Business Award 2012

Frankston and Mornington Peninsula

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OCTOBER 18 | 2012

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CONGRATULATIONS to all nominees and winners

of the Frankston and Mornington Peninsula Excellence in Business

Awards 2012

FRANKSTON & MORNINGTON PENINSULA

EXCELLENCEINBUSINESSAWARDS2012

The feel-good success stories

Dolphins on the doorstep: Bottlenose dolphins snapped in Port Phillip Bay by Troy Muir of Polperro Dolphin Swims, one of the diversewinners of the 2012 Excellence in Business Awards.

The Weekly loves home-grownsuccess stories, and there’splenty to be found in the 2012

Frankston and Mornington PeninsulaExcellence in Business Awards.

More than 60 high-qualityapplications were whittled down by apanel of judges into nine finalists andone overall winner.

Judge David Gregory told theWeekly he was impressed by thevariety, innovation and creativity of allthe contenders.

Mr Gregory, who has evaluatedcountless companies in his role as chiefexecutive of the Small BusinessMentoring Service, said judges werelooking for passion, innovation and afocus on working with the community.

Equipment Safety Systems wasnamed overall winner ‘‘for theirinnovation and bringing somethingnew to the area as well as going out toa world market place’’, he said.

‘‘Their safety measure could becomea compulsory component for theindustry.

‘‘It’s a wonderful thing to save livesthat has been invented here and takento the world.’’

All finalists, however, broughtsomething unique to the awards,whether it was Polperro DolphinSwim’s unwavering commitment toprotecting the bay — and its playfulbottlenose inhabitants — or HelloBlossoms’ determination to createfloral magic for brides on theirspecial day.

PACE Health Management ispassionate about empowering peopleto take control of their own health

while Frankston Mornington Penin-sula Local Learning and EmploymentNetwork empowers young peoplethrough training and education.

Express Virtual Meetings makes

meetings a breeze through technologywhile Eden Gardens and GardenCentre is active in the community itsupplies with gorgeous plants andhomewares.

Stillwater at Crittenden is deter-mined to showcase the best in foodand wine and The Enchanted Mazeand Garden continues to find newways to delight youngsters — and the

young at heart. Our congratulations toall the finalists for being leaders intheir fields and inspirations for Frank-ston and peninsula firms.

— Sandra BullEditor, Frankston Weekly, Peninsula

Weekly, Western Port Weekly

COVER: Overall winner: TheEquipment Safety Systemsteam. Picture: Gary Sissons

AND THE WINNER IS . . .INDUSTRYHealth and wellbeing: PACEHealth ManagementHospitality: Stillwater atCrittendenRetail: Eden Gardens and GardenCentresService: Express Virtual MeetingsManufacturing: Equipment SafetySystems Pty LtdTourism: The Enchanted MazeGarden

SPECIALISEDYoung entrepreneur: HelloBlossomsCommunity partnership: Frank-ston Mornington Peninsula LocalLearning and EmploymentNetworkEnvironmental sustainability:Polperro Dolphin Swims

OVERALL WINNER: EquipmentSafety Systems Pty Ltd

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Keeping up the pace

Services for all: Practice manager Catie Orth with Ryan Poole. Picture: Gary Sissons

BY SANDRA BULL

Unlike many businesses, PACE HealthManagement couldn’t be happier if itsclients don’t keep returning.

“Our primary goal is education towards theoutcome of self-management,” director andco-owner Ryan Poole said.

This year’s winner in the health and well-beingcategory, PACE specialises in clinical exercisephysiology and workplace wellness programsand services.

PACE began in 1998 when Mr Poole, newlygraduated with a university degree related tohuman movement and a keen interest in healthand fitness, saw an opportunity to fill a niche inthe quality personal training market.

PACE has evolved into an exercise physiologypractice, staffed by university qualified alliedhealth professionals who specialise in deliveringsafe and effective clinical exercise, lifestyle andbehaviour modification programs for theprevention, management and treatment of arange of chronic diseases and injuries and forgeneral conditioning.

The company has a head office in FrankstonSouth and seven other clinics in locations includ-ing Mornington, Langwarrin and Rosebud.

“We go to workplaces, schools and RSLs andretirement villages. Our services are for theyoung, old and everyone in between,’’ Mr Poolesaid.

