme for this year’s awards and as the President of the Chamber I can honestly say that the emotion in the room from the get go was electric."

"The importance of this event is to encourage and celebrate our Blue Mountains Businesses and to test themselves against their business plan. This then affords them the opportunity to see their strengths and weaknesses. They are then able to compare themselves with their peers by entering the Blue Mountains Awards process. This allows our businesses a yearly self-check and an opportunity to improve their efforts, making a strong and viable business while developing their growth."

"Our Harry Hammon winner this year Louisa Forrest of Lavenderia, told her story about an 8 year commitment, developing her business while being a single mum. Congratulations Louisa in taking out 4 awards on the night and all of our votes are with you in the State Business awards along with the other 11 winners on the 23^rd of November. Clearly, your “Gift of Success” is your determination to succeed."

BlueMountainsAustralia.com was pleased to once again sponsor the People's Choice Award for 2018. The People's Choice Award is the only award where businesses are nominated for the award by their customers, rather than the business entering a submission. Any Blue Mountains business can be nominated for the award and anyone in the world can nominate a Blue Mountains business. This year's results were very  close and we were honoured to not only hand an award to the winner, but also a Highly Commended to the runner up.

The 2018 winners are:

Excellence in Small Business Award sponsored by Trumans Chartered Accountants
Winner: Mountain Whispers

Excellence in Business Award sponsored by Blue Mountains Economic Enterprise
Winner: Kirinari Community Services

Excellence in Sustainability Award sponsored by Blue Eco Homes
Winner: Lavenderia NappyCare

Excellence in Social Enterprise Award sponsored by Theo Poulos Real Estate
Winner: Toolo Pty Ltd

Start Up Superstar Award sponsored by Western Sydney Business Centre
Winner: Four36
Highly Commended - Alleviate Pain

Creative Industries Award sponsored by Blue Mountains City Council
Winner: illuninart 

Retail Business Award sponsored by Dare Disability Support
Winner: Botanical Art
Highly Commended -  Dryridge Estate

Customer Service Award sponsored by Digital Age Lawyers
Winner: Mountain Whispers
Mountain Whispers also entered the Hall of Fame for this category.

Excellent in Innovation Award  sponsored by Belle Property Group
Winner: Lavenderia NappyCare

Employer of Choice Award sponsored by Greystanes Disability Services
Winner: Murray’s Glenbrook Cellars

Business Services Award sponsored by Champ Enterprises
Winner: Blue Mountains Computers

Home Based Business Award sponsored by Susan Templeman MP
Winner: Vitualetic 

Excellence in Accommodation Award sponsored by 89.1 Radio Blue Mountains
Winner: Dantosa Retreat

Employee Inclusion Award sponsored by Mountains Community Resource Network
Winner: Urban Caves

Hospitality Award sponsored by The Fairmont Resort
Winner: Mountain Whispers

Outstanding Young Employee sponsored by Blue Mountains Gazette
Winner: Natalie Allen - Blackheath Family Medical Centre

Outstanding Young Entrepreneur sponsored by Blue Mountains Regional Business Chamber
Winner: Louisa Forrest - Lavenderia NappyCare

Outstanding Business Leader Award sponsored by Women with Altitude
Winner: Kate Gunn, Balance! Healthcare Pty Ltd

Congratulations to Hall of Fame recipients 2018:
Mountain Whispers and Beaut-T-Ful Bags

People's Choice Award sponsored by BlueMountainsAustralia.com
Winner: Alleviate Pain
Highly Commended - 20 Mile Hollow

Harry Hammon Business of the Year sponsored by Scenic World
Winner: Lavenderia NappyCare

Lavenderia NappyCare had a highly successful night winning three award categories as well as the prestigious Harry Hammon Business of the Year award. Fresh Air Daily would like to wish every success to Lavenderia NappyCare, Balance Healthcare, Toolo Pty Ltd, Mountain Whispers, Kirinari Community Services, Murray's Glenbrook Cellars and Four36 at the NSW Business Awards.

These highly successful businesses will do the Blue Mountains proud.

Photos by Brigitte Grant Photography