Katoomba’s Spa Sublime was the brightest star under a brilliant night’s sky at the third annual Blue Mountains Business Advantage Awards last Friday, winning three prizes including the prestigious Harry Hammon Gold Business Advantage Award.
More than 350 guests were ushered by Ghawazi Caravan belly dancers into a giant candlelit marquee in the grounds of historic property Yester Grange in Wentworth Falls to wine, dine and recognise excellence in the Blue Mountains business sector.
Sixteen awards were up for grabs for 54 finalists from a record pool of 261 entrants on a glamorous evening hosted by well-known Australian actor Michael Caton.
Spa Sublime received the night’s biggest honour — the Harry Hammon Award — but also won awards in the categories of Beauty, Health and Fitness and Customer Service.
Spa Sublime owner Lynda Davis said she never thought her business would win the top award this year, having entered the awards since 2007.
“It never crossed my mind — I was sitting right at the back talking to my husband (during the award presentation) and suddenly it (the winner) was Spa Sublime,” Mrs Davis said.
“I was extremely surprised and my staff were over the moon — it was so exciting.”
“For us, the customer service award was the real surprise because it was a highly contested category by some really great local businesses.”
When asked what the secret was for being a triple winner at the awards, Mrs Davis thanked her staff and said the answer was simply “a lot of hard work”.
Bygone Beauties Antique Emporium and Tearoom in Leura also won a hat-trick of awards — the Integral Energy Community Contribution Award, the BlueMountainsAustralia.com People’s Choice Award and the Tourism Business of the Year Award.
Another multi-award winner, Glenella Restaurant and Guest House in Blackheath, won the Restaurant, Cafes and Catering Award and the New Business Award.
It was an extra special moment for Glenella’s new owners Katherine Strong and Gareth McAuliffe, who were accompanied by Katherine’s parents, William and Christine, who flew in from Wales.
Other winners were All Flowers of Blaxland (retail and shopping), Loxley on Bellbird Hill (environmental business practices), Harvey Carr Realty (business services), Blue Mountains Concert Society (culture, arts and entertainment), Liberty Conveyancing (Blue Mountains Gazette Innovation Award), Rebecca Milosavljevic from Hakuna Matatas Hair and Beauty Studio (Telstra Employer of the Year Award), Maria Vergotis from Allure Hair Designs (Employee of the Year) and Michael Edwards Lifestyle Homes (skilled trades).
Nine high commendation awards were also presented to Blue Mountains businesses in eight categories.
The awards are a partnership between Biznet (the regional chamber of commerce), Blue Mountains City Council and Blue Mountains Tourism Limited and were born out of a demand from the business community to recognise excellence.
Major sponsors were the Blue Mountains Gazette, Stralia Web, Telstra, the Commonwealth Bank, Coles, Integral Energy, Scenic World and the Penrith City and District Business Advisory Centre.
Award presenters included mayor Adam Searle, Scenic World owner Phil Hammon, Telstra Greater Sydney general manager Jon Grahame, Member for Blue Mountains Phil Koperberg and Member for Macquarie Bob Debus.
Mr Debus summed up the event’s meaning when he said “this is a night to celebrate success and a sector that knows where it’s going”.
For a full list of winners and high commendations plus more photos taken on the night, visit www.bluemountainsgazette.com.au.< p>
2009 BMBA Award Winners
1. Retail & Shopping
Winner: All Flowers of Blaxland
Highly Commended: Soul Pattinson
2. Culture, the Arts and Entertainment
Winner: Blue Mountains Concert Society
3. Restaurants, Cafes & Catering
Winner: Glenella Guest House & Restaurant
4. Skilled Trades
Winner: Michael Edwards Lifestyle Homes
Highly Commended: Joe Mercieca Constructions Pty Ltd
5. Business Services
Winner: Harvey Carr Realty
Highly Commended: Century 21 Wentworth Falls
6. Beauty, Health & Fitness
Winner: Spa Sublime
Highly Commended: Aclipz Hair Design
Highly Commended: Hakuna Matatas Hair & Beauty Studio
7. Customer Service
Winner: Spa Sublime
Highly Commended: Aclipz Hair Design
8. New Business
Winner: Glenella Guest House & Restaurant
9. Environmental Business Practices
Winner: Loxley on Bellbird Hill
Highly Commended: Blue Mountains Eco Solutions
10. Blue Mountains Gazette Innovation Award
Winner: Liberty Conveyancing
Highly Commended: The Echo
11. Integral Energy Community Contribution Award
Winner: Bygone Beautys
12. Telstra Employer of the Year
Winner: Rebecca Milosavljevic
Hakuna Matatas hair & Beauty Studio
Employee of the Year
Winner: Maria Vergotis
Allure Hair Designs
14. BlueMountainsAustralia.com People’s Choice Award
Winner: Bygone Beautys
Highly Commended: Bikeminded
15. Tourism Business of the Year
Winner: Bygone Beautys
16. Harry Hammon Golden Business Award
Winner: Spa Sublime
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