2023 Business Excellence Awards Winners

The Regional Prosperity award recognised the most outstanding category winner.  Awarded to a business that was recognised as achieving outstanding results, exhibiting sound management and demonstrating all-round excellence.

With its Kalbar facility the only one of its kind in Australia, Plasvacc operates in three countries and is at the forefront of the veterinary industry. It exports to fifteen countries and helps to ensure the welfare of animals in Australia and abroad through the production of pharmaceuticals that contribute to a high standard of care. Plasvacc has been operating for 25 years and its global success and recognition attests to the company's achievements as an innovator in the animal health and agricultural industries.  

 

 

 

This award recognises an outstanding operator that delivers an exceptional offering and experience to visitors to the Scenic Rim, promoting to and attracting people to the region and enhancing the reputation as a spectacular destination with much to offer.

Nestled in the picturesque countryside of Mount French, this luxurious lodge features eight beautifully appointed apartments accommodating just sixteen guests. The business model is innovative in that the property is let to only one group at a time, attracting families, friends and corporate clients for special celebrations and providing a motivating space for business planning workshops. Recent improvements include additional accommodation and a stunning outdoor pavilion. 

This award recognised an outstanding pub, cafe or restaurant offering an all-round enjoyable dining experience for patrons and maintaining a solid all-round business. Applicants for this category showed particular focus on offering a unique customer experience, a well-crafted and signature product, provided employee training and displayed a strong understanding of customer service.

Picnic Real Food was established in 2021 in the North Stores precinct at North Tamborine. Its menu, with a focus on wholesome food, features fresh produce from local growers and changes seasonally. Environmental sustainability is a key feature in its food packaging and goal of zero waste, which sees 20 kilograms of kitchen food scraps reduced to two kilos of nutrient-rich compost overnight. An Environ Waste Management system manages all on-site wastewater and supports an on-site vegetable, herb and fruit tree garden. 

 

The Excellence in Retail award acknowledges businesses that stand out in this sector as customer demands and expectations keep rapidly evolving.  The winner demonstrated the provision of exceptional customer service, delivered employee satisfaction, demonstrated a solid understanding of their business and industry and demonstrated a strong focus on an efficient and effective store fit-out. 

From a meticulously renovated historic building in Canungra, My Country Escape showcases a carefully curated range of merchandise supporting local products and artisans, from stylish homewares and body products to sustainable clothing, all in a welcoming and uplifting atmosphere. It was judged an outstanding local business which gone from strength to strength, contributing to the community and supporting local events. Collaboration with Griffith University design students has seen the Canungra store expanded to include an outdoor space for community workshops. 

 

This award recognised exceptional professional services offering business-to-business solutions and customised, knowledge-based services.  The professional service sector cuts across many industries, including franchising and the legal and accounting services industries, building and construction (e.g. architects, town planners, engineering consultants), business (e.g. recruitment consultants, human resource management consultants, market researchers, PR consultants, events managers and many more).

Honni Hayton Counselling was established in 2018 in response to the need for accessible and specialised mental health services within the Scenic Rim.  As a sole practitioner, Honni aimed to create a safe, local haven providing expert counselling and tailored support to enhance emotional and mental well-being. She has grown her business and her business skills during the difficult years of the pandemic, successfully pivoting to provide a valuable online counselling service to the community. 

 

Designed to recognise businesses that go above and beyond in their field to offer an exceptional end-to-end service for customers.  This award recognised a business that highlighted their attention to detail in finishing and overall craftsmanship.  This business demonstrated innovative techniques and solutions.

Totally Flooring, a family-owned and operated retail flooring store which opened in Beaudesert in 2021, is a great example of a sole trader taking a leap by utilising trade skills to start their own independent business in what is a largely franchised industry. Providing a high level of customer service, Totally Flooring has its own team of installers and has extended its product line to include window furnishings, tile products and trade accessories. It is a great supporter of local community sport, aims to employ staff who live in the region and also supports other small businesses. 

 

This award was open to primary industry enterprises engaged in agriculture, horticulture, agribusiness and agricultural services.  The winner demonstrated exceptional practices, innovations and advancements in the industry.

