Excellence in Agribusiness and Food Manufacturing

Recognising businesses for their outstanding achievement in — and contribution to — the food, beverage and agribusiness industries in and around the Shire. This award is open to businesses that grow and/or produce food, fibre, animal husbandry and beverage related products (e.g. livestock, vignerons, wool, horses & flowers).

Excellence in Manufacturing, Trades, Retail and Innovation

Designed to recognise manufacturers that display innovation and best practice in the creation and delivery of a product. The primary focus of the award is to acknowledge continuous improvement, best practice, creativity and innovation within the Macedon Ranges.

On the tools, these businesses keep our community in operation. This award is designed to recognise trade businesses that require on the job or tertiary level training. Applicants for this category can come from industries that include beauticians, carpenters, car or bicycle mechanics, electricians, hairdressers, landscapers and plumbers as well as traditional manufacturing.

Excellence in Health, Wellness and Care

This award recognises businesses that provide excellence in health and allied health services. An applicant’s business should function in health care by providing an aspect or range of diagnostic, technical, therapeutic and direct patient care and support services. Examples include businesses that specialise in medicine and/or operate in health as an audiologist, dietitian, exercise physiologist, nutritionist, occupational therapist, optometrist, physiotherapist, podiatrist, psychologist, speech pathologist and/or provide other similar or related professional health services. This award recognises innovators from any wellness sector – spa, fitness, nutrition, workplace wellness, integrative medicine and preventive health.

Small and Thriving

This award recognises established small businesses that continue to grow, support staff and truly connect with customers. Applicants for this category must be businesses with 1 to 5 full- time equivalent (FTE) employees.

Excellence in Professional Services
Designed to recognise professional services offering B2C/B2B solutions and customised, knowledge-based services. Some example businesses include those operating in legal services, real estate, accounting and financial advisory, architecture, engineering, information technology and consulting. Applicants for this category should have an established business and strong client base.

Excellence in Tourism and Visitor Experience
These businesses know how to hustle and bring business to the Shire. This award recognises businesses in the arts, attractions, cultural tourism, accommodation, entertainment, festival space. Applicants for this category must have held a local event or provide an attraction that enhances the profile, awareness or appeal of the destination, created an economic impact, increased visitation and/or had local community involvement.

Young and Professional Award
This award focusses on young people making waves in our business community. Applicants category must be aged from 16 to 35 and can come from any industry sector and working or operating at any level of business including trainees and apprentices.

** Eligible businesses can apply for this award category in addition to their specific category.

*** Applicants for this category must meet the age criteria as at Wednesday 10 August 2022.

Champion of social, environmental or sustainability principles
For organisations where a positive social impact is at the core of their purpose. They are applying innovative solutions to address social or environmental issues and better the community we live in. Open to not-for-profit, social enterprise and profit-for-purpose organisations operating in the Macedon Ranges Shire.

Designed to recognise businesses that demonstrate leadership and commitment to sustainable business practices. Applicants should have a commitment to sustainable products and practices, support other businesses or consumers through the sale of sustainable products, have developed innovative methods integrated into their business that allow them to limit their own or others impact on the environment, remain competitive and guarantee their viability. Examples include businesses that sell or have integrated sustainable products, projects, programs, systems and technologies that minimise their environmental impact.

** Eligible businesses can apply for this award category in addition to their specific category.

COVID-19 Business Adaptability
This award celebrates a small business or company that has provided an act or service that has effected positive change during the COVID-19 pandemic. It recognises new ways of working to adapt to the unprecedented circumstances during restrictions and lockdowns.

Applicants will need to demonstrate that the act or service is in response to the pandemic. The award includes (normally) paid acts or services that have been offered free of charge.

Examples of eligible acts or services include providing new training or employment opportunities, enhancing community connectivity, implementing new customer service strategies to provide and promote inclusion or demonstrating leadership that promotes community positivity.

People's Choice Award

(Not available to be applied for – open to all finalists in each category)

Following the judging process, all finalists will automatically be eligible for the People’s Choice Award with a focus on excellence in customer service. This award requires a public voting process.

Business of the Year

(Not available to be applied for – judges decide)

This award recognises a business that has achieved outstanding results, business performance and management and demonstrates all- round excellence in business. To be eligible for this award, businesses need to be a finalist in an award category