By BRIDGET COOK
CASEY and Cardinia councils have again joined forces to celebrate and promote business in the region, by combining their awards program.
This year will mark the inaugural 2014 Casey Cardinia Business Awards, with businesses from across the two municipalities competing for the 13 esteemed awards.
Businesses have from now until 16 May to get their applications in.
City of Casey mayor Geoff Ablett encouraged local businesses to enter the awards, which he said would recognise and reward businesses in the region.
“The Casey Cardinia Business Awards are a great opportunity to highlight the achievements of businesses in our community and support their excellence and innovation,” he said.
“Regardless of their industry, size or age, all local businesses are eligible and I encourage them to enter.”
Cardinia Shire Council mayor Graeme Moore said the joint business awards would build on the success of the Casey Cardinia region investment attraction partnership which was launched in 2013.
“The growth corridor in Casey and Cardinia is a fantastic area in which to do business,” he said.
“The key focus of our investment attraction partnership is to increase the number of jobs in the area, so that fewer residents need to leave the Casey Cardinia region for work, and to help boost the growth of businesses already in the area.”
The awards will comprise of 10 category awards, two judges’ awards and the award for Casey Cardinia Business of the Year.
Businesses are eligible to enter in one category, and then winners of each section will be automatically nominated for Business of the Year Award.
Winners will be announced at a gala awards dinner on 9 October.
Casey Cardinia Business Awards major sponsors include Commonwealth Bank, Pitcher Partners, Monash University, Waterman Business Centres, Westfield Fountain Gate and media partner Star News Group.
For further information and to download an application form visit www.caseycardinia.com.au/businessawards.
**PLEASE BOX**
Casey Cardinia Business Awards categories and their sponsors.
Agriculture and Primary Industries (Sponsored by the Southern Melbourne RDA Committee)
Business and Professional Services (Sponsored by the Department of State Development, Business and Innovation)
Health, Education and Wellbeing (Sponsored by St John of God Hospital Berwick)
Home Based Business (Sponsored by Safe Super Homes)
Hospitality and Tourism (Sponsored by Cranbourne Golf Club)
Manufacturing (Sponsored by Metropolitan Planning Authority)
New business (Sponsored by Telstra Business Centre Casey Cardinia)
Retail (Sponsored by RACV)
Social Enterprise (Sponsored by MatchWorks)
Trades and Construction (Sponsored by Selandra Rise)
Environmental Sustainability Award (Sponsored by Kernow Environmental Services)
Judges’ Recognition Award (Sponsored by mecwarecare)
Casey Cardinia Business of the Year Award (Sponsored by the City of Casey and Cardinia Shire Council)
