WRWF 2023 Glen Innes Business Award Winners
This year’s business awards saw 900+ nominations across 14 award categories, 50+ accepted award nominees and thousands of votes across 3 people’s choice categories. It was a close contest in many of the award categories, and all nominees are to be commended on their outstanding business activities.
GIBC would like to thank our panel of judges who have taken time to assess each of the nominees. Our judges were selected for their knowledge and dedication, to Glen Innes, Small Business, Communications and Economic Development.
Diane Grey - Business NSW
Sybylla Matthews - Communications Degree // Small Business Experience
Gayleen Burley - Director of People and Place (GISC)
Rob Banham - Mayor of Glen Innes
Tara Joy Hogan - Australia Community Media
Cassandra Hill - Glen Innes Business Chamber President // Small Business Owner
Katelyn Lynn - Glen Innes Business Chamber // Ex-Small Business Owner
In order of presentation we would like to congratulate the 2023 WRWF Glen Innes Business Award Winners!
Excellence in Sector: Hospitality
Winner – The Coffee Incident
Presented By – Peter Lynn
Prize Thanks To – Latenight Pottery
Awarded to The Coffee Incident for their all-around approach to good hospitality. Not only does The Coffee Incident offer quality coffee and food, their service and can do attitude is a great asset to the town. From in-store to online they have a strategic and consistent presence, especially on social media channels making their customers feel welcome and connected. What is clear to locals and visitors alike, is The Coffee Incidents dedication to the Glen Innes Community and the many initiatives and business collaborations that create excitement within our community.
Excellence in Sector: Tourism and Accommodation
Winner – Bens Fall’s Retreat
Sponsored by – Allcrete Concrete Solutions
Presented By – Paul Arandale
Prize Thanks To – Rhubarb and Rosie
Awarded to Bens Falls Retreat for their Excellence in Tourism and Accommodation. Set apart by its unique location, featuring a waterfall and eco-friendly structures, Bens Falls focuses on providing guests with a genuine, one-of-a-kind experience. Built on the values of family and love, the aim is to immerse guests in the natural beauty of the bush while experiencing the warm of the Taylor family hospitality. Both the restaurant and cabins are maintained to the highest standards while retaining their rustic charm and homey ambiance. Their all-around passion for hospitality is reflected in even their staff choices ensuring an immersive guest experience.
Excellence in Sector: Health, Beauty and Wellbeing
Winner – Moveology New England
Presented By – Kate Lynn
Prize Thanks To – The Sage and Clover
Awarded to Moveology New England for their excellence in health care in Glen Innes. Whether it's pain management, falls prevention, or post-surgery recovery, Moveology is commitment to creating a welcoming and friendly space for everyone. Their support extends beyond the clinic as they employ local community members, sponsor local sports teams, conduct house visits, and engage with aged-care facilities, ensuring that they actively contribute to the community's well-being. Continual learning and staff development is key to their high quality of service and the ability to book online or in practice makes it easy for the community to access their range of products and services.
Excellence in Sector: Construction, Trade Manufacturing & Agribusiness
Winner – CATCH Power
Sponsored By – Mr and Mrs Hill
Presented By – Geoff Hill
Prize Thanks To – The Sage and Clover
Awarded to CATCH Power for their excellence in manufacturing and installation of solar energy products. Employing more than 20 locals, CATCH Power's manufacturing operations continues to grow, driven by their dedication to easily accessible renewable energy. This is evident from their professional and easy to use website to help both homeowners and installers move to sustainable energy on a national scale. With a focus on, innovation, product versatility, quality control and employee education, CATCH Power is well-positioned to meet the increasing demand for solar energy products while maintaining the highest standards of manufacturing excellence.
