The team from Jules Sub Store with their Giraffe. Photo: Supplied.
Cootamundra’s movers and shakers gathered at the Country Club on Friday night to celebrate the 2022 Cootamundra Business Awards.
After a virtual event in 2020 and limited numbers last year, Business Cootamundra’s Leah Sutherland said it was great to let their hair down.
“It was fantastic. We’ve got really good feedback so far and all the winners were really well received,” she said.
“There were big cheers going up for the winners and it was great to have so many submissions in all the categories.”
Winners and ”highly commendeds” were announced across 11 categories, with Stockinbingle pig farmer Jason Bates picking up two awards for his fabulously named business Stockinpiggle.
Recognised for Excellence in Innovation and as Outstanding Young Business Leader, Jason says it was humbling to be recognised by the community and he was doubly surprised when he picked up the second award.
“I couldn’t believe it. I was up against some pretty big and innovative companies that employ a lot of people so it was cool to take that one out,” he said.
Jason not only raises his own pigs but owns a butcher’s shop delivering directly from farm to plate.
“It’s been a couple of wet years now and with pigs it doesn’t make it easy,” he said.
“But things are picking up and I think COVID got people looking for a different way of getting their food and maybe not so much relying on the supermarket.
“It’s good that people have started looking towards supporting local and buying local so we’re all about getting produce direct to the consumer and building a local community for food.”
Jason Bates (right) from Stockinpiggle claimed two awards on the night. Photo: Supplied.
One of the most prized awards each year is the ”Giraffe” for customer service.
“It’s to recognise a business that looks after its customers and sticks its head up above all the others,” explained Leah.
“We actually had a little leadlight giraffe made up and people just really want the giraffe so it’s really popular and hotly contested.”
The Giraffe this year went to Jules Sub Store, which has been dishing up great takeaway with a smile for almost two years now.
“It was great to get that feedback on how we get on really well with all our customers, and the staff are all happy in their jobs, so that makes it a lot easier,” said owner Julie Hotson.
“We’ve got a great spot with a park across the road where people pull up and we’re supported by a wide range of different people, so it’s good.”
Julie said they’d already added the unique trophy to the roster.
“We’ve already put ‘Gerry’ the giraffe on our Facebook page and he drew our Father’s Day giveaway for us yesterday,” she laughed.
Julie added that there had been a positive spirit to the awards night that she felt represented a resurgence in the business community.
”I’ve got really great vibes that this place is going to be booming in the next 12 months,” she said.
Gerry the giraffe drawing the raffle winner. Photo: Supplied.
Here’s a full list of the winners of the 2022 Cootamundra Business Awards.
- Outstanding Community Organisation (NSW Aligned)
Winner: Can Assist Catering Volunteers
Highly Commended: Country Education Foundation of Cootamundra - Excellence in Innovation (NSW Aligned)
Winner: Stockinpiggle Free-Range Pastured Pork & Pig Stud - Outstanding Start-up (NSW Aligned)
Winner: Riverina Music Therapy
Highly Commended: Belle and Bow Co - Employee of the Year (NSW Aligned)
Winner: Ty Wickham – Newsoil
Highly Commended: Julie Cowell – The Arts Centre Cootamundra - Individual Dedication to Customer Service
Winner: Sarah Carr – CW Jewellers
Highly Commended: Rebecca Bragg – The Bush Chemist Cootamundra
Highly Commended: Aliza Schultz – The Reject Shop Cootamundra - Outstanding Young Business Leader (NSW Aligned)
Winner: Jason Bates -Stockinpiggle Free-Range Pastured Pork & Pig Stud
Highly Commended: Kristen Izzard – Cootamundra Early Learning Centre - Outstanding Business Leader (NSW Aligned)
Winner: Emma Muller – Horizon United
Highly Commended: Jessica Roberts – Creekside Kids
Highly Commended: Megan Sawyer – Cootamundra Ex-Services Club - Excellence in Micro Business (NSW Aligned)
Winner: Indiglo Massage and Beauty
Highly Commended: Clean-A-Gutter Vacuum Services - Excellence in Small Business (NSW Aligned)
Winner: Dusty Road Coffee Roasters
Highly Commended: Cootamundra Veterinary Clinic - Excellence in Business (NSW Aligned)
Winner: JMA Legal - The Giraffe Award for Customer Service
Jules Sub Store
Dusty Road Coffee Roasters won the Small Business award. Photo: Supplied.
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