Regional Awards showcase business excellence

Despite the devastating effect of the Queensland floods, Western Downs communities last week showed that their pioneering spirit is alive and well when they joined forces to recognise the high level of business excellence within the region.

The Western Downs Regional Business Excellence Awards, staged at the Dalby Showgrounds last Friday night, showcased the many outstanding businesses who were the winners of district awards held during 2010.

While the district awards highlighted the exceptional quality of businesses within individual townships, the Regional Awards provided even greater recognition of the significance of local enterprises to the Western Downs’ economy.

Even the loss of district award records through the floods at Chinchilla failed to derail the Regional Awards, with every district award winner being honoured at the regional level.

The Regional Awards ceremony was hosted by Western Downs Mayor Ray Brown who made presentations to Gold, Silver Bronze and Encouragement award winners, as well as winning businesses in the categories of Success & Sustainability, Process Management, Improvement & Innovation, Customer & Market Focus, People, Using Information & Knowledge, Strategic Planning and Leadership.

In addition to highlighting the outstanding calibre of businesses servicing the region, the event also offered a unique opportunity for recognised businesses to network with other award winners from across the region.

Businesses to receive awards on the night were as follows:

GOLD: Adam Luck Electrical; Aland & Co Accountants (Chinchilla); Carrick Ashmead;  Kerwick's Earthworks; Miles Historical Village & Museum; Ostwald Bros; The Beauty Bar; Total Care Pets & Vets.

SILVER: Ashton's Butchery; Arrow Energy Ltd; BMO; Dalby Engine Rebuilders; Drover's Motor Inn; Eloquence; Hair @ Dalby; Horton Harvesting & Consulting; Sandalwood Feedlot; Tara Newsagency; Tu Lagoons Nursery; WHK.

BRONZE: Aland & Co Accountants (Dalby); Acacia Motel; Aspiya on Heeney; Dalby Rural Supplies; Ella Bache; Forde Builders; Mid Town Motor Inn; Miles Engineering; Miles Hardware Supplies; Miles Wholesale Meats & Smallgoods; Reilly Pastoral Company; Stimson Plumbing; Tara Neighbourhood Centre; The Apprenticeship Company.

Success & Sustainability: Ostwald Bros; Total Care Pets & Vets.

Process Management, Improvement & Innovation: Reilly Pastoral Company; RT Signs Total Sign Solutions; Stimson Plumbing; Woods Building Services.

Customer & Market Focus: Hair @ Dalby; The Beauty Bar.

People: Adam Luck Electrical; Chinchilla Kitchens; Dalby Rural Supplies.

Using Information & Knowledge: Miles State High School; Sandalwood Feedlot; Suncorp District Banking Centre; Surat Basin Homes; Total Care Pets & Vets.

Strategic Planning: Drover's Motor Inn; Miles Country Roadhouse & Caravan Park; Ostwald Bros;  Tribe's Plant Hire.

Leadership: Ashton's Butchery; Carrick Ashmead; Major Operator and Driver Training Services.

Encouragement Award: B & J Computing; Hair Razors Unisex Barber Shop; MK's Café.