He said those with chronic diseases such asdiabetes and cardiovascular and respiratory con-ditions could reap tremendous benefits by seek-ing advice from an exercise physiology practice.

The diabetes program, for example, coversnutrition, exercise and lifestyle choice — allfactors where improvements can boost a client’sstrength and reduce reliance on medication.

While clients are welcome to return for

continuing classes or treatment, the PACEphilosophy is all about giving them the tools totake control of managing their condition.

“Just by helping to improve people’s aware-ness and education with a strong focus on self-management, you’re essentially educating peopleto look after themselves,” Mr Poole said. “It’sabout making them more empowered by havingthe tools necessary to look after themselves.”

Presented by Asian Pacific Serviced OfficesHealth and Wellbeing Award

THE FINALISTSPACE Health ManagementPeninsula Hot Springs

The Sports Injury Clinic

THE WINNERPACE Health Management



From cafe to aluxury offering

Still waters run deep: Zac Poulier enjoys a glass ofwine from his highly successful Stillwater atCrittenden venue. Picture: Daryl Gordon

BY MELISSA WALSH

When Zac and Jacqui Poulier took overwhat was known as Critter’s Cafe eightyears ago, it was a small business.

The dynamic duo transformed it intoStillwater at Crittenden, a multi-award winningDromana venue which has now won thehospitality category of the Excellence in BusinessAwards for two consecutive years.

Stillwater at Crittenden is a modern vineyardrestaurant, specialising in relaxed fine dining,weddings and special events, local produce andfeaturing four-star AAA tourism-rated luxurylakeside villas.

‘‘Both Jacqui and myself have a hospitalitybackground, having cooked and served allaround the world, although we are originallyfrom the peninsula,’’ Mr Poulier said.

‘‘We have made lots of improvements over theyears, setting out to rebrand the business andcreate what is now known as Stillwater atCrittenden. Since we began it has gone fromstrength to strength and is now one of the bestwinery restaurants on the peninsula. We cater fora lot of weddings and special occasions, as wellas having the winery restaurant.

‘‘We use as much free range organic produce aswe can and our menu is very seasonal, takingadvantage of what’s around the peninsula at thetime. It is value for money, honest cooking withinfluences of Italian and French cuisine. And ofcourse, it is food that goes with wine.’’

The restaurant at Stillwater was recentlyrefurbished, with the result a modern, chic andrelaxed fine dining experience.

‘‘After six years of operating, we recognised

that in order to remain relevant and continue tobe competitive in an ever-changing environment,we needed to reinvent the look of the restaurantand move with the times,’’ Mr Poulier said. ‘‘Thenew look has brought a lot of fresh business toStillwater, with new customers as well as our oldloyal clientele. We not only changed the interiordecoration but improved disabled access andadded a baby change room.’’

Stillwater is also popular with brides, as itswedding package include ceremonies by the lakeand vines, award-winning food and on-siteluxury accommodation.

‘‘We are a little escape away from everywhereelse but very close to Mornington, just off thefreeway,’’ Mr Poulier said.

Presented byALH Group Pty Ltd

Hospitality Award

THE FINALISTSThe Pizzeria on NormanOnde Fine Food CafeStillwater at Crittenden

THE WINNERStillwater at Crittenden

The Greater Frankston Business Chamber aim’s to support, enhance and represent the business community of the area through:• Promotion • Lead Generation • Lobbying government on important business issues • Networking Activities • Training, Information and Education • Collective Purchasing • Referral linkages/Networking/Relationship Building • Recognising Achievement• Being actively involved in relevant Community activities

A diverse membership comprising businesses from industry, commerce, service, trade, retail, community service, not-for-profi t and educational institutions we provide networking opportunities, business information, lobbying, training and advice.

Our offi ce is open 10am - 3.30pm, Monday to Thursday (or by appointment)LEVEL 1, 13 - 15 Thompson Street, FRANKSTON Ph/Fax: 9781 1422 www.frankstonchamber.com.au

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Garden gurus: The team at Eden Gardens and GardenCentres enjoys enriching people’s lives with plants.

Picture: Daryl Gordon

New vision for an old iconBY MELISSA WALSH

Anyone familiar with Mt Eliza will know ofthe beautiful limestone building on NepeanHighway, formerly Lintons Garden and

Home, which four years ago was acquired byEden Gardens and Garden Centres.

