2025 BUSINESS EXCELLENCE AWARDS
THE 2025 BUSINESS EXCELLENCE AWARDS ARE CREATED TO CELEBRATE THE EFFORTS AND ACHIEVEMENTS OF OUR LOCAL BUSINESS SECTOR AND TO RECOGNISE THEIR CONTRIBUTION TO THE COMMUNITY AND THE ECONOMY IN HOBSONS BAY.
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Small businesses are the backbone of our local economy. These awards are a great way to recognise some of the incredible work they do in our community.
CR DARIA KELLANDER MAYOR OF HOBSONS BAY
This award recognises businesses that provide outstanding customer service and demonstrate commitment to achieving excellence throughout the entire customer journey.
Hairy Hounds Playground is a trusted doggy daycare and pet services centre in Hobsons Bay, offering daycare, grooming, training, and socialisation programs that prioritise each dog’s wellbeing.
Their dedicated team goes above and beyond through genuine connection, community involvement, and animal welfare initiatives— creating a safe, enriching environment for pets and their people.
Pelvic Health Melbourne is a trailblazer in community health leadership, delivering inclusive pelvic healthcare across all ages, genders, and abilities. With specialised programs, national education initiatives, and partnerships supporting LGBTQIA+ communities, NDIS participants, and rural clients, they champion dignity, access, and empowerment— transforming lives and setting a new benchmark for holistic, community-focused healthcare.
Renew Hair delivers luxury hair services with heart in the centre of Altona. Known for personalised consultations, artisan touches, and community partnerships, the salon blends highquality colour expertise with exceptional service.
With innovative approaches across the customer journey, Renew Hair continues to redefine what a modern, client-focused salon experience can be.
Silverback Studios is redefining local pilates experience with inclusive, high-quality classes, personalised care, and strong community roots.
With over 50 classes weekly, tailored programs, and two purpose-built studios, Silverback blends expert instruction, local partnerships, and heartfelt service. Their member-first philosophy fosters belonging, making them more than a studio—they’re a vibrant, community-driven wellness hub.
Think.Focus.Act is a soul-led wellness studio offering personalised care through yoga, reiki, counselling, and community workshops. Guided by lived experience and deep compassion, the team delivers trauma-informed, inclusive services that meet each person where they are.
With a commitment to holistic healing and mental wellness, Think.Focus.Act transforms healing into connection, and customer care into a true act of service.
Titan Plumbing & Roofing specialises in complex, large-scale plumbing and roofing projects across Melbourne’s west. Known for delivering under pressure, they expertly manage time-sensitive works for schools and commercial clients while maintaining the highest standards.
Their reliability, attention to detail, and strong client relationships make them a leader in professional service and project delivery, with a genuine commitment to customer care.
This award recognises businesses who seek to introduce initiatives that create positive change, opportunities, and social outcomes, particularly to benefit those who experience hardship, vulnerability or disadvantage.
Amarapave is a purpose-driven asphalt paving company breaking barriers in civil construction. With an 80% non-male crew, it delivers high-quality infrastructure projects while building career pathways for women and non-binary people.
Through paid training, industry partnerships, and inclusive hiring, Amarapave is redefining who belongs on site—and proving social change and performance can go hand in hand.
Dramawerkz empowers LGBTQIA+, neurodivergent, and diverse young people through inclusive youth theatre, creative expression, and peer-led programs.
From original musicals to mentorship and safe drop-in spaces, Dramawerkz fosters identity, confidence, and community. Led by former students, it’s more than theatre—it’s a movement for belonging, leadership, and creative change in Hobsons Bay.
LCIS has been transforming lives in Hobsons Bay since 1974 through education, early childhood services, emergency relief, and tailored community programs. With a compassion centered, co-designed approach, LCIS empowers people of all ages through programs like L2P learner driver mentoring program and the Laverton Youth Foundation, delivering responsive support, inclusion, and lifelong learning for over 1,200 people each week.
RV Legal is a values-driven law firm delivering expert legal services with compassion and purpose. Through its unique social enterprise model, every private matter funds life-changing pro bono work for victims of crime.
Combining legal expertise with trauma-informed care, RV Legal is redefining justice—making it accessible, dignified, and empowering for those who need it most.
AWARD CATEGORY
This award recognises businesses that have demonstrated leadership and commitment to sustainable and circular economy initiatives.
Bouquet Melbourne is a local boutique florist blending contemporary design with environmental responsibility. The studio became 100% floral foam-free in 2025, using natural materials and locally sourced blooms to reduce waste.
Known for elegant, natural arrangements and personalised service, Bouquet Melbourne creates beauty that cares for both people and the planet.
MOA.Studio is a Spotswood-based residential architecture practice creating sustainable, smallscale homes designed to last. Working closely with homeowners—often first-time renovators— they make sustainability simple and achievable through smart design, re-using existing structures, and energy-conscious choices.
With a values-based approach supporting homelessness advocacy, the practice delivers homes that care for both the planet and the community.
Slow Food Melbourne champions ethical, local food systems through its monthly farmers’ market in Spotswood. Supporting small-scale producers, promoting waste-free shopping, and fostering biodiversity, the market is a living example of circular economy principles in action.
Their grassroots model connects community, sustainability, and global values—building a resilient food future from the ground up.
