Millicent retailer Andy’s Bakery was honoured twice when the 2022 Millicent Business Community Association Outstanding Business Awards were announced before a gathering of 70 at the Grand Hotel on Thursday night.
In a first for the awards, the long-established shop claimed both individual prizes.
Teenager Gabby Tilley was recognised as the Young Employee of the Year while her adult colleague Monique McRostie was Senior Employee of the Year.
Bakery owner Donald Tilley was doubly proud as Gabby is his daughter.
It was the 11th year the MBCA has given out Outstanding Business Awards and there were over 100 nominations.
The best retailer was Habit Patch while the agricultural section was won by TRAC Performance Minerals.
South East Property Sales and Management won the service category.
The best café in the tourism/hospitality section was the Shearer’s Cook Café.
The other tourism/hospitality section winner was the Mount Burr General Store.
Novice business Trusted Automotive won the trades, manufacturing and construction category for the second consecutive year.
The MBCA committee presents the Community Spirit Award as a way of recognising businesses which undertake generous and kind acts and the 2022 recipients were Somerset Hotel managers Alex and Amanda Gordon.
They took over the business 12.5 years ago and have been generous sponsors of a host of community and sporting groups.
The award 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.
Millicent Toy Kingdom was admitted to the MBCA Hall of Fame as it has been a successful business for over 30 years.
It is managed by Helen and Bill Davis and the accolade was accepted by their son Adam.
Millicent Business Community Association co-chairperson Fiona Telfer was the master of ceremonies.
She congratulated all nominees and winners, thanked all who worked to ensure the success of the night and described the upbeat mood among Millicent businesses.
Brief speeches were also made by Wattle Range Council Deputy Mayor Councillor Moira Neagle, immediate past MBCA chairperson Lee Morgan and Wattle Range Council development services director Emma Clay.
Members of the MBCA committee took it in turns to announce the various winners.
Throughout the evening, entertainment was provided by vocalist/guitarist Jack Lane.
Due to poor weather, the function could not be held on the hotel’s upstairs verandah as originally planned.
