Categories and Sponsors 

The LBW Business + Wealth Advisors “Business of the Year” award is the region’s most prestigious business accolade. It recognises and celebrates the culmination of grit, hard work and outstanding achievements in business.

 

LBW are leading business advisors that support the ongoing growth of local organisations, large and small, and have been doing so for over 30 years.  We are committed to elevating businesses and providing them with the compliance and advisory support they need to face any challenge and prosper.

The success of the incredible businesses and individuals we work with is how we measure our own.  Developing a deep understanding of every client is at the core of our service offering, which includes; tax advice, business advisory, audit, valuation services, estate planning, superannuation and financial planning.

We partner with businesses whose values align directly with LBW’s. Innovative, accountable, respectful, curious, with a learning mindset to continually improve.   LBW is passionate about working together with the community and businesses to support them to achieve their business goals – to grow and succeed.

Business Leader of the Year

Celebrates a business professional who has demonstrated successful leadership skills.

 

bay 93.9 is an independent, family-owned radio station and proud partner of the GBEA.

 

We are passionate about local business and fuelling our client’s success. With an all-local live on-air team and what we believe may be the best resourced newsroom in the state, we work hard to deliver Geelong, the Bellarine and Surf Coast entertaining, informative, relatable radio; the best feel-good music from the 80’s; unbiased, ethical news; and client messaging that delivers effective, measurable results. bay 93.9 is the #1 station 40+ in this region. 

 

Recognises entrepreneurial achievement among business professionals and business owners (aged between 16 and 40 years) who demonstrate leadership, vision and success.

Deakin University prepares graduates for careers of the future.

As one of Australia’s most progressive universities, Deakin leads in the innovative use of digital technologies and online learning, blending this capability across distinctive campus precincts in Geelong, Melbourne and Warrnambool to provide inclusive education.

Balancing excellence in research and innovation with an education experience that is consistently held up as one of the best in the country, Deakin has been rated number one for student satisfaction in Victoria for 14 consecutive years.

The University’s enduring partnerships provide opportunities for students to develop through real-world experiences including business internships. The achievements of more than 300,000 Deakin alumni across the globe are the best measure of our success.

Recognises a business that operates with 1 to 3 full time or equivalent employees.

The locally owned Times News Group publishes free local news across regions including the Surf Coast, Greater Geelong, the Bellarine, Ballarat, Bendigo and Byron Bay.

Through weekly newspapers, online, and social media, Times News Group keeps its extensive print and digital audience informed about news and hyper-local content.

Free across print and digital platforms, Times News Group's channels are the perfect way for businesses to reach and engage with a large audience.

When local is the new global, we deliver what's good about where we live.

Celebrates a business operating in the manufacturing, engineering, building or trade industries

Southern Star Windows & Doors is a privately owned, Geelong headquartered manufacturer specialising in the design, manufacture and distribution of an exclusive range of quality timber and aluminium window and door systems.

 

Established in 2002 and quickly becoming the fastest growing window and door manufacturer in Australia, Southern Star Windows & Doors consists of the brands Southern Star Aluminium Windows and Doors, Canterbury Timber Windows and Doors, and Southern Star Glass.

 

Our head office is in Geelong, with manufacturing branches in Melbourne, Adelaide, Brisbane, Cooranbong and Port Macquarie, and another 16 businesses Australia-wide manufacturing our product under license.

Celebrates a business that have not previously entered the Awards

Harwood Andrews - Connecting you to a better future.

 

Harwood Andrews is one of Victoria’s leading law firms, with a long-standing record of providing specialised legal services to business and individuals.
With offices in both Geelong and Melbourne we believe that making the right connections – with each other, our clients and the broader community - will create a future in which individuals, business and government thrive when connected with our judgement and expertise.

 

KENSTRA, A Team of Telco and ICT Trusted Professionals. Ready For Your Business.

 

Kenstra is the only accredited Telstra Enterprise Partner located in Geelong.

 

We also partner with world class vendors such as Microsoft, Cisco and Fortinet enabling the implementation of the latest ICT solutions for our customers across Australia.

 

The team specialises in solution design and implementation of Microsoft Modern Workplace, Corporate Networking, Mobiles and Telephony Solutions.

 

We pride ourselves on providing genuine advice and solutions with integrity and value lasting customer relationships. Whether you are looking to change your existing business practices or require expert advice, we are here to assist.

 

Recognises a businesses that has demonstrated an understanding of, and commitment to protecting the health and safety of their employees and clients.

WorkSafe is Victoria’s workplace health and safety regulator. We are also the workplace injury insurer. Our job is to reduce workplace harm and improve outcomes for injured workers. This is our promise to the Victorian community and the reason we exist.

