Business awards finalists revealed

Published on 23 June 2023

Mayor Kay Fraser with Business Excellence Awards winners 2022.jpg

Businesses ranging from hair salons to high-tech virtual reality developers have been named finalists in the Lake Macquarie Business Excellence Awards 2023.

A panel of judges selected more than 50 finalists across 14 categories from this year’s record field of almost 150 entries. Winners will be announced at a gala dinner at Belmont 16s on 21 July.

Lake Macquarie Mayor Kay Fraser said the annual awards highlighted the strength and diversity of businesses in Lake Mac.

“Our city is home to more than 13,500 businesses employing well over 73,000 people,” she said.

“We have an economic output of more than $26 billion, making us one of the regional powerhouses of NSW.

“These awards recognise our top performers, from micro-businesses employing just a few people to large companies turning over millions and providing significant employment opportunities.”

Finalists this year include Mount Hutton’s Salon Ten beauty salon in the ‘Excellence in Diversity and Inclusion’ category, and Resonant Blue, a digital marketing agency that created a virtual reality coal mine for visitors to experience at the new Sugar Valley Library Museum, kirantakamyari, at Cameron Park.

Resonant Blue will compete for the Excellence in Innovation Award.

The Lake Macquarie Business Excellence Awards are proudly supported by gold sponsor Dantia.

Lake Macquarie Business Excellence Awards 2023 finalists

 2023 Category and Sponsor
 Finalists

Outstanding Employee

Sponsored by Newcastle Herald

  • Amy Savonov, Event Cinemas

  • Isaac Brambley, SAPHI

  • Kathryn Barker, Sensational Start Occupational Therapy

  • Xin Li, Hewlett Packard Enterprise

Outstanding Young Business Leader

Sponsored by Kent Conveyancing

  • Eric Johns, SAPHI

  • Joshua Marks - Academy Sheetmetal

  • Max Wroe, Jaegersoft

  • Steven Georgalas, LJ Hooker Belmont

Outstanding Business Leader

Sponsored by Oasis Media

  • Heath Richardson, Hewlett Packard Enterprise

  • Lauren Haskins, A Growing Understanding

  • Jane Beverley, Evolution Advisers

  • Susan MacNeill, Swansea Community Cottage

Employer of Choice - 20 or Less Employees

  • Dynamic Business Technologies

  • SAPHI

  • Sensational Start Occupational Therapy

  • Solutions Management Services

Employer of Choice - 21 or More Employees

Sponsored by Ramsay Health Care

  • Evolution Advisors               

  • Event Cinemas Glendale

  • Lake Group Strata

Excellence in Innovation

Sponsored by University of Newcastle

  • Fire Response

  • Resonant Blue (West Wallsend Mining 1910 and 1979 VR Experience)     

  • SAPHI (Critical Infrastructure Monitoring System)

  • The Wholesome Collective

Excellence in Sustainability

Sponsored by Hunter Water

  • Academy Sheetmetal

  • Imaginelle       

  • OzHarvest

  • Swansea Community Cottage Inc

Outstanding Community Organisation

Sponsored by Allambi Care

  • Business Growth Centre       

  • Survivors R Us

  • Swansea Community Cottage Inc

  • The Wholesome Collective

Outstanding Visitor Experience - Tourism and Hospitality

Sponsored by Weekenda

  • CoastXP         

  • Hunter & Coastal Lifestyle Magazine

  • Lake Macquarie Sailing Tours

  • Lake Macquarie Yacht Club

Outstanding Start-Up
  • Astalty

  • Sunflower Strange     

  • Trusted Socials

  • When Financial Solutions

Excellence in Diversity and Inclusion

Sponsored by Charlestown Square, by the GPT Group

  • A Growing Understanding     

  • Allambi Care

  • Hewlett Packard Enterprise

  • Salon Ten

Excellence in Micro Business

Sponsored by Lake Mac Holiday Parks

  • Fashion Fish Designs

  • Hunter & Coastal Lifestyle Magazine

  • psyborg  

  • Stone Obsessions

Excellence in Small Business

Sponsored by ATUNE Health Centres

  • Fire Response

  • Jaegersoft      

  • Salon Ten

  • SAPHI

Excellence in Large Business

Sponsored by Newcastle Permanent

  • A Growing Understanding

  • Academy Sheetmetal

  • Hewlett Packard Enterprise

  • Lampson Australia