Owners Simon and Anna Ainsworth havebrought their unique philosophy to the iconiccentre, breathing a new energy and approach tothe lifestyle element of gardening, community,education, social events and activities for

children to the store. Eden Gardens has twoother stores, in Sydney and Queensland, with4500 members on its data base.

The Mt Eliza garden centre is in its final stagesof renovations, which are due to be completedthis month.

Manager and lifestyle buyer Lindy Wong saidEden was all about retail, community andeducation.

‘‘I was originally with Lintons for 14 years andcontinued on here where the philosophy isenriching people’s lives with plants. Everything

we do is touched by that, and it is moreabout having our customers as life-longmembers,’’ she said.

‘‘We provide the total experience, where youcan come along and have an education class,have a coffee and enjoy the facilities we havehere. We have a children’s playground,community area, an education building withgardening classes, children’s workshops anddemonstrations.’’

Eden Gardens is a staunch supporter of theCancer Council and holds daffodil and pink

ribbon fund-raisers. ‘‘We also support WhiteLion which is an institution that helps youngpeople who have been in challenging situations.We mentor them here for a few months, andit helps to reconnect kids with the community,’’Ms Wong said.

All staff members have the opportunity towork in the community and take classes.

‘‘We have gone through a lot of changes but it’sbeen a great challenge. Owners Simon and Annaare both extremely active in the business, with agreat vision and very inspiring,’’ she said.

Presented byGreater FrankstonBusiness Chamber

Retail Award

THE FINALISTSHello BlossomsMiss VelvetEden Gardens and Garden Centres

THE WINNEREden Gardens and Garden Centres

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Expressing the right balanceBY MELISSA WALSH

Express yourself: Express Virtual Meetings managers (from left) Kirsten Peters, Nicole Martin and Sharyn Welsh with their staff. Picture: Daryl Gordon

When Simon Ross and his wife Robyn-JaneRoss decided they wanted a better work-life balance, Express Virtual Meetings

was conceived.Their thriving business has now won the

service category in the Excellence in BusinessAwards two years in a row.

Since the innovative company opened about adecade ago, it has evolved into a business thatuses communication technology to enable audioconferencing, web conferencing, and videoconferencing.

The core business operations occur in the MtEliza office, which houses 20 staff.

Managers Kirsten Peters, Nicole Martin andSharyn Welsh say while the business hasexpanded, the philosophy remains the same.

‘‘Born and raised in Mt Eliza, Simon startedthe business down here. Basically, thatphilosophy has continued even though thebusiness has grown so much. We still maintain anexcellent work-life balance and provide a forumwhere people can work from home to gain thesame balance,’’ Ms Peters said.

‘‘Even now one of our other managers, AndreaGoding, is on extended leave travelling aroundAustralia.’’

Express Virtual Meetings’ expertise in tele-conferencing and web conferencing is called onby a variety of clients including life coaches, not-for-profit organisations, banks, finance and med-ical businesses, hospitals and mining andgovernment sectors.

‘‘We have the same quality conferencingplatform as our big telecommunicationscompetitors, and have a 24- hour, seven-day-a-week helpline. Queries are answered directly by alive peninsula-based operator, unlike other tele-conferencing companies that are becoming moreautomated and impersonal,’’ Ms Peters said.

‘‘We now have more than 5000 active custom-ers so Simon has brought a lot of professionalbusiness procedures into the company thatare very advanced for a small businessenvironment.’’

Express Virtual Meetings’ services are sup-ported by an expert team of sales and conferen-cing consultants who help determine whichsolutions will work for each business and areavailable 24/7 to support, train and facilitate vir-tual meetings.

Presented by Weber Business Accountants

Service Award

THE FINALISTSAfter-Care Australasia Pty LtdNepean Industry Edge TrainingExpress Virtual Meetings

THE WINNERExpress Virtual Meetings

St Kilda Football Club congratulates all award winners

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A safety first winner for the constBY MELISSA WALSH

Using the Gen3-LMS: Kieran Grogan feeling safer in the telehandler.

Equipment Safety Systems Pty Ltd managingdirector Ted Parrott started his business in1976 with the first electronics business in

the Hartnett Drive precinct in Seaford.This was just the beginning of a lot of firsts for

Mr Parrott, culminating with the release of the

Gen3-LMS, a load management system designedfor use with telescopic handlers.

