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Newcastle Herald
Newcastle Herald
Business

Hunter Business Awards celebrate resilience in a time of adversity: Complete winners list

LEADER: Camplify CEO and founder Justin Hales was named Business Leader of the Year at the Hunter Business Awards on Friday night. Picture: Jonathan Carroll

The Hunter's outstanding businesses and sole traders were recognised on Friday night as hundreds of owners, operators and community leaders gathered at NEX for the 2022 Hunter Business Awards.

Accolades were presented in 17 categories at a ceremony that celebrated resilience and success through another challenging year for local businesses.

Business Hunter president Tony Rhodes congratulated all winners and finalists on their determination, commitment and entrepreneurship.

"Winning a Hunter Business Award in any year is a significant achievement and we must recognise the real challenges many businesses have faced over the last two years," Mr Rhodes said.

"The past 12 months for businesses have demanded flexibility, versatility, courage and innovative thinking when you think back on the circumstances that have influenced and impacted the business environment.

"The admirable qualities reflected in all of the finalists represented in our Awards collectively demonstrate the strength and resilience of our diverse business community right across the Hunter."

Camplify founder and chief executive Justin Hales was named Business Leader of the Year in recognition of building one of the largest RV rental companies in Australia while also developing the concept, design, and technical roadmap to deliver an industry-leading solution for the RV rental industry.

ACCOLADE: Maroba Aged Care CEO Viv Allanson was among the awards winners.

The Hunter Business of the Year award was taken out by the Hi-Viz Group.

The award was judged as a "winner of the winners" in business categories across the program, the organisers said.

Hi-Viz was recognised for its growth to become one of Australia's largest manufacturers of road, safety and specialty custom signage and safety products.

The family owned and operated business continues to lead in innovation and combining technological advances and sustainability into its practices which set it apart from an impressive list of other business category winners.

Hi-Viz also took out the winners' tag for Excellence in Sustainability and Excellence in Large Business award categories.

Viv Allanson, the CEO of Maroba Aged Care, was recognised for her outstanding advocacy and support for the aged care sector, a sector impacted and challenged more than most others by the COVID pandemic.

Out of the Square were awarded for their support for local entrepreneurial businesses and extensive patronage of community causes, which includes pro bono campaigns promoting businesses and the region.

PATRON: Out of the Square Media's Marty Adnum.

The Young Business Leader award went to Scott Lynch, recognising his journey to establish Community Therapy, an organisation started in 2017 to serve the needs for better community and allied health access across and now beyond the Hunter Region.

The organisation services more than 2000 homes each week and has grown to a team of over 90 people

2022 Hunter Business Awards complete winners list

Business of the Year: The Hi-Vis Group

President's Award: Viv Allanson - CEO of Maroba Aged Care

Love Water Love Business: Oaks Pacific Blue Resort

Outstanding Business Leader: Justin Hales of Camplify

Highly Commended: Tim Faulkner of Aussie Ark

Contribution to the Region: Out of the Square

Highly Commended: Hunt Hospitality

Excellence in Large Business: The Hi-Vis Group

Highly Commended: Community Therapy

Employer of Choice: PKF Sydney and Newcastle

Highly Commended: Morgan Engineering Newcastle and Hunter Community Health

Excellence in Sustainability: The Hi-Vis Group

Outstanding Community Organisation: Home in Place

Highly Commended: Youth Express Kristen Keegan

Young Business Leader: Scott Lynch of Community Therapy

Highly Commended: Steven Fordham of Black Rock Industries, Kiraley Martin of Lake Macquarie City Council Alicia Floyer of Next Legal and Conveyancing

Outstanding Start Up: Resourceful Living

Highly Commended: Sustainable ESG Hickey Wheeler

Excellence in Export: Batrium

Highly Commended: Leogate Estate Wines

Excellence in Innovation: SAPHI Engineering

Highly Commended: Camplify Hunter Valley Coal Chain Coordinator

Excellence in Micro Business: Borne Clothing

Excellence in Small Business: Aussie Ark

Highly Commended: Seed People Conveyancing Next Legal and Conveyancing

Outstanding Local Chamber: Muswellbrook Chamber of Commerce and Industry

Highly Commended: Business Singleton

Outstanding Employee: Hayley Shute of Aussie Ark

Highly Commended: Jordan Farrelly of A Growing Understanding

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