Best in business

By Bridget Brady
FROM a field of more than 80 local businesses, the finalists of the inaugural Casey Business Awards were announced in Lynbrook yesterday.
Casey councillor Beverley Hastie announced the finalists of the nine categories at the latest Casey Business Forum breakfast at the Lynbrook Hotel.
Casey Council received 121 applications in total and said it was delighted with the response to the awards, which aim to celebrate and promote the achievements of local businesses.
Former Melbourne Football Club captain Robert Flower was the guest speaker at the breakfast, and shared his story of transforming from an unenthusiastic student who used to practice his autograph in class for when he became a famous footballer to a now successful businessman working in the education field.
Mr Flower works with a program that helps disengaged students, and tees them up with sporting organisations where they can complete a certificate three, four or diploma in sport and recreation.
The winners of the Casey Business Awards will be announced on 27 August.
The finalists are:
Home-based business of the Year Award: Day Spa Parties, Euro Style Timber Floors, EcoFuture.
Small Independent Retailer of the Year Award: Be Your Best Physiotherapy, Fields of Fairies, Framing to a T, and Tackle World Cranbourne.
Agriculture and Primary Industries Award: Favero Gardens, Freni and Doria, Oasis. New Business of the Year: Full Circle Health Management, Eightyone, Travel Managers.
Manufacturer of the Year Award: Australian Solar, Back to Earth, Successful Endeavours.
Food, Wine and Hospitality Award:1884 The Courthouse, Eightyone, Margo’s Fine Chocolates, Shanikas Berwick.
Business and Professional Services Award: A Better Dental Care, St John of God Hospital, Berwick, Successful Endeavours, Travel Managers.
Trades and Construction Award: Banks, Botanic Homes, Eurostyle Timber Floors.
Franchise of the Year Award: Mortgage Choice Berwick, Quest Narre Warren, Telechoice Fountain Gate.