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small business Grants and awards | November 02, 2016

Business achievement awards showcase Wimmera

I congratulate the Wimmera Development Association and local businesses on the success of the 2016 Business Achievement Awards.

The Awards dinner was an inspiring evening showcasing a large number of local businesses that are thriving and achieving great success.

The 2016 Business of the Year, Australian Wildflowers, is an outstanding local business based at Laharum producing over 13,000 posies a week and exporting to China and Japan.

Australian Wildflowers is also a great supporter of our local Karen community and often go above and beyond to ensure successful settlement in the Wimmera by assisting to secure housing and integration opportunities in the local community.

It was inspiring to see Australian Wildflowers donate their prize package to the recently opened Paw Po Products in Nhill. This is an initiative of the Nhill Learning Centre and local Karen community to provide a training centre that builds job ready skills in business and retail, and a great little gift shop.

Congratulations to all finalists and particularly award winners Gariwerd Motel (Halls Gap), Pick a Posie (Horsham), Dimboola Guardian Pharmacy, Border Inn Hotel (Apsley), Laser Electrical (Horsham), Goolum Goolum Aboriginal Cooperative, Grampians Helicopters (Stawell), Wheaton’s Store (Broughton), Solace Beauty lounge and Wellness Spa (Stawell), Young Leader in Business Cobie McQueen of Priceline, Horsham and Apprentice of the Year Chris Gulvin of Laser Electrical, Horsham.  

To hear the wonderful opportunities and success of businesses in the Wimmera gives me great confidence in the future of our region. We certainly have exciting times ahead.

Emma Kealy MP

Member for Lowan