Achieving a perfect score of 100 in the awards judging, Aquis Farm is a world-class business with a team of experienced vets, trainers, breeders and industry experts to ensure the well-being and success of racehorses. Established in 2015, it is dedicated to sustainable practices in equine management, environmental stewardship and social responsibility and aspires to be the premier global destination for horse training and racing with bloodlines dominating world events. Water conservation, pasture improvements, paddock rest and use of renewable energy are at the heart of its sustainability practices. 

 

This award recognised businesses engaged in transport, logistics, manufacturing or mining that demonstrate best practice, continuous improvement, creativity and innovation in their sector. 

Established in 1982, Beaudesert Exhaust has grown from providing basic exhaust and radiator parts to large-scale manufacturing and supply chain production.  Beaudesert Exhaust provides services to a range of Australian businesses and manufacturers, including 3D scanning and modelling, specialty coatings and the supply of pre-production components for a broad range of applications. It is at the forefront of automotive manufacturing, catering to customers whose passions include 4WD activities, camping, caravanning, fishing and off-road adventures. 

 

This award recognised and celebrated the work of organisations in the community services sector, who demonstrably made a positive difference to people, families, and communities through innovative and creative practice.

McAuley College opened in January 2017 as a direct result of community advocacy for a Catholic secondary school and enrols a diverse range of students. It offers rural heritage values and supports creative, contemporary and innovative learning through quality teaching in an environment of engagement and community partnership. McAuley College has developed a Senior Program to engage with local businesses to provide work experience and works closely with Mununjali House and Amy Blow to build a space for First Nations students to celebrate their history and story. 

 

This category recognises a business that has been operating for less than two years (businesses operating prior to 30 June 2021, are not eligible for this category) that delivers a product/service/idea/invention with credible potential. This award recognises early-stage start-ups that have a solid chance of market success, and strongly display the entrepreneurial spirit. Businesses will be required to have been operating for a minimum of 12 months to able to nominate in this category.  

The family-owned and operated Neds Restaurant aims to be the destination of choice for steak connoisseurs and those seeking a memorable dining experience in the Scenic Rim. It sources the finest quality ingredients from local suppliers, supporting the regional agricultural and food production sectors, and actively engages with other local businesses in the hospitality and tourism industry to forge strong community partnerships. Its environmental impact is lessened by monitoring energy consumption, reducing waste and sourcing sustainable products.   

 

The Excellence in Business award recognised a business with 20 or more staff, that had attained significant growth and was able to demonstrate the specific strategies and processes implemented to achieve sustainable growth over the previous 12 months.

Plasvacc Pty Ltd manufactures high-quality blood plasma products for horses, camels and dogs was judged as an extremely well-run business with caring staff, a holistic approach to animal welfare and high ethical standards. Of the 27 staff at its Kalbar headquarters, 23 are women, and most are Scenic Rim residents who have enjoyed long-term careers in fields of science, manufacturing, biopharmaceuticals, animal husbandry and administration in a family-friendly workplace. Plasvacc's employees have grown in number worldwide, partly driven by the acquisition of its United Kingdom division. 

Designed to recognise individuals who are currently completing an apprenticeship or traineeship and are demonstrating excellence in all areas of their training, approach to the job and skills growth.

A dedicated, hardworking and community-minded young woman, Kasey Payne has been a school-based trainee at Hayes and Co, where she is currently undertaking a Certificate III in Business. Kasey has demonstrated exceptional commitment to her studies and the agricultural industry, actively participates in the Boonah State High School Cattle Club and is President of the Junior Show Society. She is an aspiring ambassador for vocational training, having also completed Certificate studies in Sport and Recreation and Tourism alongside her school responsibilities. 

 

Boonah State High School's strategic approach to rebuilding its connection with the community has seen enormous benefits for the school, the students and the community. As regions such as the Scenic Rim often lose talented young people to larger urban areas once they graduate, the school is doing all it can to expose its students to the availability of valuable opportunities and industries in the region. The school sees itself as a training ground for the next generation of young people who will help Scenic Rim businesses to succeed in the future through the leadership of Dan Marrone, the enthusiasm of Kelly Skewes and the dedication of its teachers and students.