Melton Business Excellence Awards2018

SEPTEMBER 4, 2018 \ STARWEEKLY.COM.AU

news + sport + property guide A Melton & Moorabool Star Weekly Feature

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Fixwell Smash Repairs

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2018 Business of the Year Excellence Award Best Trades and Construction Business Award “We are passionate, proud and committed in what we do and provide you with the highest level of quality workmanship & customer service” Fixwell Smash Repairs is one of the largest shops in the western suburbs with over 1.5 acres of undercover space for vehicles repairs. Having operated for over 28 years, we are a well-established company with a reputation for high quality workmanship. By providing a lifetime guarantee on all work we aim to provide peace of mind to our customers by reassuring them there car is in the hands of experts.

With a 24 hour Help line & Tow service available on 0412 376 295 it’s clear our customers come first as we can provide advice which reduces the stress of an accident.

WE ARE ONE OF THE LARGEST PANEL REPAIR FACILITIES IN MELBOURNE

OUR MODERN REPAIR FACILITY & SERVICES INCLUDE: • • • •

Computerised Chassis Alignment Latest Technology Wheel Alignment Balancing, Fitting & Repairs 24 Hour accident & Break down Towing

• • • •

Air conditioning Service Mechanical Repairs Car Rentals Low Bake Oven

Detailing: Cut & Polish / Interior Steam Clean From $200 Full range of Porzelack Car Care products & Polishes available.

Call Us First - No Fault Claims - Best Service And Advice...

Our experienced staff can guide you through the entire process

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We handle the claim from start to finish, making stress free for you.

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We provide you with a like for like replacement car to keep you on the road whilst your vehicle is being repaired.

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We ensure you can avoid the out of pocket expenses of going through your own insurance including premium increases

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Towing service to our workshop at no cost to you

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All repairs carry a lifetime guarantee.

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They don’t own your car!

For further help call us on 0412 376 295. Don’t feel intimidated or pressured by your insurance Company

See us Today

108-110 High Street Melton • Ph 9743-6295 • www.fixwell.com.au

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• You always have a choice where your car is repaired • Quality repairs always come at a cost. The cheapest (which is usually your insurance company’s first choice) is not the best for your car. Protect one of your most valuable assets with quality repairs from competent and experienced people who genuinely care about your car!

A Melton & Moorabool Star Weekly Feature

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Message from the Mayor FULL LOGO

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What an exciting year it has been for businesses across the City of Melton.

The City of Melton Business Excellence Awards recognise and celebrate the innovative and entrepreneurial spirit that thrives within our great municipality.

It’s always great to see new businesses popping up, and being represented at these fabulous awards.

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Council recognises that these awards would just not be possible without our sponsors. This year’s principal sponsor - Quest Caroline Springs – has partnered with the Business Excellence Awards for a number of years now. Quest’s partnership with our awards has progressed from applicant, to multi-award winner, and now key partner through significant sponsorship and mentoring.

Quest is an example of how our business awards have helped nurture and support business growth and innovation within our community, and we congratulate them for sharing their success not only with Council, but with our community as a whole.

This year, we had 31 finalists shortlisted across 13 categories, and inducted Abey Australia and Westcare Medical Centre into the Award’s Hall of Fame. It was an incredibly competitive year, and it was difficult for the judges to pick a shortlist from a long list of talented and worthy businesses who help make our community tick.

I would especially like to congratulate Fixwell Smash Repairs for taking out the overall Business of the Year award. It’s a fantastic feat, and very well-deserved.

I congratulate all our nominees and winners on their achievement this year. We are proud to have them part of the City of Melton business community. These businesses are ones to watch. I’m sure we will continue to see them grow and succeed in future.

Cr Bob Turner, Mayor City of Melton

winner OGOL DEPPORC

fixwell sMash repairs Business of the Year

Congratulations to Fixwell Smash Repairs – overall winners of the 2018 City of Melton Business Excellence Awards Mercieca PVictor UKCOL R OSNOPS EPhas YTOGcontinually OL

built upon his strong business standards to build a successful smash repair business that seeks to exceed expectations at every turn, and it does just that.

