Local businesses are the backbone of the community, and the annual Gippsland Business Awards are a key means of acknowledging the remarkable businesses that make Gippsland a better place to live, according to Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester.
“The 2024 Federation University Gippsland Business Awards finalists have been announced, with 23 businesses from across the electorate vying for honours,” Mr Chester said.
“Local businesses play a crucial role in the community and are particularly important in regional communities like Gippsland, serving as the region’s largest employers and sponsors of local groups and events.
“We are fortunate to have so many amazing businesses here in Gippsland that go above and beyond for their communities, and the Gippsland Business Awards is an opportunity to recognise and celebrate those businesses who are helping to make Gippsland a better place to work, live and visit.”
Businesses from across Gippsland are vying for honours in 12 industry and specialist categories including Accommodation, Beauty and Personal Care, Business and Professional Services, Food and Wine Producers, Health and Wellbeing, Hospitality, Innovation, Manufacturing, Mechanical Trades and Construction, New Business, Retail, and Tourism Activities and Attractions.
“I had the opportunity to catch up with one of this year’s accommodation finalists, Tom Moulton, who is the co-owner of M. Hotel in Sale, alongside his brother Richard, and check out the newly refurbished accommodation and congratulate the team on being named a finalist,” Mr Chester said.
“In 2016, the Sale brothers made a career switch, leaving their professions as property managers to proprietors, purchasing Siesta Central Apartments on York Street.
“Tom and Richard successfully established themselves in the industry, winning the Accommodation category at the 2022 Gippsland Business Awards, and then purchased the Midtown Motor Inn during COVID.
“Since then, they’ve undertaken significant remodelling before rebranding the apartment and studio complex to m.hotel last year.”
The 26th Gippsland Business Awards category winners will be announced at a gala presentation on Friday, August 30, at Federation University’s Gippsland campus in Churchill, with the top honour, the Gippsland Business of the Year, selected from the category winners.