Excellence in Sector: Creative and Freelance
Winner – Colours on Grey
Sponsored By – Found Regional
Presented By – Jim Barker
Prize Thanks To – Raindrops and Lollipops
Awarded to Marianne La Cour from Colours on Grey for her excellence in the Creative Arts. The art pieces sold by Colours on Grey are often unique on-of-a-kind works that are lovingly handmade, and meticulously tested before being added to her professional and up-to-date online shop. The customers experience is second to none with each order receiving the special touch of free gift wrapping, a personal handwritten note, and quick shipping within 3 business days. This attention to detail is a testament to Marianne’s dedication to her customers experience. Colours On Grey is a true reflection of the owner's Danish heritage and rural Australian surroundings, making it a standout in the industry.
Excellence in Sector: Community Organisations
Winner – GLENRAC
Sponsored By – Glen Innes Local Tree Services
Presented By – Rob Banham
Prize Thanks To – Cluck It
Presented to GLENRAC – an incorporated association that has nearly 35-years’ experience in sustainable agriculture, natural resource management and community capacity building project for excellence in supporting the Glen Innes community. In the last 5-years GLENRAC has delivered more than 400 events ranging from field days, workshops, training courses, social events and webinars and attended by over 10,000 participants. In recent years, GLENRAC has had a pivotal role in the delivery of bushfire, flood and drought response and recovery activities and in acquiring funding for future initiatives. GLENRAC is an organisation with a clear vision and commitment to a sustainable and productive future for the local Glen Innes community
Excellence in Sector: Retail
Winner – The Sage and Clover
Presented By – Troy Arandale
Prize Thanks To – Mr and Mrs Hill
Presented to The Sage and Clover for their excellence in Retail. The Sage has been operating in Glen Innes for over 8 years with the core purpose to "Help people live their healthiest life". While The Sage and Clover has made a conscious decision not to operate an online store to ensure genuine customer connection, their well-maintained online presence is clearly aligned with their key pillars - Organic, Local, Ethical, and Wholefoods. They meticulously select products that align with these principles, only stocking organic and ethically sourced items. The team, who are supported in their constant learning, play a crucial role in community connection which is also reflected through in-store events, collaboration with local businesses, and contributions to community groups.
Excellence in Sector: Professional Services
Winner – Roberts and Morrow
Sponsored By - Colin Say and Co.
Presented By – Shad Bailey
Prize Thanks To – The Local Glen Innes
Awarded to Roberts + Morrow for their provision of professional services to the Glen Innes community. Starting over 70 years ago and expanding throughout the New England region the Glen Innes team, led by partners Jane Newsome and Sam Notley, includes 17 motivated team members. Their team is incredibly diverse, with skills and knowledge that cover almost every aspect of business accounting, financial planning, tax + legal areas, superannuation, business intel and technology. The firms professionalism and dedication to high quality service is evident through their performance review and quality control checks, as well as continual learning and development.
Australian Community Media’s Best Online Presence
Winner - Raindrops and Lollipops
Sponsored By – Australian Community Media
Presented By – Tara-Joy Hogan
Prize Thanks To – New England Motor Lodge
Awarded to Raindrops and Lollipops for excellent online presence. Not only does Raindrops have active social media pages posting quality images of their products, store and behind the scenes they have embraced trends including stories, reels and tags. Thanks to an easy-to-use and well integrated online store, Raindrops has a great SEO and offers multiple payment and delivery methods. Raindrops also keep all their online profiles and contact details up to date and their online customer service experiences is well thought out and professional. Overall, their online presence compliments their bricks and mortar store, is personal, welcoming, and engaging.
Glen Innes Services Club Outstanding Business Owner
Winner – Luke and Jen Taylor
Sponsored By – Glen Innes Services Club
Presented By Pat Lonergan
Prize Thanks To – Whats for Dinner Meal Service
Awarded to Luke and Jenifer Taylor from Taylor Civil Constructions. 21 years ago, Luke started out in the construction industry and within a couple of years bought his own excavator to begin what is now Taylor Civil Construction. Over the past two decades the Taylors have grown in many different directions including quarry operations, road construction, excavation, livestock transport and automotive retail (Autopro). Employing 20 workers and a number of contractors from the Glen Innes area, Luke and Jen believe the success of their business is a reflection of the towns success and are big supporters of a number of clubs, community events and charities. In addition their constant drive for learning, ongoing development, professional reflection and maintaining relationships have allowed them to become the successful business owners they are today.