Another first for Mr Parrott and hisEquipment Safety Systems team is beingannounced the overall winner in the 2012Excellence in Business Awards and the winnerof the manufacturing category.

Equipment Safety Systems (EQSS), has been

working closely for several years with tele-handler manufacturers to develop and supplyload management systems. Now EQSS hasdeveloped what it claims to be the most advancedand user-friendly telescopic handler loadmanagement system available — the Gen3-LMS.

With huge health and safety issues in thetelehandler industry, the Gen3-LMS has been

designed to improve operator safety. Mr Parrottdescribes the final release of the Gen3-LMS asthe end of a long saga.

‘‘The whole technology with the Gen3-LMS ison the edge of what’s achievable in theconstruction industry.

‘‘Australia has the tightest rules and regula-tions for telehandlers, so we are the world leadersin telehandler management,’’ Mr Parrott said.

The Gen3-LMS takes advantage of the mostrecent developments in embedded processing anddisplay technology to provide the most advancedand intuitive system in the market place.

‘‘It is sunlight readable and you can view itfrom any angle,’’ Mr Parrott said.

‘‘Originally, we developed a system which wasautomatic tool recognition, and then wedesigned this new one which is Gen3-LMS andthis is the best one yet, which contains twoinnovative features — a dynamic interactiverating chart and a stability triangle which enablesthe operator to remain within the stability limitsset by the telehandler manufacturer.’’

Mr Parrott said Kieran Grogan and AndrewDonegan, both shareholders in EQSS, wereinstrumental in the development of theGen3-LMS.

‘‘The nitty gritty guts of the system wasdeveloped by Kieran, who is the more fieldoriented person, and Andrew is the behind thescenes software expert.’’

Mr Parrott says the Gen3-LMS has alreadybeen very well received.

‘‘It has taken off and the market likes it.Regulators in the UK have already shown a levelof interest.

‘‘Back in November last year a UK telehandleroperator was killed when the telehandler tippedover sideways. If they had one of our units fitted,the guy would still be bothering his wife,’’ MrParrott said.

The Gen3-LMS is designed for telehandlersused on construction sites, and also in farming.

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ruction industry

Safety first: Ross Bowden, Andrew Donegan and Ted Parrott with Kieran Grogan in the cabin of the JCB model541-70 telehandler. Pictures: Gary Sissons

Success at last: Ted Parrott, Andrew Donegan, Ross Bowden and Kieran Grogan.

It displays a fully dynamic rating chart for theselected attachment.

With the telehandler overlay, it allows theoperator to quickly determine at a glance thecurrent location within the boom’s range ofmovement and how much further the boom canbe extended with the current load.

Reading the rating chart also allows theoperator to determine the boom range before the

lift is performed. The rating chart has an imageof the telehandler, showing the current boomlocation within the chart, and the image changesto show the currently selected attachment andthe position of the stabilisers.

Advanced operator information includesrating chart display and dynamic stabilitytriangle, automatic or manual tool selection withoperator verification, machine reverse camera

and forward blind side camera as standard,wireless dogman (helmet), job site cameraoptional for remote load positioning, automaticfault detection and diagnostic screen, operatoridentification log-in as standard viaidentification card, and quick configuration formachine type and language.

‘‘This particular model was released in

November last year and has been accepted bythree of the major manufactures — Haulotte,Manitou, and JCB,’’ Mr Parrott said.

‘‘It is already a requirement to have a loadmanagement system when operating with afreely suspended load.

‘‘We understand that the European Standardswill eventually become as strict as the AustralianStandard and this bodes well for our future.’’

PresentedbyDepartmentofBusinessandInnovation

Manufacturing Award

THE FINALISTSFive AM Life Pty LtdCrib Point EngineeringEquipment Safety Systems Pty Ltd

THE WINNEREquipment Safety Systems Pty Ltd

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Not so secret garden: Michael Savage beside theEnchantasaurus. Picture: Daryl Gordon

Enchanted by top award againBY SANDRA BULL

The Enchanted Maze Garden keeps growing— and so does the number of awards wonby this popular Mornington Peninsula

destination.Owners Michael and Sally Savage have now

won the tourism category in the Excellence inBusiness Awards for the second consecutive year.Last year, they also took out the RACV VictorianTourism Award for new tourism development.