Judges of the awards say Fixwell Smash Repairs are to be congratulated on seamlessly integrating the extensive range of services offered by the company.

“From towing through to repairs and maintenance, parts, courtesy cars and restoration work, they have created a true ‘one-stop-shop’.

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“The business’ success is based on strong, robust processes covering planning, marketing, operations, financial management, human resources and quality.

“We built and grew the business to make sure we offer an endto-end service to make the unfortunate event of a damaged car as painless as possible,” he says.

“In addition, Fixwell Smash Repairs, through a number of practical initiatives, strongly support those in the community living with a disability or who are otherwise disadvantaged,” a member of the judging panel says.

“We can send quotes direct to insurance companies for speedy claim processing, have the most current technology on the market and offer a complimentary wash and vacuum,” Victor adds.

Owner Victor Mercieca says Fixwell Smash Repairs does things right the first time and offers everything you need after experiencing a bingle or breakdown.

“I’m a perfectionist, so I like to ensure everything is done right – not just the panel beating, spraying and other work carried out, but the way I run my workshop and maintain my property.”

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2017

HALL OF FAME

HALL OF FAME

AbEy AustrALiA

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rEcOGnitiOn OF EXcELLEncE MOntE’s kitcHEn cAbinEts

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Abey Australia is synonymous with innovation and evolution. For more than 56 years, Abey Australia has brought the latest bathroom and kitchen designs and technology to Australia, always and proudly, based in Melton.

Loyally local, today Abey Australia stocks over 1200 products, the result of consistent and ongoing product development with a focus on innovation and quality.

Boasting the largest range of kitchen and basin taps and sinkware in Australia as well as exclusive Italian collections including Gessi, Armando, Vicario and Barazza Appliances, Abey Australia is awarded the Melton Business Awards Hall of Fame thanks to its commitment to business excellence, employing locals and contributing to the local economy.

Doctor Alistair Stark is one of five doctors-partners and says this is part of the key to Westcare’s on-going excellent reputation in the area.

“Our practice manager and executive officer Tracy Clarke is a true asset, managing a team of 40 and keeping it running like clockwork. All of our staff go the extra mile for our thousands of loyal patients, and that is central to our success.

“Westcare has benefited greatly from being nominated for the Business Excellence awards in previous years and the process itself helped us develop and improve the way we do things.

“Our central goal is to attract the very best doctors to work in Melton.

Because of high need, Melton really deserves the very best. We do this by providing excellent training to newly qualified GPs, and by making our medical centre a great place to work.”

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Director of Abbey Australia Geoff Anderson, says the ability to seize opportunities, having an intimate knowledge of the industry and a flexible and responsive management style has been fundamental to the businesses success.

Westcare Medical Centre has been providing high quality medical care to the larger Melton community since 1989. Always evolving and growing, it is no wonder this year the establishment has been inducted into The City of Melton’s Hall of Fame, one of only two businesses to be awarded the honour.

Monte’s Kitchen Cabinets Mob: 0413 958 352

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Be true... tuya!

Monte’s Kitchen Cabinets’ husband and wife team Steven and Tanya Montebello have won the Recognition of Excellence Award for their high-quality kitchens and contribution to the community.

Recent improvements to their booming small business are the big step of employing their very first first-year apprentice. They have also invested in 3D software, an extra service for their clients.

Steven, who is known for his high-quality craftsmanship, learned his trade one-on-on from another small business carpenter, and is looking forward to offering the same level of instruction.

“I was really lucky to be trained by a true craftsman and I will now pass on that knowledge which is a good feeling,” he says.

Monte’s Kitchen Cabinets also give back.

Tanya saw a cover story in Star Weekly about a family with a special-needs child. The family had been duped by a run-away tradie. Tanya and Steven decided to reach out to them.

“They’d wanted a vanity. We created a wheel-chair accessible bathroom as well as a walk-in robe so their son can have independent access. That’s a great advantage of being in business, being able to help.”

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WINNER - Recognition of Excellence Award monti_2001@hotmail.com

www.monteskitchencabinets.com

Specialising in:

• Built In Wardrobes • Kitchens • Glass Splashbacks • Vanity Units • Laundry Cabinets • Reception Desks • Bars & Lots more

FINALIST !!

