HUNTER BUSINESSES TAKE TOP GONGS AT STATE AWARDS

The region’s peak business organisation, Business Hunter has congratulated three Hunter Business Award Winners who tonight have added to their achievements in taking out the State Award in their category.

Business Hunter CEO Bob Hawes attended the virtual NSW Business Awards ceremony and was delighted by the results for business in our region.

“I’m certainly not surprised that we would do well, the calibre of our entries was exceptional,” Mr Hawes said.

“I’m simply elated for the recognition some of our most respected and innovative employers and businesses received across NSW tonight.”

Mr Hawes congratulated three winners from the Hunter that include NSW Employer of Choice, Hume Community Housing; Excellence in Small Business Winners Aussie Ark, and the ultimate individuals award category, NSW Business Leader of the Year, won by Stephen Hunt of Hunt Hospitality.

“This is an outstanding achievement by our three regional winners in categories that show the Hunter is indeed the best place to do business and a great place to work,” Mr Hawes said. 

“All these businesses are driven to make a real difference and this obviously means a little bit more this year when so many sectors of society were vulnerable. Our region has organisations that step up to make a positive impact.

“Hume Community Housing for example services more than 9,000 customers across NSW and supports their employees through promoting access to training and advancement, wellbeing coaches and employee assistance programs – frequently exceeding industry benchmarks in these measures of employee satisfaction,” Mr Hawes said.

“Aussie ARK are committed to protecting our most vulnerable creatures and after starting out as crusaders for the protection of the Tasmanian Devil from extinction, their enterprise has expanded to create a long-term future for more threatened species in Australia.”

“Stephen Hunt is a truly impressive business leader and it’s great he has been recognised at the state level. Stephen elevates the meaning of hospitality management by developing dependable relationships with all stakeholders in the Hunt Hospitality Group.

“Stephen’s team are regularly and actively mentored and empowered to communicate, ideate and create new and entrepreneurial directions for the organisation, which has helped Hunt Hospitality grow in a sustainable, community-focused way.

“I couldn’t be happier for our business community who all tuned in as finalists and were very congratulatory of the winners – it was a wonderful event.

“I also want to give a shout out to the businesses on the Central Coast, our neighbours and partners in many avenues of business – the Australian Reptile Park taking out NSW Business of the Year is impressive, and Business Hunter sends all winners our congratulations,” Mr Hawes said.