The Enchanted Maze Garden opened about 15

years ago and has expanded to employ 72 staff.More than 90,000 visitors enjoy the scenicsurroundings annually.

Mr Savage is constantly planning newactivities to keep visitors returning to thesprawling Arthurs Seat attraction — recentadditions include tube slide rides, the first of theirkind in Australia, a 3D indoor maze and arecycled bed spring maze.

There also three hedged mazes, 20 displaygardens and an outdoor obstacle course.

If the wandering around sparks the

‘munchies’, visitors can enjoy a tasty treat at thegarden cafe, maze cafe and colourful lolly shop.

‘‘We are always trying to do something new,’’Mr Savage said. And visitors keep returning toexperience the maze magic, many of them annualpass holders from the Mornington Peninsula.

The Enchantasaurus is one of his favouritesurprises for those wandering around the nine-hectare wonderland. Designed by local artistMike Green, the dinosaurus-lookalike waspainstakingly constructed from more than 3600pruned branches from liquid amber trees on the

property. When children press a button, it gives aburbly ‘enchantaroar’ which makes them smilerather than scream.

While it hasn’t been easy building up such alabour-intensive attraction from scratch,Mr Savage said it was well worth the effort. Ahands-on owner, he admits to getting a buzzwhen seeing visitors enjoy the experience.

‘‘People are here for a family day out. Whenthey get here and see their kids running aroundand get into it themselves, you can’t helpenjoying yourself, can you?’’

Presented byFrankston Tourism Inc

Tourism Award

THE FINALISTSRACV Cape Schanck Resort

The Enchanted Maze Garden

Polperro Dolphin Swims

THE WINNERThe Enchanted Maze Garden



Business that’sblossoming

Floral fantasy: Georgia Kotschet and Cameron Birrell bring boutique wedding floral design to the peninsula withHello Blossoms. Picture: Daryl Gordon

BY MELISSA WALSH

Husband and wife team Cameron Birrell andGeorgia Kotschet began Hello Blossomsafter combining Georgia’s passion for

weddings and flowers with Cameron’sbusiness experience.

Their company’s name was inspired byTokyo’s famous blossoming cherry trees.

‘‘For the briefest of moments, the streets andparks are transformed into a sea of colour,coating everything around it with tinyembellishments of natural beauty. It is impossibleto not be swept up in the atmosphere, embracingthe natural high with all those around until asquickly as it came it is gone, leaving only thememory,’’ Mr Birrell said.

‘‘This experience is quintessentially Japanese,touches every person who sees it, and is anexperience that can’t be truly replicated.

‘‘At Hello Blossoms, we see this experience asthe essence of our service. Our constant aim is tocreate truly personal floral designs, engagingyour guests and embellishing the uniqueatmosphere of your wedding. We understandthat your wedding flowers are but a single aspectof your complete wedding, but the opportunitiesfor tiny details to enhance all of your decisionsand bring them together are both simple andendless.’’

Hello Blossoms has been operating for about18 months, focusing purely on weddings.

‘‘Because your wedding is such an importantevent, it requires a lot of care and attention tomake the process as enjoyable as possible. Ourknowledge and expertise is in great weddingdesign and styling. We deliver the flowers,

set up and style the event,’’ Mr Birrell said. ‘‘Aswell as the bouquets which are the centrepoint,we work with the best venues on the peninsulaand transform them into something unique toeach couple. It is an artistic process, with theflowers as our paint and the venue as our can-vas.’’

Hello Blossoms has grown in leaps and boundsin the past year, and continues to thrive, withreferrals from clients and wedding venues.

‘‘Our business began as a home-based businessand within a few months we moved to our cur-rent premises in Sorrento. We now have a show-room and meeting room for clients and a studiowhere the floral work happens,’’ Mr Birrell said.‘‘We also employ two casual staff that have beenwith us from the beginning.’’

Putting their creative talents to the challenge,Hello Blossoms has a few interesting weddings inthe pipeline. ‘‘One client has asked us to createfloral chandeliers and we have been approachedto fill a boat with flowers. Another bride hasasked us to turn her wedding into a flower shop,and that adds to the excitement of it all.’’

