Three locally-owned businesses dominate the list of nominations for the annual awards issued by the Millicent Business Community Association. Past multiple winner Fosters Foodland, the Millicent Veterinary Clinic and The SE Voice newspaper each received a number of nominations from the public.
The supermarket was nominated as the best retailer and nomination forms were also endorsed by the public for employees Abby Shepard, Sally Sapiatzer, Kellie Wilkinson and Jorja Wilkinson. Owned by Dr Sean McGrath and Dr Sarah McGrath, the Millicent Veterinary Clinic is looking to repeat its past success in the service category. Four of the clinic’s employees have been nominated for individual awards – Dr David Oswald, Jamie Coleman, Luke Rainsford and Rory Serle.
This is also the case with The SE Voice newspaper which is also in the running for the service award. It has published up to 80 pages of regional news and sport each Thursday since the first edition in September. Its staff nominees are John Scanlon, Kelly Costin, Sophie Morrison and J.L. “Fred” Smith.
The Millicent War Memorial Civic and Arts Centre will be filled to COVID-permitted limits on August 21 when an enthusiastic gathering salutes the achievements of numerous firms and individuals. It will be the 10th year the Millicent Business Community Association will give out its Outstanding Business Awards with COVID protocols cancelling the 2020 event.
There have been 233 nominations across the seven categories. The awards are judged by an independent panel comprising three community members. The identity of the winners is a tightly-held secret along with the winner of the Community Spirit Award and the newest entry into the MBCA Hall of Fame.
The MBCA committee introduced the Community Spirit Award in 2015 as a way of recognising businesses which undertake generous and kind acts. It is sponsored each year by Foster’s Foodland in memory of family patriarch “Bob” Foster who successfully ran retail businesses in Rendelsham and Millicent for 67 years until his death in 2014.
Numerous local businesses including The SE Voice newspaper have sponsored the awards evening with either cash or in-kind contributions and Wattle Range Council was another major supporter. The highlights of the night include the awards, supper and dancing to the sounds of JB and Crowey.
MBCA members involved in the food industry provide the supper. Association chairman Lee Morgan said the nominations were similar in number to recent years. “The judging panel has convened for the first round via a Zoom meeting,” Mr Morgan said.
“At this point in time, due to the COVID lockdown we are still preparing for the awards night though it is likely it will be in a modified format, with details of tickets to be issued on the website www.millicentbusiness.com when finalised.”
