Introducing Lake Mac’s best in the business

When exceptional is simply business as usual, a Lake Macquarie Business Excellence Awards finalist nod becomes the rule.

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 From tech and tourism titans to diminutive design and dance studios, this year’s peloton of progressive businesses are all candidates for yellow jerseys as leaders in their respective fields across the city.

Among the innovators making waves in the tourism trade are Silver Sun Sailing – offering one-of-a-kind overnight experiences on the water – and Women Embrace Adventure, a company tailoring bespoke, accessible outdoor adventures to women of all abilities.

Toronto Motors is in the mix for small business honours, putting low emissions technologies at the forefront as part of its esteemed customer service, competing with the crafty folks at Yard Kings Brewing Co, upbeat Maxi-Jazz Dance Studio and more.

Perennially popular fine-dining destination 8 at Trinity is a sample of the best large business smorgasbord, alongside Agility Professional Tree Service, Century 21 Novocastrian, Club Charlestown and The Disability Trust.

With 64 finalists named across 13 categories, Lake Macquarie Mayor Adam Shultz said the competition was stiff given the quality on show.

“Whether it’s a micro business with a handful of talented innovators or a major enterprise offering substantial employment opportunities for locals, every finalist is an industry leader in their own right,” he said.

“To be shortlisted from a field of more than 14,000 businesses in our city is a remarkable achievement, and I congratulate every finalist for their success and contribution to our economy, which outputs almost $33 billion per year.”

Finalists in every business category are eligible for the Origin Energy People’s Choice Award, with voting now open for the community to select its favourite from the field.

Category winners and highly commended businesses will be announced at a gala dinner at Belmont 16s on 8 August.

Winners from selected categories will progress to compete in the Business Hunter Awards later this year.

The Lake Macquarie Business Excellence Awards are proudly supported by Dantia, Origin Energy, the Newcastle Herald, University of Newcastle, Ramsay Health Care, Charlestown Square by the GPT Group, Lake Mac Holiday Parks and ATUNE Health Centres.

Visit lakemac.com.au for a full list of finalists and to vote in the Origin Energy People’s Choice Award.

Lake Macquarie Business Excellence Awards finalists: 

Category	Applicant
Outstanding Employee Sponsored by Newcastle Herald	Lachlan Baumer, Lakes Custom Computers Jade Gray, Flying Colours Education Felicia Salihbasic, LJ Hooker Belmont Jenny Witts, Cert Lane Building Certifiers
Outstanding Young Business Leader Sponsored by University of Newcastle	Trystan Auddino, Lakes Custom Computers James McKee, Cert Lane Building Certifiers Quyen Nguyen, Dental Folk Shay-Alison Perry, Sunny Music Studios
Outstanding Business Leader	Nathan Franks, Dynamic Business Technologies Janina Hamilton, Flying Colours Education Peter Haynes, Northern NSW Football Michelle Rimmington, Rimmington Legal Alyce Svensk, The OT Coach Australia
Outstanding Visitor Experience Sponsored by Lake Mac Holiday Parks	8 at Trinity Apollo International Hotel Matt Hall Racing Silver Sun Sailing Yard Kings Brewing Co Women Embrace Adventure
Employer of Choice Sponsored by Ramsay Health	Dynamic Business Technologies Flying Colours Education Hewlett Packard Enterprise Charlestown MoveAbout Therapy Services Warners Bay SM Electrical Manufacturing
Excellence in Innovation	Definiti (AI Enterprise Search) Fire Response (Innovation in Action: Foam and Hydraulics Testing) Grounded HR (The HR Link) Lakes Custom Computers
Excellence in Sustainability	Lakes Custom Computers LJ Hooker Belmont Northern NSW Football
Outstanding New Business	Blue Gum Early Childhood Intervention Funding and Grants Collective Showtime Kayaking Trustpoint Technology
Excellence in Diversity and Inclusion	CTP Pest & Building Inspections Dynamic Business Technologies LJ Hooker Belmont
Outstanding Community Org Sponsored by The GPT Group (Charlestown Square)	Awabakal Local Aboriginal Land Council CALM Inc From The Heart Marine Rescue Lake Macquarie Northern NSW Football Seeds Newcastle Swansea Meals on Wheels Inc
Excellence in Micro Business	Bella Oils Benefit Pest Management Finspire Advisers Lake Macquarie Buyers Agency Lakes Custom Computers psyborg® The Toolbox Team
Excellence in Small Business Sponsored by ATUNE Health Centres	Cramps Earthmoving Dynamic Business Technologies Ishana Well Being Centre Maxi-Jazz Dance Studio No Fuss Computer and Electronic Solutions Toronto Mowers Yard Kings Brewing Co
Excellence in Large Business	8 at Trinity Agility Professional Tree Service Century 21 Novocastrian Club Charlestown The Disability Trust