 

WorkSafe strives to prevent workplace injuries, illness and fatalities and for more than 35 years has raised the standard of health and safety in Victorian workplaces.

 

While preventing injuries is always our first preference and priority, when a workplace injury does occur, our job – and our focus – is on improving outcomes for those who are injured. Supporting them to recover and, where possible, return to safe work.

 

Our ambition is to be a world leader in harm prevention and recovery after a workplace injury. To do this, we are choosing to focus our efforts and resources where we can make a meaningful difference to the health, safety and well-being of Victorian workers.

 

WorkSafe are proud to support the Geelong Business Excellence Awards which provides significant recognition and celebration of business achievement and performance across the region.

 

Celebrates a business which has accepted their corporate social responsibility to conduct their activities ethically and which works to improve the quality of life in their local communities.

Geelong Galvanizing has participated and invested in the lives our communities since our establishment in Corio in 1991. Cultural, medical, educational, artistic, sporting, philanthropic, and community outreach facilities and programs all receive ongoing support from Geelong Galvanizing and its staff. Our corporate social responsibilities inform the way we engage with our communities, and we encourage others to take an active role in improving the lives of those around them. Geelong Galvanizing would like to acknowledge the efforts of all businesses who do their part in their communities.

Celebrates a business that has demonstrated a high standard of customer service using resources to maximum efficiency while consistently looking to improve.

Spirit Super is an Industry SuperFund with $29 billion funds under management and over 350,000 members across Australia. We’re here to help hard-working Australians get the most out of their super. We offer low fees, free advice and a focus on competitive investment returns. We take great pride in offering excellent service no matter your life stage or retirement goals. When it comes to super, it all starts with Spirit.

 

*Figures as at 27 February 2024. 

Advice on Spirit Super is provided by Quadrant First Pty Ltd (ABN 78 102 167 877, AFSL 284443) and the issuer is Motor Trades Association of Australia Superannuation Fund Pty Ltd (AFSL 238 718, ABN 14 008 650 628) the trustee of Spirit Super (ABN 74 559 365 913). Consider the PDS and TMD at spiritsuper.com.au/pds before making a decision.

Recognises businesses that has demonstrated the effective use of digital tools and techniques to produce strategic, resourceful content to engage people, and create meaningful interactions.

We’re Web Force 5 – your leading tech partner that builds digital platforms for business.

 

Recognised as an industry leader in e-commerce, marketplaces, and custom development, Web Force 5 is aligned with best in breed software providers, and are proud to be certified partners with Adobe Commerce, Marketplacer, Shopify and BigCommerce.

 

Whatever your business project, venture, or challenge – be it selling online, building an integrated website solution, maintaining your existing systems, or developing something completely custom – our team can deliver. 

 

We’re proud to be the go-to tech partner for businesses across the Geelong region, and beyond.

 

www.webforce5.com.au

Celebrates a newcomer (operating less than 3 years) that just started out but has already made a significant impact.

A Geelong icon and one of the largest regional TAFEs in Victoria, The Gordon has been helping people gain real skills for more than 130 years.

Enabling greater organisational growth, efficiency and productivity through upskilling and reskilling all levels of the workforce, The Gordon passionately contributes to the success of individuals, teams and organisations, both nationally and abroad.
 

Working closely with secondary schools, employers, and the community in programs that deliver real benefits, we offer hundreds of accredited courses across apprenticeships, traineeships, certificates and diplomas, as well as industry tailored skill sets.
 

A leading, dynamic education and skills partner of choice for industry, The Gordon is delighted to support the Geelong Business Excellence Awards and foster excellence in our business community.

Celebrates a business that has demonstrated a recognition of, and commitment to deliver health and wellbeing workplace initiatives.

Barwon Health is the region’s leading health service and it aims to work together with the community to build healthier  lives   inspired by world-class standards. With our consumers at the forefront, Barwon Health excels in delivering efficient, integrated care, education and research to advance health and wellbeing for all.

Working across five pillars, Barwon Health is committed to respecting the people we work with, showing compassion always, the highest quality in everything we do, being accountable and driving innovation or better care.

Celebrates a business that has demonstrated a high level of understanding towards inclusive and accessible workplace practices.

At the Transport Accident Commission (TAC), our purpose is to care for the lives of everyone who travels on Victoria’s roads and our mission is to champion road safety and help those injured on our roads to get their lives back on track.

 

Through our sponsorships and other initiatives, we are focused on finding strategic or innovative ways to improve the support that people affected by road trauma receive within the community.

 

We are proud to support the Geelong Business Excellence Awards and spotlight businesses who demonstrate exemplary inclusion and accessibility practices.