Melton Business Awards 2018

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would like to congratulate all winners and participants in the 2018 Melton Business Awards

A Melton & Moorabool Star Weekly Feature

LAdy And tHE HAir

bEAuty On AvEbury

cOMpAss EXpEditiOns

bEst prOFEssiOnAL sErvicE

bEst MicrO Or HOME bAsEd businEss

bEst HOspitALity And tOurisM

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Prue Tonkinson has grown her hairdressing salon from humble beginnings at home, to employing a few staff at her home-based business to branching out to her current location at Bakery Square.

“Today we have a have a great team, including two receptionists and two apprentices.”

The secret to Prue’s success—apart from her tenacity—is her colouring technique, with loyal clients coming to her regularly to get their colour done.

“It is definitely our colour works that we are known for but I’ve also done a lot of business coaching and that has definitely helped.

Prue says business mentoring gave her the courage to make braver choices and taught her how to make clients happy and get the right staff and the right clients.

“I had a successful business at home but I really wanted that ‘bricks and mortar’ salon. I wanted to offer professional quality work, in a high-end salon setting but have a true community feel and I believe that is our difference and what we have created here.”

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Kylie Martin has built Beauty of Avebury, her at-home beauty therapy business to be a much-loved go-to for local mums in the area.

The beauty therapy business offers facials, waxing, eyebrow tinting and eyelash tinting and brow shaping among other services.

“My products are all plant and fruit based. No chemicals.”

Having suffered with skin problems herself, Kylie wanted to choose an organic and natural skincare range to help with skin concerns.

“I believe it’s important to use skincare products that are Australian made, purposely created for our climate and lifestyle,” she says.

“I love doing facials because not only are the beneficial to our skin but so relaxing and calming, and that is a big part of my business and my success, I think.”

Kylie says her clientele helped spread the word about her at-home beauty therapy business.

“I have a lot of loyal customers and they are really the key to my success,” she says.

“Word-of-mouth, as everyone knows, is the best form of advertising, so I am really thankful for that.”

In 2005 four amateur motorcyclists completed a four month ride from London to Vladivostok, Russia to raise money and awareness for Freidriechs Ataxia (FA), a little-known degenerative neurone disease.

Two years after that life-altering journey, friends and now business 8 2 2 0 8 1 0 2 T I CL 81-3 partners Mick McDonald, his partner Veronica Weisz and Jerry Cook started Compass Expeditions, an award-winning expedition and motorbike touring company, offering high-end expeditions to places such as Patagonia, Russia, and throughout Asia.

Marketing Manager Craig Jackson says what he calls “accessible adventure” is big business in the tourism industry, and a style of travel Compass does very well.

“Compass offer tours and expositions for those wanting adventure yet, wanting everything to be organised such as staying in four or five star accommodation or having unique “experiences” that are still completely catered for.

“Many of our happy, returning customers say they love Compass tours as they get to go to places they never would have found or had the courage to venture to, if they hadn’t have done it in a tour style.”

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Fixwell SmaSh RepaiRS

hope StReet Youth and FamilY SeRViceS

BeSt tRadeS and conStRuction BuSineSS

communitY contRiBution

Ally and Tom Dickson grew up in Darwin, Tom a police officer and his life partner Ally, a graphic designer so who would have thought they would end up with an award-winning same day print business in the City of Melton?

With a workshop floor as clean as the interiors of the cars they detail, Melton-based smash repairs business Fixwell Smash Repairs are focused on the small details, all combining to create a first-rate service for locals and even those further afield.

Today Same Day Printing employs a small group of committed staffers and boasts clients across Melbourne, both locally and across town, as well as interstate clients, multinational and international clientele.

“We cover an end-to-end service including mechanical repairs, air-conditioning, service/re-gas, wheel alignment and tyre fitting.

There’s also a boutique selection of polishes and car care products,” says owner Victor Mercieca.

Tom says in his own words, it was an evolution, the pair of them simply following the needs of their clients as they arose.

“I think our success comes down to the ease-of-use. All customers have to do if they have been in an accident is call. We provide a 24 hour accident and breakdown towing service, and aim to get customers back on the road quickly with minimal downtime.

