![Salvatore Trimbole, Nathan Thomas and Sarah Armstrong](https://regionriverina.com.au/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2023/07/IMG-8555-1200x539.jpg)
Salvatore Trimbole, Nathan Thomas and Sarah Armstrong, who have all featured in Region articles, are some of this year’s award nominees. Photo: Oliver Jacques.
A record number of nominations has been put forward for the 2023 Griffith Business Chamber awards, which recognise outstanding achievements by individuals and companies in business.
“We received 77 self-nominations for the Business NSW Aligned Awards, 15 nominations for Local Business Woman of the Year and thousands of entries [voted for by residents] for Local Customer Service Award, which has been narrowed down to 15 finalists,” chamber secretary and event organiser Amanda Quarisa said.
Categories such as “Outstanding Employee”, “Outstanding Business Leader” and “Employer of Choice”, are aligned with the statewide peak body Business NSW’s awards. This means the local winners move on to the regional finals, then if successful on to the state finals.
Griffith businesses such as Aquna Murray Cod, Bella Vita Riverina Tours and Flavourtech have previously gone on to win the top gong in statewide titles.
“It’s important to point out that the judges for the 10 aligned awards were sourced outside of Griffith, which provide an impartial and non-biased approach to judging,” Ms Quarisa said.
It’s the first time the local awards night has been held since 2019, as the COVID-plagued years prevented the event from happening from 2020 to 2022.
You can read more about several of this year’s nominees in Region articles, including the inventor of the rain measuring app SparkDrop, Sarah Armstrong, perennial charity fundraiser Salvatore Trimboli of La Piccola Grosseria, veteran real estate agent Nathan Thomas, the always generous Gurdwara Singh Sabha Society Griffith (NSW) Incorporated, tennis star and physio Megan Polkinghorne and the multi-award winning business the Athlete’s Foot Griffith.
This year’s successful business awards nominees will be announced at the now sold-out awards night, which will be held on Saturday 5 August at the Exies Bagtown. This event doubles as the 70th birthday celebration of the business chamber and will feature guest MC Sam Powers, the illusionist who shot to fame after reaching the grand final of the hit TV show Australia’s Got Talent.
“It’s going to be a pretty spectacular evening,” Ms Quarisa said.
“I want to express my gratitude to all those who entered. I understand that entering the business awards during a time when you are facing workforce shortages and end of financial year tasks presented additional challenges. Your decision to enter despite these obstacles, demonstrates your commitment and dedication to excellence. Your efforts are commendable, and I wish you the best of luck on the night.
“Thank you to our vice-president Alycia McLean for her involvement in making the awards a success. Thank you to our category sponsors and once again Griffith City Council in sponsoring this event, you all play an essential role in making the awards possible.”
![Group of Owen Toyota with awards](https://regionriverina.com.au/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2023/07/67709145_2792710227409797_8623245726987583488_n-1200x900.jpeg)
Owen Toyota picked up the award for employer of choice at the last Business Awards in 2019 and is nominated for the same category this year. Photo: Facebook.
FULL LIST OF AWARD NOMINEES
Outstanding Employee
Sarah Taranto – Owen Motor Group
Paul Connell – Owen Motor Group
Macy Spencer – Soul Property Agents
Maria Trimboli – La Piccola Grosseria
Fiona Smith – Quest Griffith
Victor Wild – Beckom Road House
Outstanding Young Business Leader
SparkDrop – Sarah Armstrong
Troy Andreazza – Andreazza Electrical
Cassandra Cadorin- Candid Marketing
Bianca Piromalli – Bianca’s Cakery
Sarah Taranto – Owen Motor Group
Anjelica Diaz-Forrester – Ally Fashion
Megan Polkinghorne – Physifitness Sports Injury Prevention
Jamie Prendergast – Burson Auto Parts
Katie White – The Coro Club
Outstanding Business Leader
Michelle Burns -The Aisling Distillery
Cassandra Irvin – Elements of Health & Wellness
Gavin Dal Broi – Broidal Contracting
Salvatore Trimboli – La Piccola Grosseria
Brett Stonestreet PSM – Griffith City Council
Nathan Thomas – Soul Property Agents
Jenny Ellis – Made to Thrive
Employer of Choice
La Piccola Grosseria – Griffith
Country Universities Centre Western Riverina
Aitken Rowe Testing Laboratories
Hunt & Hunt Lawyers
Owen Toyota
McDonald’s
Centacare South West NSW
Quest Griffith
Outstanding Start-Up
SparkDrop
CanTicket PTY LTD
Riverina Mobile Vet & Equine Dentistry
Odelyne Agency
Kylie the Doula
Rule Tiling
Excellence in Micro Business
Arose Nail Studio
Candid Marketing PTY LTD
Fluid Engineering
Pure Laser
Griffith Wellness Clinic
La Piccola Grosseria-Griffith
Riverina Skips
Excellence in Small Business
Andreazza Electrical Pty Ltd
Black Line Swim School
Griffith Golf Club Co-Operative Society Limited
Worm Tech
The Athletes Foot Griffith
Anytime Fitness Griffith
Excellence in Large Business
Aquna Sustainable Murray Cod
Multiquip-Griffith
VOAG Pty Ltd
The Coro Club
Outstanding Community Organisation
Big Brothers Big Sisters Riverina
Griffith Blacks Rugby Club
Soroptimist International Griffith Inc
Griffith Musician’s Club
Rural Financial Counselling Service NSW
Country Universities Centre Western Riverina
The Gurdwara Singh Sabha Society Griffith (NSW) Incorporated
Griffith Swans
Centacare South West NSW
Griffith Aged Support Service
Griffith Filipino Basketball League
Multicultural Council of Griffith Inc
Griffith Post School Options
Griffith Hampers of Hope
Outstanding Visitor Experience
Yarran Wines
Griffith Regional Sport Centre
The Gem Hotel
Festa delle Salsicce (Griffith Salami Festival)
The Gurdwara Singh Sabha Society Griffith (NSW) Incorporated
La Piccola Grosseria-Griffith
Blood, Sweat and Beers – Independent Craft Beer Festival and Home Brew Competition
Pioneer Park Museum
Riverina Field Days
Business Woman of the Year
Cassandra Cadorin
Sarah Taranto
Louise Pullen
Cassandra Irvin
Michelle Burns
Kellie Hoffman
Rachael Fattore
Megan Polkinghorne
Kylie Zandona
Julia O’Connell
Errin Eisenhut
Rescelle Joy Dingle Vargas
Bianca Piromalli
Rachael Huntly
Darrelea Curran
15 finalists for Local Customer Service Award
All Steel
Ally Fashion
Arose Nail Studio
Athletes Foot Griffith
Broomes Fruit & Veg
Cafe 2sixty2
Fred Cole Betta Electrical
La Piccola Grosseria
Pure Laser
Station 4 Cafe
Eclipse The Essential Spa
Griffith Drive Thru Pharmacy
Peeches
Collier & Miller
SDS Dance Studio