Sarah Oliver
Excitement buzzed in the air at the Melton Business Excellence Awards on Thursday night, one of the biggest in-person events in Melton since the start of the pandemic.
Draped in hues of orange, red and pink, the Tabcorp park function room was filled again with a crowd of Melton locals and visitors from beyond.
Deputy mayor Lara Carli said the evening was all about celebrating the outstanding achievements of Melton’s local businesses.
“It’s your innovation and thriving entrepreneurial spirit that makes ours one of the most unique and resilient business communities in Melbourne’s west. Something we can all be proud of.”
Actor and comedian, and MC for the night Shane Jacobson, said the evening was not just an awards ceremony and that all finalists should be proud to have survived COVID.
The awards themselves looked a bit different this year, with resilience being the key word of the evening.
Cr Carli explained the awards this year reflected how businesses have not only overcome adversity from the setbacks of the pandemic, but have thrived.
“I’m very proud that so many of our local businesses embraced the opportunity to reposition and reimage how they conduct business in the face of extreme pressure.
“And not only survive but in many cases thrived in what has been a harrowing circumstances.”
From a young fashion designer creating inclusive garments, to a basketball program for people with special needs; a hairdresser who sends hair scraps off to help soak up oil spills or create wigs, to Tabcorp park itself, the winners of the eight categories were an impressive bunch.
Two businesses were inducted into the hall of fame, Exclusive Homes and Quest Apartments
The most anticipated awards, however, were the mayoral achievement and business of the year.
Helen Hatzaras, owner of Blissful Inspiration Cakes, took out the mayoral achievement award for her contribution to the community
“I’m sure the future is bright for this amazing local business,” Cr Carli said on behalf of Melton mayor Goran Kesic.
Ms Hatzaras said she didn’t think her business would be noticed.
“I can’t explain it, there’s so many amazing businesses in there,” she said.
“To put it [the award] on my socials, to encourage other people as well to take that leap of faith; sometimes you need a push.”
The business is very busy at the moment, Ms Hatzaras said, with ten weddings already booked.
“I didn’t have that last year or the year before…but winning something like this just makes other people notice my business; and it’s not just the little home business anymore, it’s noticed by my community.”
And the award everyone was waiting for, the business of the year, went to Events 720, a company who had to completely pivot their business in order to survive the pandemic.
Owners Leon and Chloe Mortimer said they were surprised to win the award but that it will be great for their business.
“It’s been a really difficult period for everyone, a lot of uncertainty,” Ms Mortimer said.
As an events business, they lost all work and quickly turned to other avenues to ensure the survival of the company.
“It’s been really great to be recognised for that hard work,” Ms Mortimer said.
Going forward, the pair are still figuring out what the future of the company will look like, but they’re no doubt going to be busy.
“It’s going to be quite hectic…we’ve effectively got three arms of the business and they’ll all continue and I think they might all take off at the same time,” Mr Mortimer said.