Presented by RegionalDevelopment Authority

Young Entrepreneur Award

THE FINALISTSThe Promo DonnaHello Blossoms

THE WINNERHello Blossoms

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Building the opportunities

Helping local youth: Frances Menzies and Carol Smithwith one of the case files at Frankston MorningtonPeninsula Local Learning and Employment Network.

Picture: Gary Sissons

BY MELISSA WALSH

Frankston Mornington Peninsula LocalLearning and Employment Network hasbeen improving education and employment

outcomes for young locals for a decade.Executive officer Carol Smith said the main

role of the network, which is headquartered inMornington, was to improve education, employ-ment and career pathways for 10 to 19 year olds.

‘‘It’s a not-for-profit organisation fundedthrough the Department of Education and EarlyChildhood Development.

‘‘Essentially, we are a partnership broker. Webroker the partnerships with schools, education,community, families, parents, and industry toimprove outcomes for these young people,’’ MsSmith said.

‘‘It is all about building those partnerships thatwill hopefully enhance the opportunities for theyoung people.

‘‘It has been a successful program. We still havesome barriers and issues but the overallemployment and education for young people hasincreased every year.’’

Since its inception, there has been markedimprovement in articulation from year 12 touniversity, 85 partnerships around Koori youngpeople, 65 partnerships focused on disability, 94partnerships about parental engagement in edu-cation and VCAL enrolments have doubled since2005.

Network membership is open to anyindividual or organisation, including parents andfamilies who work with, or have a contributionto make, towards improving the outcomes ofyoung people in this age group.

The network has 400 members from a range ofareas, including primary and secondary schools,local government, indigenous representativebodies, industry peak bodies, local businesses,individuals, employer groups, communitygroups, registered training organisations andeducation providers.

The network’s board is represented by a cross-section of the community, and a lot of work isdone out in the field rather than in the office.

‘‘Most of us are teachers or those who havedone leadership or management,’’ Ms Smith said.‘‘You need to be a good communicator and beflexible, making the young person the centre ofall your work.

‘‘It is important to be current with what theissues are with young people at the time.’’

Presented byBendigo Bank

CommunityPartnership Award

THE FINALISTSDress for Success MorningtonQuest FrankstonFrankston Mornington PeninsulaLocal Learning and EmploymentNetwork

THE WINNERFrankston Mornington PeninsulaLocal Learning and EmploymentNetwork

G5425672AA-dp8Oct©FCNVIC

CONGRATULATIONS to all nominees and winners

of the Frankston and Mornington Peninsula Excellence in Business

Awards 2012



Greening withthe dolphins

All aboard: Judith Muir with sons Ben and Troy Muir. Picture: Daryl Gordon

BY SANDRA BULL

To paraphrase Kermit the frog, it’s not easybeing green.But running a business dedicated to being

kind to the environment, and its living creatures,can be a deeply rewarding experience.

Judith Muir, who owns family-run PolperroDolphin Swims, says the company is thriving inits 26th year of operation.

Polperro’s long-standing efforts to protect andcreate awareness of Port Phillip Bay’s marine lifehas been recognised by winning its secondconsecutive award in the Excellence in BusinessAwards’ environmental sustainability category.

“It really can be done, to run a sustainablebusiness over the long term and still enjoy theresources that we so rely on,” Mrs Muir said.“Being green is an acceptable form of tradingnow.”

Polperro visitors enjoy a four-hour trip,departing Sorrento pier in a timber vessel whichtravels at a gentle speed so there is minimaldisturbance to the marine environment. The fuel-efficient engine exhaust is above deck to avoidnoise and fuel emissions into the water.

In keeping with the company’s environmentalcredentials, all drinks are served in washablecups and visitors wear wetsuits which can berepaired and recycled. A lower-chemical sun-screen is used to minimise potential irritation tohumans and dolphins, and wetsuits are treatedwith an environmentally sensitive wetsuit wash.

The well-being of the dolphins is paramount toPolperro. If dolphins “aren’t in the mood” tointeract, swimmers are advised to go back to thevessel for a better look.

Luckily, the bay’s wild bottlenose dolphinpopulation is an innately curious bunch and MrsMuir estimates they drop by more than 90 percent of trips to check out the 10 people at a timehanging on the ‘mermaid line’ — a rope withfloats attached to the vessel. Dolphins are sightedfrom aboard the vessel about 98 per cent of thetime.