Glen Innes Business Chamber’s Outstanding Young Business Owner
Winner – Dimity Newsome
Sponsored By – Glen Innes Business Chamber
Presented By – Cassandra Hill
Prize Thanks To – Colours on Grey
Awarded to Dimity Newsome from Timbs Pharmacy. Since taking over Timbs Dimity has wasted no time implementing new products, services and technologies to improve workflow, business outcomes and the all-important customer experience in the pharmacy. Her priorities include the initiation of our pharmacist vaccination service, private consultation space, prescription ordering and storage app, the development our staff through training and formal qualifications. Beyond the workplace Dimity continues her personal development and learning through in person and online events, books and podcasts as well as maintaining a professional network of other health and business professionals.
Pathfinders Outstanding Employee
Winner – Nick Grob
Sponsored By – Pathfinders
Presented By – Rosemary Curtis
Prize Thanks To – The Coffee Incident
Awarded to Nick Grob for his role as Moveology’s Sports Medicine Accredited Physiotherapist. Beyond his regular role as physio at the studio, Nick also runs group based classes and helps with injury prevention, rehab and strapping for the Glen Innes Elks Rugby Club. Nothing is too much effort for Nick who, even when back-to-back with appointments, ensures all his clients are treated with the empathy and care they deserve. His follow-up care is second to none and his attention to detail is outstanding making him an asset not only to Moveology but Glen Innes as a whole.
Taylor Civil constructions Outstanding Young Employee
Winner – Beth Arandale
Sponsored by Taylor civil Construction
Presented by Adam Marshall MP
Prize thanks to Raindrops and Lollipops
Awarded to Beth Arandale for her customer service role with Woolworths Glen Innes. Beth has an unwavering commitment to her work, stellar customer service, and exemplary work ethic. Her steadfast dedication to her job and her colleagues has garnered acknowledgment from management and left a positive impact on the Woolworths work environment. Beth consistently pursues excellence and approaches her responsibilities with boundless enthusiasm.
Glen Innes Severn Council’s Excellence in Sustainability
Winner – The Organic T-Shirt
Sponsored By – Glen Innes Severn Council
Presented By – Bernard Smith
Prize Thanks To – The Sage and Clover
Awarded to The Organic T-Shirt for their dedication to environmental sustainability. From embracing the trend of “slow fashion” to their manufacturing processes The Organic T-Shirt ensures their customers receive the highest quality clothing while minimising the environmental impact. One of their many sustainable practices include reducing the carbon footprint by sourcing 100% Organic Cotton and Marino wool from Australian suppliers as well as affordable on-demand design and manufacturing procedures to reduce waste. Research into virtual fitting technologies and factory upgrades are also on the horizon to ensure The Organic T-Shirt remains at the fore front of sustainability.
Glen Innes’ Favourite Tradie
Winner – Spencer Peters
Presented By – Nathan Hindmarsh
Prize Thanks To – Velquip and New England Motor Lodge
Awarded to Spencer Peters of SCP Concreting for the largest number of votes in the People’s Choice favourite Trades Person.
Glen Innes’ Farmer of The Year
Winner – Michael “Pickles” Miller
Sponsored By - Nutrien Harcourts
Presented By - Jim Ritchie
Prize thanks Say and Co Rural and New England Motor Lodge
Awarded to Michael for the largest number of votes for People’s Choice Farmer.
WRWF People’s Choice Award
Winner – Allcrete Concrete Solutions
Sponsored by - White Rock Wind Farm
Presented by - Ruth Sim Brummell and Col Crosby
Prize thanks to Deepwater Bank BnB and New England Motor Lodge
Awarded to Allcrete Concrete Solutions for the largest number of votes for People’s Choice Favourite business in Glen Innes and surrounds.