By RUSSELL BENNETT
THE CASEY Cardinia Business Awards were launched with a bang on Thursday with a sponsors’ presentation and networking session at Berwick’s Monash University campus.
Jointly hosted by the Cardinia Shire Council and the City of Casey, this year’s awards will recognise the best and brightest businesses throughout two of the fastest-growing areas of Melbourne’s south-east, and sees the coming together of awards ceremonies from each shire council.
The Commonwealth Bank, Monash University, Pitcher Partners, Waterman Business Centres and Westfield Fountain Gate have jumped aboard as major sponsors for the event, while there will be individual sponsors for the awards on offer.
There are 10 category awards this year, including: Agriculture and Primary Industries; Business and Professional Services; Health, Education and Wellbeing; Home-based Business; Hospitality and Tourism; Manufacturing; New Business; Retail; Social Enterprise; and Trades and Construction.
There will also be three judges’ awards – the Environmental and Sustainability Award, the Judges Recognition Award and the big one … the Casey Cardinia Business of the Year award for 2014.
Judging will be conducted by an independent and volunteer-based panel made up of business experts. The judges work in teams of two per category and conduct on-site visits before the overall panel meets to determine the winners. The judges will be governed by a transparent, points-based scoring system.
The Casey Cardinia Business Awards will celebrate the excellence, success and innovation of the region’s best business community and build on the already strong relationship between the City of Casey and Cardinia Shire Council.
As of 12 March, entries are open for the awards with the finalists announced on 14 August at Berwick’s Monash campus. A gala presentation dinner will then be held on 9 October at the Cardinia Cultural Centre in Pakenham.
To enter the awards, visit caseycardinia.com.au/businessawards