Recognises leadership through the practical application of innovative solutions.

As one of the largest energy providers in Australia, Viva Energy is excited about the evolving energy future. Our refinery is part of the Geelong Energy Hub and has been a significant contributor to the local community for nearly 70 years.

While Viva Energy will continue to play an important role in delivering Australia’s traditional fuels, we are also actively exploring how we will meet this country’s energy needs in the future as we all make the transition to more sustainable energy sources.
 

Significant developments under way in Geelong include plans for an Ultra-Low Sulphur Gasoline processing plant that will help produce cleaner fuel, a major tank storage project that will improve Australia’s fuel security, and construction of Australia’s first public, commercial-scale, hydrogen refuelling station for heavy vehicles.
 

At Viva Energy, we help Australians reach their destination – now and in the future.

 

Recognises a business that operates with 21 or more full time employees. 

EML Group (EML) is the injury management partner of choice for employers and government agencies. For more than 110 years, Australians have turned to us for our claims expertise and personalised support in helping injured workers recover and return to work. The team of over 3,500 employees Australia-wide are driven by our mission: we help people get their lives back.

 

 EML is proudly Australian owned and operated. Through the Mutual Benefits program, a significant part of their profits is invested each year to fund research and develop training and resources to help employers create safer workplaces and to improve recovery and return to work outcomes for workers.

 

 Since 2012 over $121 million has been invested in Mutual Benefits, delivering products and services to help our customers and the broader community. Over the past 10 years, $17 million has been invested in Victoria alone.

 

EML started operations in Victoria in July 2016, after being appointed an agent of WorkSafe Victoria, and since then we’ve grown to employ 520 people across our offices in Melbourne’s CBD and Geelong. We provide service and support to more than 52,000 large, medium and small employers in Victoria, including Cotton On and McColls Transport in Geelong.

Recognises a business who strives to create a workplace that maximises the full potential of their people by providing opportunities to grow and advance them both personally and professionally.

The City of Greater Geelong has proudly sponsored the Geelong Business Excellence Awards for 15 years. 

We’re thrilled to support a brand new category in 2024, the Employer of Choice award.

 

This award recognises businesses that are committed to investing in the growth of their people, which is crucial for business success.

The City’s committed to helping businesses in our region to grow and thrive.  Our support for business includes training programs, networking events, economic data, investment facilitation and industry development.

 

Local business success is a key driver of our economy and is critical to delivering Greater Geelong’s community-led vision for a clever and creative future. There are more than 21,500 small businesses in Greater Geelong, and they make up around 97 percent of all businesses. It is estimated that small business in Greater Geelong generate around $9 billion annual revenue and employ the majority of our 144,000 workforce. 

 

Congratulations to all the amazing 2024 finalists.

 

 

Recognises a retail business that sells commodities directly to consumers.

Roderick Insurance Brokers (RIB) is a locally owned, family business operating from offices in Geelong and Werribee.
 

Led by Managing Director, Keith Roderick, who has been operating the business since 1986, the business began as a small family business and over 35 years it has grown into one of the largest regional brokerages in Victoria. RIB employ a team of highly experienced and qualified staff who are on hand to provide advice on all of your insurance needs.
 

Roderick Insurance Brokers (RIB) strive for excellence in every aspect of their business.

Recognises a small business that operates with 4 to 20 full time or equivalent employees. 

Envisage HR Solutions are HR, Recruitment and Training Specialists who work in all industries with start-up, small and medium sized businesses, operating locally and nationally.  Envisage HR Solutions offer an authentic and individualised service, guiding businesses through challenges and celebrating their triumphs along the way.  The Envisage team support businesses through all phases of business evolution, and will manage the employee life cycle from recruitment, onboarding and performance management - to their exit.  We provide contemporary thought leadership, and develop hands-on leadership skills, through leadership mentoring and structured training programs for CEO’s to emerging leaders. The Envisage suit of services will enhance and empower your team whilst mitigating people-related risks to your business.  By partnering with us, you will have a team focused on optimizing your business performance through your people.

 

Recognises a business that operates in the hospitality and tourism industry.

The tourism industry is made up of passionate people delivering memorable experiences every single day.

 

Tourism Greater Geelong and The Bellarine is the Regional Tourism Board for the region that exists to build a resilient, sustainable and valued visitor economy through leadership, promotion and development. Opportunities are provided to businesses in the sector to grow, receive support and, importantly, connect with others in the industry to collaborate to sustainably grow product, visitation and yield.

 

At Tourism Greater Geelong and the Bellarine, we believe there aren’t many places Greater Than Geelong and The Bellarine. Let’s celebrate it together.

 

PARTNERS

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