Mount Gambier’s business community gathered on Friday evening to celebrate the 2023 Business Awards, recognising the Blue Lake city’s best in the business.

Nearly 400 members of the greater Mount Gambier business community gathered at The Barn for the celebration of outstanding businesses and individuals across the region.

In what has been an exciting and collaborative partnership for the Mount Gambier Chamber of Commerce and Women In Business and Regional Development, the gala event was a thriving success.

New Mount Gambier dental facility Illumident received the Business Growth and Resilience Award (large business), while Gym Challenge Meals won the small category and Just Frank the micro business category.

To begin the evening’s recognition, prominent women’s clothing store Redgum Country was inducted into the prestigious Mount Gambier Chamber of Commerce Hall of Fame.

Owner Wendy Richardson accepted the accolade, which celebrates businesses that have made a significant contribution to the economic and social development of the Mount Gambier community, recognising more than 30 years of outstanding service and dedication.

The night marked an exceptional celebration of excellence, including inspiring keynote speaker Sam Bloom, a two-time World Para Surfing champion, best-selling author and the inspiration behind the #1 box-office hit movie Penguin Bloom starring Naomi Watts.

Sam’s story was, and is an incredible example of the extraordinary things that can be achieved in the face of adversity.

An exciting Women In Business and Regional Development scholarship was also awarded to Rene Veno from Raison Detre.

The $2000 scholarship was sponsored and presented by a network of 20 businesswomen who put people and purpose at the heart of business.

It was designed for strong, unapologetic women who want to live their best lives and provides the opportunity to spend the scholarship on anything that will support their self-development or business journey.

WiBRD deputy chair Toni Vorenas, who hosted the evening with The Chamber president Candice Fennell, said the WiBRD board looks forward to seeing Ms Veno paying it forward and giving back to the WiBRD community in the true spirit of the organisation and the scholarship.

“When collaborating for the 2023 business awards we were focused on a celebration that reflects both organisations’ commitment to building a creative and courageous business community,” Ms Vorenas said.

“Often in business you work in isolation and this year’s awards gala was an opportunity to recognise one another’s uniqueness – and to celebrate all the incredible purpose-led business owners and our teams – who do extraordinary things every day.

“It’s funny isn’t it – few of us in business would think that what we do is extraordinary – and its little wonder – we live in a ‘have more, do more, be more’ world, that its more likely that we would describe ourselves as impostors or as ordinary.

“Even our incredible keynote speaker Sam Bloom in an interview described herself as ‘nothing out of the ordinary’.

“The evening did not get hung up on words like ‘excellent’ extraordinary’ or ‘outstanding’ instead it focused celebrations of the business community’s boldness, bravery and resilience.

“We congratulate all the nominees, finalists and winners of the awards and thank the 20 incredible businesswomen that supported our scholarship in a true display of paying it forward and supporting our business community.”

Ms Fennell offered congratulations to the distinguished award recipients and nominees, whose ‘exceptional accomplishments in the business world had set an unparalleled standard’.

“Their dedication, innovative spirit, and unwavering commitment are truly commendable,” she said.

“This gathering of exceptional individuals, united in celebrating not only their personal achievements but also those of their peers, radiates an atmosphere of inspiration.

“A special mention goes to the Mount Gambier Chamber of Commerce Hall of Fame Inductee Redgum Country with an impressive 30-year legacy of outstanding contribution to retail and community development.

“Additionally, the news of Redgum Country’s remarkable philanthropic efforts, having contributed over 500k, is truly awe-inspiring.”