Zauner Construction has been named Business of the Year at the Riverina Murray Business Awards at the newly renovated Junee Licorice and Chocolate Factory.
The Albury-based construction company was awarded the Employer of Choice – 21 Employees and Over title in recognition of the team’s commitment to both their business and their workforce.
Zauner Construction employee Kiah Beaumont also took out the Outstanding Young Business Leader category.
Serena Hardwick, Director of Business NSW Riverina Murray, said representatives from more than 80 businesses gathered in the revamped function space.
“The new renovation to the Junee Licorice and Chocolate Factory is amazing with the addition of the outside deck,” she said.
“It was great to be the first event there and a great opportunity to showcase the new venue.”
Ms Hardwick congratulated the winners of all 17 categories and the overall award.
“The Riverina Murray Business Awards are an opportunity for our business community to come together from across the Riverina Murray to celebrate their success, innovation, entrepreneurship and leadership,” Ms Hardwick said.
“The awards are also an opportunity for us to showcase the amazing and diverse array of businesses that operate here.
“Zauner Construction has demonstrated that investing in good workplace culture has many benefits, and creating a strong foundation for emerging leaders is one of them.”
With many small businesses doing it tough, Ms Hardwick said it was even more important to celebrate local success.
“While I acknowledge the current economic climate has had its challenges for a lot of businesses across the region, we have received more applications than previously and had representation from some of our most vulnerable industries,” she said.
“I believe that this tells a story of opportunity for businesses who are thinking about operating here and demonstrates our resilience as a region.”
Winners will now go on to represent the region at the State Business Awards in Sydney on 30 October.
2024 Murray Riverina Regional Winners
Excellence in Micro Business
Winner: Ladbroken Distilling Co – Tumbarumba
Highly Commended – Candid Marketing – Griffith
Excellence in Small Business
Winner: Deni Play on the Plains Festival – Deniliquin
Highly Commended: Business Edge Advisors – Albury
Excellence in Large Business
Winner: Riverina Medical and Dental Corporation – Wagga Wagga
Outstanding New Business
Winner: Footsteps Podiatry – Albury
Outstanding Employee
Winner: Michael Peacock, Alan Harris McDonald – Wagga Wagga
Outstanding Young Business Leader
Winner: Kiah Beaumont, Zauner Construction – Albury
Outstanding Business Leader – 20 employees and under
Winner: Rebecca O’Brien, BRIE Corporate – Albury
Outstanding Business Leader – 21 employees and over
Winner: Martin Dooner, Charles Sturt Campus Services – Wagga Wagga
Excellence in Innovation
Winner: Technocrete- Albury
Highly Commended – Zetifi – Wagga Wagga
Excellence in International Business
Winner: SunRice Group – Leeton and Deniliquin
Excellence in Sustainability
Winner: Boschetti– Albury
Employer of Choice – 20 employees and under
Winner: PRD – Albury Wodonga
Employer of Choice – 21 employees and over
Winner: Zauner Construction – Albury
Excellence in Diversity and Inclusion
Winner: Thomas Bros – Wagga Wagga
Outstanding Visitor Experience
Winner: Ladbroken Distillery – Tumbarumba
Outstanding Community Organisation
Winner: PCYC Wagga Wagga
Outstanding Local Chamber
Winner: Deniliquin Business Chamber
Business of the Year
Winner: Zauner Construction