The Source Bulk Foods Williamstown champions zero-waste, community-led retail through its refillable wholefoods and eco products. Locally owned and deeply engaged, the store reduces packaging waste, supports local initiatives, and empowers conscious consumption.
With strong partnerships and a purpose-driven team, they’re building a circular, sustainable future—one scoop, refill, and conversation at a time.
This award is open to any new Hobsons Bay business that has been operating two years or less, has experienced rapid growth, and actively contributes to the local community positively.
Fuel & Function is an allied health clinic founded in 2024 by a physiotherapist and a dietitian with a shared vision for holistic, collaborative care. Combining the two disciplines, the clinic offers tailored, evidence-based treatment across musculoskeletal, sports, and pelvic health.
By combining movement and nutrition in a multidisciplinary approach, Fuel & Function is redefining accessible, integrated healthcare in Hobsons Bay.
Launched in 2024, Lenny’s Pup Shop is Australia’s first mobile, dog-only café and treat shop. Operating from their van at Apex Park, Altona and popping up across Melbourne, this innovative, family-run business offers natural, Aussie-made dog treats and wellness products. Inspired by a beloved pet’s allergies, they’ve built strong community ties, gained media attention, and are redefining pet care—one wagging tail at a time.
Portside Dental is transforming the way people experience dentistry in Hobsons Bay. With a focus on innovation, technology, and patient comfort, the Newport clinic offers a calming, people-first environment.
From general dentistry to orthodontics, snoring therapies, and cosmetic treatments, their diverse team delivers high-quality care with a fully digital workflow and a commitment to community.
Stretch Club is revolutionising recovery for busy, active adults one stretch at a time. Offering upbeat, science-backed group stretch classes in Williamstown North and Newport, Stretch Club helps locals move better, feel better, and live pain-free.
With a focus on mobility, community, and fun, this proudly local start-up aims to be the next cult fitness movement.
This category aims to celebrate the array of talented home-based business owners who through their products or services contribute positively to the local community and embody business excellence. The category is open to any registered Hobsons Bay business whose primary office is in the business owner’s home.
Catherine Storm Millinery is a Hobsons Bay home-based creative business designing and handcrafting bespoke millinery for racing events, weddings and special occasions.
Combining traditional craftsmanship with modern design, Catherine’s elegant, sculptural pieces have been worn worldwide, from Royal Ascot to Flemington. Her work reflects a rare blend of global reach, slow fashion values, and deep local community connection.
Design Your Best Work Life is a home-based career coaching business, helping mid-career professionals navigate change after redundancy, burnout, or feeling stuck.
Using the signature Career GROOVE Method, they’ve supported 500+ people Australia-wide to reconnect with their strengths, values, and goals—creating intentional, fulfilling career moves and rebuilding confidence for the long term.
Happypath is a home-based web design studio helping small businesses transform underperforming websites into tools that actually drive growth. With a unique “website-as-aservice” model, Jared removes upfront costs and provides ongoing updates and support.
Known for his personal service, community connections, and focus on long-term partnerships, Happypath is a trusted digital ally for local businesses.
Mums Matter Psychology is a national, purpose-led practice providing free, specialist mental health care for women from pregnancy through early parenting. Delivered entirely via Telehealth, it removes cost and location barriers to care, ensuring women everywhere can access compassionate, expert support. With its innovative, family-friendly model, it is setting a new standard for accessible, life-changing perinatal mental health care.
This award recognises a business that has used technology to make significant contributions to its industry and/or community by implementing innovative customer, social or environmental solutions.
AquaSsage is Hobsons Bay’s home of innovative wellness, offering Dry Aqua Massage — a non-touch therapy recognised overseas for its health benefits.
With themed cabanas, infrared wellness treatments, and compression therapies, this woman-led business blends innovation, inclusivity, and care to create accessible and transformative health experiences for the community.
GreenAnt Networks provides independent, affordable digital consulting with a strong focus on health, research, and not-for-profits. They help organisations balance costs, functionality, and integration, creating tailored solutions that avoid lock-ins and meet complex needs.
With expertise in high-security industries, GreenAnt combines creativity and technology to deliver practical, future-ready systems that empower Australian organisations.
Fortify Movement & Health is a purpose-built allied health exercise clinic in Altona North, combining the best of a gym environment with specialist clinical care. The team of specialists deliver active, tailored programs for people living with persistent pain, chronic conditions, disability, and neurodivergence. Supported by innovative tools like AI-powered documentation and co-designed initiatives such as Neuro Motion for teens, Fortify blends technology, compassion, and collaboration to empower clients to move, recover, and live well.
The Substation exemplifies artistic leadership through its bold commissioning of experimental works, support for First Nations voices, and inclusive, artist-led governance.
As a nationally recognised cultural engine in Melbourne’s west, it shapes critical conversations and creative futures - championing new artforms, nurturing underrepresented artists, and setting a benchmark for innovation in Australia’s contemporary arts landscape.
LEGACY BUSINESS RECOGNITION SPONSOR
Hobsons Bay City Council
115 Civic Parade, Altona
PO Box 21, Altona 3018
Phone 1300 179 944
NRS phone 133 677 and quote 1300 179 944
Email customerservice@hobsonsbay.vic.gov.au
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www.hobsonsbay.vic.gov.au