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Tuesday, 10 December, 2019
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n Greater Dandenong Chamber of Commerce Business Awards...
High achievers By Danielle Kutchel Businesses from across Greater Dandenong were celebrated for their innovation, business smarts and commitment to the region in the Greater Dandenong Chamber Business Awards. Held at the Sandown Greyhound Racing Club on Wednesday 4 November, the night was a fitting way to end the year, as businesses from across Greater Dandenong came together to celebrate and recognise each other's achievements. MC Debbie Lee kept spirits up over the duration of the ceremony with her upbeat commentary, even bursting into song on stage in a move that kept the crowd smiling. Eleven businesses were nominated, along with three youth nominees, across seven business award categories and a special youth enterprise award. The major award of the night, the Greater Dandenong Chamber Business Award, was taken out by Southern Metropolitan Cemeteries Trust (SMCT) Springvale Botanical Cemetery. SMCT also took home the Employment award. Business Development Manager for SMCT, Megan Petty, called the double win a "wonderful recognition". She said the organisation had approximately 300 staff working across a number of teams. The diversity of staff presented challenges for management, but Ms Petty said they were well managed. "I think the overall professionalism was something that stood out to the judges. They came with no knowledge of the business and I think were quite amazed." Zoe Atterbury, who is completing a Certificate IV in Disability Services at Chisholm, won the Youth Enterprise Award and said her win was unexpected given the calibre of the nominees. The award winner had originally studied and worked in events and administration, but found that she wanted a job that felt more rewarding. "I wanted a job working one on one with people, helping them have better lives," she said. Ms Atterbury now works for Hire Up, an online platform for people with disabilities to manage their support workers, and is a carer for Home Instead Senior Care. She plans to study a diploma in dementia and continue her work with the elderly.
Greater Dandenong Chamber Business Award winners Southern Metropolitan Cemeteries Trust. From left: Kelly Nunn, Megan Petty and sponsor Paul Wood, Managing Partner at NAB Dandenong Business Banking Centre. 201870 Councillor Angela Long attended the event on behalf of Greater Dandenong Council and said it was good to see the Chamber of Commerce supporting local businesses and manufacturers. "It's a fantastic night to award the recipients for their hard work, and for people to nominate for different awards shows they're interested in not only their own business but also the business of all of Greater Dandenong," she said. Chamber president Paul Broom praised the
organisation of the event and said it had been well run. "I'm very happy with the turnout, the engagement and the support," he said. The president also thanked the major sponsors who made the event, and the chamber's continued work, possible. "Hilton manufacturing tonight is one of our sponsors, and the chamber is given free accommodation in Hilton as an office," he said. "That is a massive commitment to the
chamber and it helps us to be able to invest in making events like this successful." He added that the final event for the year was an opportunity for the chamber to reflect on what had been and what could be next year. "We are a very dynamic chamber," he said. "We have a growing, strong membership base. We are chamber that's got a tremendous span, from the major players, right down to one-person accounting businesses. We provide something for everybody."
The City of Greater Dandenong is proud to support local businesses through activities fostering growth in employment, investment and the local economy. For more information on how we can assist, call 8571 1000 or visit greaterdandenong.com/business. 12434615-SG51-19