Mrs Muir said Polperro would remain “pur-posely small” to uphold its commitment toresponsible tourism, and has branched out tooffer day trips, education programs in schoolsand study tours. About 60 per cent of visitors arefrom the Melbourne and Mornington Peninsularegions, with about 30 per cent travelling fromoverseas and 10 per cent from interstate.

“I think there is an understanding now that thepeninsula is one of the best places in the world tolive and what it offers is second to none.

‘‘There’s no other place in the world with anindustrialised city with a pod of dolphins livingon the doorstep.”

Presented bythe Weekly

EnvironmentalSustainability Award

THE FINALISTSBP ArchitectsPeninsula Stand up PaddlePolperro Dolphin Swims

THE WINNERPolperro Dolphin Swims



The benefits of being the bestSANDRA BULL spoke to two past Excellence inBusiness Awards winners about how their victoriesboosted their company profiles

Bursting out: 2011 Excellence in Business award category winner Lachlan Coates.

Excellent opportunity: Pippa Hanson and MichelleBlake are still savouring their 2011 victory.

Pictures: Gary Sissons

Greater confidence and credibility have beenextra ‘prizes’ for the winner of the youngentrepreneur category of last year’s Excel-

lence in Business awards.As much of Lachlan Coates’ work is done on

his computer, his Burst Graphics clients comefrom across Melbourne and even interstate.

Mr Coates, now 20, said he used the $1000cash prize to pay for advertising material to pro-mote his Frankston-based firm, which offers pro-motional services ranging from graphic and webdesign to signage.

‘‘But the other important things the awardgave me were extra credibility and confidence,which I used to get out there and promote thebusiness even more,’’ he said.

‘‘Winning an award like that backed up mycredibility by showing potential clients that weoffered fantastic products and services and goodcustomer service. One of the first things I did wasto was to order new business cards with theaward logo on them.

‘‘A lot of people are a little to nervous to go forit. But I would say the only way to win is to go forit.

‘‘It really opens a lot of doors for networking.’’

Higher profileThe Sports Injury Clinic took out the major prize atlast year’s inaugural awards after being named thebest overall business in the Frankston City andMornington Peninsula region.

Pippa Hanson, managing director of theFrankston-based clinic, which she co-owns withprincipal physiotherapist Michelle Blake, said theaward carried many benefits.

The business gained a higher profile throughmedia coverage and the pair highlighted the win onthe clinic’s Facebook page and in-house magazine.

‘‘I think the award would also definitely helpedwith word of mouth referrals,’’ she said.

In an extra boost, clinic staff were thrilled toknow they helped achieve the success.

‘‘If you give it a go, it does make you sit back andanalyse your own business. Reflecting on what you

have achieved over 12 months can be a really greatthing for a business owner.

‘‘You can say ‘we did that really well’ and can al-so look at what else can be done.’’

Mrs Hanson said the awards dinner, in which allfinalists came together, was a memorable night.

‘‘There was a very supportive atmosphere andlots of congratulations from other participants. Itwas a lovely feeling.’’

Increase your visibility� Register your business on www.mpbonline.com.au � Leverage free Shire branding initiatives � Contribute to the Peninsula Prospects Newsletter� Enter business awards and Shire programs

Enhance your business skills� Attend skills workshops� Access mentoring programs� Participate in business events� Tell us what training you need

Improve your business decision-making capabilities� Get accurate business permit information� Find out more about what you can do, rather than can’t � Learn about your customer base using our demographic data� Ask about trends, opportunities and challenges

Create more business opportunities� Network your business at community events� Explore sponsorship options� Meet other businesses for better buying and customer referrals � Discover grant opportunities

Get connected with your free local business resource

The Mornington Peninsula Shire has a dedicated Economic Development Unit to help you start, sustain and grow your business.

So get connected. And get the benefits.

Contact Mornington Peninsula EDU to explore what is available to you. When you are achieving your business goals, so are we.

tel: (03) 5950 1842 email: [email protected] www.mpbonline.com.auG5425610AA-dp8Oct

G5425622AA-dp8Oct

Department of Business and Innovation

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Documents

Business Award 2012