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Nominations are open for 2023 Bass Coast Business Awards and include new Event Excellence category

16th annual Bass Coast Business Awards, celebrating innovation, creativity and excellence in the thriving community. Showcase your success and gain recognition.

By news@gippsland - 11th May 2023 - Back to News

Bass Coast Shire Council are excited to present our 16th annual Bass Coast Business Awards, now open for entries! "Bass Coast is rapidly becoming a thriving hotbed for innovation, regeneration, and creativity thanks to our growing community of entrepreneurs, businesses owners and change makers," says Bass Coast Shire Council Mayor, Cr. Michael Whelan.

Returning for its 16th year, nominations are open for the 2023 Bass Coast Business Awards, featuring seven categories including Event Excellence. Showcase your success now!

Cr Whelan said, "These awards are an opportunity for individuals to reflect on their achievements during the past year, while celebrating their successes. It also provides the chance of recognition for excellence, while showcasing your business to our community."

Panel of judges

This year Bass Coast Shire Council are calling for entries in the following judged categories, which will be judged by an independent panel from the business community:

• Access, Equity and Inclusion (sponsored by Interchange Gippsland)
• Business Innovation (sponsored by Corio Generation)
• Environmental Sustainability (sponsored by Westernport Water)
• Event Excellence (sponsored by rEVENTS Academy)
• Marketing and Communications (sponsored by Destination Phillip Island)
• Resilience (sponsored by Small Business Mentoring Service)
• Business of the Year (sponsored by Harman Wines) presented to the highest scoring application across all judged categories

Council is excited to announce a new category this year celebrating Event Excellence. This award recognises festivals, events and exhibitions that contribute to environmental sustainability, local economic prosperity, community engagement and visitation.

Applicants will need to demonstrate their contribution to the three pillars of sustainability (economic, social, environmental) as part of their application, which is open to events with up to 50,000 participants. The much-coveted Bass Coast Business Awards People's Choice Award also returns. In 2022 over 1200 votes contributed to the People's Choice Award, shared among 61 nominated businesses.

Vote, support, and win!

Mayor Whelan said, "This year council encourages everyone in our community to support your favourite Bass Coast based business or event with a vote for our People's Choice Award. Every vote cast will go into the draw to win one of two $100 gift vouchers to spend at a local Bass Coast business - so everyone wins!"

Council is highly grateful to our generous sponsors. These include Destination Phillip Island, Harman Wines, rEVENTS Academy, Small Business Mentoring Service, Corio Generation, Interchange Gippsland and Westernport Water.

Winners of the 2023 Bass Coast Business Awards will be announced at a VIP presentation dinner on Friday, 27 October at Cape Paterson Life Saving Club. Applications are now open, closing 5pm on Sunday 18 June 2023. Learn more and enter or vote now at 2023 Bass Coast Business Awards page.

Pictures from Bass Coast Shire Council Facebook page.

