The region's outstanding business community has been celebrated at the 2021 Hunter Business Awards in a night full of fanfare and excitement at Newcastle's Civic Theatre.
The region's peak business organisation, Business Hunter conducted the awards ceremony last night, which kicked off with a surprise encore set of the recently staged Metropolitan Players performance of Priscilla: Queen of the Desert.
Sixteen winners were chosen from 70 finalists across a range of categories. The winners will go on to be finalists in the Business NSW State Business Awards being held virtually on November 26.
Stephen Hunt of Hunt Hospitality took out Business Leader of the Year among a strong list of nominees, while Blackrock Industries' Steven Fordham was named Young Business Leader.
Deck Café at Lovedale won the Innovation and Adaptability category for their innovation in spearheading a take-away degustation menu to bring delicious high end meals to locked-down homes, while the Port of Newcastle won the Contribution to the Region Award.
Business Hunter CEO Bob Hawes said the night had a flair of celebration from the get-go and the atmosphere was one of festivity and recognition of the enduring challenges businesses faced in 2021.
"It was an evening marked by a celebration of success, ultimately," Mr Hawes said.
"Our business communities came together to pay homage to one another and tribute each other's achievements in another tumultuous year.
"We saw winners from diverse sectors - energy and coal, natural cosmetics and products, environmental organisations and small businesses and entrepreneurs driving new business and industry in the Hunter.
"Our award winners this year really showed how diverse and ready our region is to grow and contribute to the recovery economy in Australia."
Business Hunter president Tony Rhodes said the awards showcased the business community's entrepreneurial spirit with a focus on community and sustainability central to the categories.
Mr Rhodes presented a special Business Hunter President's Award to the COVID-19 Response Team at Hunter New England Local Health District.
"This year was a year to acknowledge community as well as business," Mr Rhodes said.
"With COVID's enduring impact throughout 2021, it was important that our Board recognise that business contribution is sometimes reflected through community organisations like Hunter New England Health.
"It was clear this year that the team stepped up and delivered day in and day out for our community when we needed them the most."
The 2021 awards attracted more than 120 entries overall and were finalised down to 70 finalists across the categories.
Mr Hawes said the strong response showed the region had an appetite of resilience and success despite the challenges at its feet.
"Not all industries in the Hunter were adversely impacted by the events of the past two years, but by and large our awards showcased the endurance of our region and our capacity to continue to deliver for our region in spite of what else is going on," he said.
"We continue to show that we are a region ready and I congratulate all our finalists and winners once again."
This year was a year to acknowledge community as well as business.
Business Hunter president Tony Rhodes