Winners of the Community Contribution Award Hope Street Youth services couldn’t be more deserving, with three new initiatives creating safe places for the estimated 500-strong youth homeless population in the Melton area every year.

These include a permanent 24/7 accommodation unit for eight youths and one young family, fully-funded mobile outreach cars and emergency accommodation.

Donna Bennett says first and foremost, youth (from 16 to 25 years) who do not feel safe at home and who may be hiding their homelessness by couch surfing, can call 1800 825 955 and get confidential help.

“We can give young people a safe, warm place to sleep, food … and a plan,” she says.

Hope Street Youth Services not only provides support and accommodation for those at risk, but also free specialist counselling and one-to-one case management.

“Hundreds of thousands of dollars have been raised, as well as over $100,000 in building materials donated by local businesses. It warms your heart.”

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“We are coming up to 10 years in business in September.

“We saw the growth areas across Australia and actually picked Melbourne’s west as a potential growth area, and as luck would have it, we were right in our prediction.”

“We moved to Melbourne in 2001, and looking back the real key to our success is giving things a crack, by making educated risks.’

“Obviously it is a momentum thing. Blood, sweat, tears … and years.”

“We built and grew the business to make sure we offer an end-toend service to make the unfortunate event of a damaged car as painless as possible,” he says.

Self-confessed perfectionist Victor makes sure everything is done right – not just the panel beating, spraying and other work carried out, but the way his workshop is ran, with a focus on best standards.

WINNER!!

Melton Business Awar ds 2018 TRANSFORMATION AWARD

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A Melton & Moorabool Star Weekly Feature

melton poolS and SpaS

FiBReSand SolutionS

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innoVation awaRd

BuSineSS tRanSFoRmation

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Melton Pools and Spas are leaders in pool and spa sales and maintenance in the area. Owners Serena McNichol and Tony Noyce say their staff are the key to their ongoing success.

“It is so great to be recognised in this way, and when I think about what it is that makes us successful, it really comes down to having the right team,” Serena says.

“We worked really hard to build the team we have today. We have a great team of full-timers and our school casuals on the weekend and they are just a fantastic part of our team and really add to the overall culture. There are 11 of us now, which is amazing to us as when we did our first business s, a big goal was to be able to afford a part-time casual to help out a bit.

Established in 2010 Melton Pools and Spas is family owned and was built from the ground up. Serena says the process in entering is a fantastic opportunity to evaluate where you are in your business.

Today the business also offers three mobile pool and spa maintenance vans, which, Tom and Serena say, has been great for their clientele, and for business.

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Michael McMahon’s family has been in the sporting turf design and construction industry for over 30 years.

So when Michael came across a more cost-effective and sustainable way to create a FibreSand product –used mostly in horse racing-he knew he was onto a winner.

This year alone, Michael’s award-winning product FibreSand will save 400-500 tonne of carpet-based land fill from going into the ground, a fantastic achievement.

FibreSand creates a more firm sand base to keep horse tracks and sporting fields with sand-bases far more stable.

The technology is quite expensive and prices many sports facilities out.

“What we do at FibreSand is we retrieve used or un-saleable carpet and integrate it with our sand product. It makes this type of product far cheaper for consumers, not to mention, it lowers landfill.

“We work a lot with regional race tracks as we are far more affordable.

Without our product they would never be able to offer this service to strappers.”

Founder of Pacing Dynamics Deb Pace has gone from strength to strength, rolling out her equine assisted growth leadership program to multi-nationals and local businesses alike.

In just 12 months Deb has grown her business to be solely owneroperated to employing three.

8 2 2 0 8 1 0 2 T I CL 81-3 Deb’s equine-assisted growth-leadership program utilises Deb’s trademarked The Equine Effect™ and at the core of everything she does, says Deb, is the focus on building better relationships.

“Whether it is within corporations, between departments or if it has to do with a culture change within an organisation, The Equine Effect™ is an amazing tool.”

Deb says taking people out of their comfort zone, in her case, into an open space with horses, sets up the perfect environment for learning new communication skills, especially within groups who already are in close communication.

“If you are looking for a new way to train your staff, consider doing it with horses!”

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