Source: www.gippsland.com

Published by: news@gippsland.com

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• Construction begins on Western Park Oval 2 Pavilion, including new curator shed and upgraded female-friendly facilities
  Construction has started on Western Park Oval 2 Pavilion, beginning with a new curator shed, supporting local sports growth, female-friendly facilities, and community recreation, funded by Council and a government grant.
• Tim Bull slams Labor's cuts to 'Youth Crime Prevention', unveils $100M Safer Communities Plan
  Gippsland East MP Tim Bull criticised Labor's youth crime prevention cuts, promoting The Nationals' $100 million Safer Communities Plan combining tougher laws with prevention programs to improve safety and restore community confidence.
• Baw Baw Shire Council appoints experienced leader Tilla Buden as new chief executive officer commencing on November 2025
  Baw Baw Shire Council has appointed Tilla Buden as its new CEO, bringing extensive leadership experience and community focus. She will formally commence in the role on 17 November 2025.
• Melina Bath criticised Labor's plan to create new national parks, locking out long-term bush users
  Liberals and Nationals oppose Labor's plan to convert 65,000 hectares into national parks, citing unfair exclusion of bush users despite strong opposition and a 40,000-signature petition against the proposal.
• Wellington Shire Council proudly announces the $23M Aqua Energy Leisure Centre redevelopment opens 7 October 2025
  Wellington Shire Council is thrilled to announce the much-anticipated redevelopment of Aqua Energy Leisure Centre in Sale is complete, with the $23 million facility set to open officially to the public on Tuesday 7 October 2025.
• Danny O’Brien urges Gippsland tobacco retailers to obtain licences as new state licensing scheme is enforced from 1 February 2026
  Danny O’Brien urges Gippsland tobacco retailers to comply with Victoria’s new licensing scheme, aiming to curb illegal sales, organised crime, and ensure consistent enforcement for safer regional communities.
• Kay Street Car Park construction progressing smoothly, delivering major new parking capacity for Traralgon CBD by 2026
  Construction of Traralgon’s five-level Kay Street Car Park is progressing on schedule for mid-2026, delivering 430 new CBD spaces and supporting local businesses, accessibility, and future regional growth.
• Tim Bull urges state government to fund Surf Life Saving, preventing East Gippsland ratepayers covering government shortfalls
  Gippsland East MP Tim Bull urges state government to fund Surf Life Saving Victoria, warning councils face doubled contributions while new Emergency Services levy strains East Gippsland and Wellington budgets.
• East Gippsland Agricultural Sector Advisory Committee welcomes new members to strengthen engagement with farming
  East Gippsland's Agricultural Sector Advisory Committee welcomed new members, enhancing council's connection with farming communities while tackling key priorities like renewable energy, drought resilience, mental health, and pest animal challenges.
• Join South Gippsland Shire '16 Days of Activism' event with the theme 'Walk Against Family Violence' on
  Join Council's Walk Against Family Violence on 26 November in Leongatha. Wear orange, take part in the Respect photo pop-up, and support the 16 Days of Activism campaign.
• Lifeline Workshop in Warragul Library: Understanding and Preventing Family Violence for community awareness and safety
  Free two‑hour session at Lifeline, held at MYLI Warragul on 25 Nov 2025 from 1‑3 pm, aims to build awareness, understanding and practical strategies to prevent family violence.
• Gippsland Water launches annual ‘Reduce Your Use’ campaign encouraging mindful water usage during hot weather
  Gippsland Water has launched its annual ‘Reduce Your Use’ campaign, encouraging customers to follow permanent water-saving rules and tips, conserve water during heat waves, and attend community education events.
• South Gippsland Seniors Festival offers free and low-cost events to connect, create, and celebrate together
  South Gippsland celebrates Victorian Seniors Festival this October with 60+ free and low-cost events across nine towns, inviting over-60s to connect, create, celebrate, and enjoy community through sport, arts, learning, and fun.
• Dr Patrick Kinsella’s decades-long contributions to healthcare, sport, media, and community celebrated at 2026 Australia Day Awards
  Dr Patrick Kinsella, East Gippsland Australia Day Ambassador, has impacted healthcare, education, sport, media, and community life for over 40 years; residents are invited to celebrate at 21 January awards.
• East Gippsland Council adopts 2024-25 Annual Report, highlighting achievements, advocacy, investment, and community-focused service delivery
  East Gippsland Shire Council has adopted its 2024-25 Annual Report, highlighting achievements in service delivery, infrastructure, advocacy, bushfire recovery, and community resilience while addressing cost-of-living and housing challenges.
• Join our free Beninette Tour for behind-the-scenes access, event facilities insights, and booking information
  Ever wondered what's really beyond the bricks at Berninneit? Thinking about hiring a space or curious about what's backstage? Join us for a free guided tour and get an insider's look at every space in Berninneit, in just half an hour.
• East Gippsland unites for 16 Days of Activism, raising awareness and preventing gender-based violence across the community
  East Gippsland joins the global 16 Days of Activism campaign, promoting respect, raising awareness of gender-based violence, and hosting community events to foster safety, connection, and inclusion.
• Latrobe Health Assembly to continue, thanks to strong community support and new independent, community-owned future
  Defunded in the 2025 State Budget, the Latrobe Health Assembly will continue as a leaner, community-owned organisation tackling local health and wellbeing challenges through collaboration and grassroots leadership.
• South Gippsland Council invites artists to create site-specific sculpture on Great Southern Rail Trail, submissions open 2 February 2026
  South Gippsland Shire Council invites artists or collectives to create a site-responsive sculpture on the Great Southern Rail Trail. Submissions for Expressions of Interest close 5 pm, Monday 2 February 2026.