MANY high achievers in the realm of commerce were honoured when the 2018 Millicent Business Community Association Outstanding Business Awards were announced at a gala cabaret on Saturday.
The Millicent War Memorial Civic and Arts Centre was filled to near-capacity as a gathering of 240 saluted the achievements of numerous firms and individuals.
Interest was high in the identity of the winners chosen by a panel of three judges from written nominations submitted by the public.
It is the eighth year the MBCA has given out such accolades and there were an impressive 170 nominations.
These five category winners received decorative trophies as well as advertising packages donated by The South Eastern Times and THE-FM.
The Millicent Rotary Club again sponsored the young employee of the year award and it was presented by past club president Ken Haines.
The MBCA committee presents the community spirit award as a way of recognising businesses which undertake generous and kind acts and the 2018 recipient is proprietor Fiona Telfer and her team at South East Property Sales and Management.
The award is sponsored each year by Foster’s Foodland in memory of family patriarch “Bob” Foster, who successfully ran retail businesses in Rendelsham and Millicent for 67 years until his death in 2014.
Each year, Wattle Range Mayor Peter Gandolfi announces another long-established entrant to the MBCA Hall of Fame and the 2018 inductee is Mac Ford.
The dealership also has the Suzuki, Jaguar and Land Rover franchises and the accolade was accepted by dealer principal Angus McDonald.
In a light-hearted moment, Mr Gandolfi recalled he and Mr McDonald had been teammates together in a Millicent basketball team around 30 years ago.
“We were known as the Falcons back then and perhaps we would be known as the Range Rovers now,” joked Mr Gandolfi.
The master of ceremonies was retired ABC regional manager and Limestone Coast Regional Development Australia deputy chairman Alan Richardson.
He made a number of tongue-in-cheek references during the night to Millicent’s unique shopping hours status.
An honoured guest was new Liberal member for MacKillop Nick McBride and he told the gathering he was committed to representing the interests of Millicent in State Parliament.
Millicent Business Community Association president Lee Morgan commended all winners and thanked the sponsors, judges and those who assisted in other ways.
He said much of the success of the awards night was due to the organisational efforts and project management skills of MBCA secretary Marg Chapple.
There was a warm round of applause when Mr Morgan paid this tribute and murmurs of delight when Ms Chapple said she was willing to fill the same role in 2019.
The organisers were also congratulated by major sponsor Dennis Jackson, general manager of The South Eastern Times, The Border Watch and The Pennant.
“This night is all about you – the nominees,” Mr Jackson said.
“You have been recognised for your efforts.”
At the conclusion of the formalities, renowned local party band Juicy X filled the dance floor for its first bracket.
A supper was supplied by eight local businesses and then Juicy X again ensured the dance floor was crowded well into the night.
