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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