Local businesses were in the spotlight on Friday (18 February) night, as Bass Coast Shire Council announced the winners of the 2021 Business Awards at an event held at Silverwater Resort in San Remo.

This year saw 55 local businesses enter the judged awards and around 100 local businesses receive over 1,650 votes in the People’s Choice Awards.

Bass Coast Shire Mayor, Cr Michael Whelan said it was great to see the Business Awards back after being cancelled in 2020.

"Our local businesses have all been hit hard by the pandemic, in one way or another, which made this year’s Awards more important than ever in recognising the excellence, innovation and resilience of the local business community," Cr Whelan said.

It was a fantastic night, with over 110 people attending from 24 different Bass Coast businesses.

"It’s a great achievement for businesses to be selected as finalists in the awards and a real testament to the quality of their products, service and overall operation,” Cr Whelan said.

"I’d like to congratulate everyone who was involved in the Business Awards this year, including all of the award winners and finalists and everyone who entered or nominated a business.

"I’d also like to thank our award sponsors, Bendigo Bank, Destination Phillip Island, GBS Recruitment, NBN Local – Gippsland, Silverwater Resort, The Sentinel Times and Westernport Water, as well as Council’s Economic Development Team who worked tirelessly to make this year’s event another huge success."

For more information on this year’s Business Awards finalists, visit www.basscoast.vic.gov.au/businessawards.

2021 Business Award winners

Business Innovation Award

Winner: National Vietnam Veterans Museum

Runner up: Hair by Sarah Azzato

Employment, Diversity and Inclusion Award

Winner: Sunscape Solar

Runner up: Wonthaggi Allied Health

Environment and Sustainability Award

Winner: Harman Wines

Runner up: French Island Cottage

Leadership Award

Winner: The Cape Kitchen

Runners up: Bass Strait Direct and Harman Wines

Marketing and Communications Award

Winner: Phillip Island Helicopters

Runner up: The Invy Baker

Resilience Award

Winner: Harman Wines

Runner up: The Cape Kitchen

2021 People’s Choice Award winners

Accommodation and Tourism Attraction

Winner: Wildlife Coast Cruises

Runner up: Phillip Island Helicopters

Food and Beverage Award

Winner: Harman Wines

Runner up: Cheeky Goose Café

Hair and Beauty Award

Winner: Hair by Sarah Azzato

Runner up: Shima Salon

Health, Wellbeing and Lifestyle Award

Winner: Balance Health Phillip Island

Runenrs up: Lioness Fit and Wonthaggi Allied Health

Online, Mobile and Home-based Business Award

Winner: Local Clothing

Runners up: Gippy Organics and The Invy Baker

Retail and Services Award

Winner: Bass Coast Boat and Caravan Storage

Runner up: Bass Strait Direct

Trades and Services Award

Winner: Inverloch Gutter and Solar Panel Cleaning

Runner up: Van Steensel Timber - Grantville