Max Hatzoglou
The “strength and stamina” of Sunshine’s small businesses and their owners will be celebrated over the coming months as part of the inaugural Sunshine Business Awards.
An initiative of the Sunshine Business Association (SBA), with support from Brimbank council, the awards aim to recognise small businesses that survived the COVID-19 lockdowns of 2020 and 2021 and are now “battling” through recovery.
SBA president Vu Du said the association wanted to recognise and reward Sunshine’s ” best and brightest” businesses.
“We are delighted to announce our first ever ‘Sunshine Business Award acknowledging and rewarding our best and brightest in our community,” he said.
“In light on our current inflation and struggles of many business during COVID we hope that with this promotion will not only provide recognition to the businesses/community leaders for a job well done, but to also share their insights on their success stories so that other businesses can feel empowered to do the same.”
There are 12 award categories covering cafes; restaurants; sweets, drinks and takeaway; business services; community services; fashion and jewellery; fresh food and groceries; hair and beauty; lifestyle; medical, fitness and health; real estate; and community and sporting groups.
The community will be able to vote for their favourite businesses between Wednesday, June 1 and Sunday, July 31.
Winners will be announced at a gala business networking event on Wednesday, August 10.
Mr Du said the awards night will be a great opportunity for businesses to connect and build foundation block for years to come.
The business with the greatest number of votes in a category will be awarded $5000 and a $2000 business marketing and development voucher.
The businesses with the second and third highest votes in a category will be awarded $2000 and a $2000 business marketing and development voucher.
Voters placed will have the chance to win one of two $500 gift vouchers to spend in Sunshine at their favourite business.
Details: www.sunshinebusiness.com.au
