On Friday October 17th, in the Rotary month of Vocational Service, the Rotary Club of Yarrawonga - Mulwala hosted the prestigious Business Excellence Awards in Yarrawonga for the third year running.

This event is held in conjunction with the Shire of Moira but is totally organized in Yarrawonga & Mulwala by the Rotary Club. The event seeks to recognize and celebrate excellence in seven categories

• Customer Service
• Retail Excellence
• Business Excellence (Privately Owned)
• Business Excellence (Corporate, Semi Government & Non Profit)
• Tourism / Hospitality
• Industrial / Agriculture
• Apprentice or Trainee of the Year

Entry forms are delivered to every business in the town and a follow up visit by a Rotarian ensures over 80 entries with over 100 nominations. While the nominations for Customer service come from members of the public, other nominations are encouraged to make the entries themselves and many comment that it provides them with a tool to review their business practice at the same time.

Sponsorship comes from many businesses - Gold Sponsors and Silver Sponsors are given signage on the entry forms, certificates, advertising and on the night they are presenters of various awards.

The Shire assists by arranging for independent Judges who read the nominations and visit and talk with a short list of contenders. The Customer Service Award is judged by a "Mystery Shopper visit. This method of judging ensures impartiality and is an important part of the Awards' sucess.

The evening is held in the form of a Cocktail Party and while every nominee is given 2 free tickets, many other tickets to the event are sold. This year, as in past years, a crowd of over 250 gathered and again it was pleasing to see many young people there and to see local business people networking and enjoying each other's company.

Prizes in each category are given for 1st, 2nd & 3rd and every nominee is given a framed certificate, while the 1st Prize Winner also receives a trophy and a sticker for the business's window. The Apprentices receive a cash prize to be spent in furthering her or his career.

Later next year, the Winners and Sponsors will be invited to an "Open to the Public Rotary meeting - who knows how many potential members we may find!

Long live Business Excellence in Yarrawonga & Mulwala

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