OXLEY Timber was named 2009 Southern Highlands Business of the Year at the Southern Highlands Business Awards for Excellence at the Mittagong RSL on Friday night.
The Bowral business was chosen at the Business of the Year from more than 130 businesses and individuals nominated in 22 categories after earlier winning the award for Excellence in a Manufacturing Business.
Owners Del and Jim Maloney started Oxley Timber from scratch 23 years ago and now employ 35 people in their Bowral and Goulburn branches.
Oxley Timber supplies to customers in an area extending to Branxton, Young and Canberra, as well as the Southern Highlands and Goulburn region.
Accepting the award from Minister for Regional Development Phillip Costa, Mr Maloney thanked his dedicated staff, some of whom have been with Oxley Timber for more than 30 years.
“Next year, over half the team will have been with us for more than 10 years,” he said.
“I wouldn’t have a business without them.
“They keep me going - not the opposite.”
He also thanked his clients who had supported his business over the past 23 years.
“Our philosophy has always been to be the best, not the biggest, get it right and get it right the first time,” he said.
“Our builders and others who use our products are our best ads and they always have been.”
Mr Maloney said although the last three years had been a “bit of a struggle” due to the downturn in the building industry, but things were suddenly picking up.
“We’re picking up now with the stimulus package,” he said, in a dig at the evening’s guest entertainer, “Kevin Rudd” (Anthony Ackroyd).
Three new awards were introduced to the event this year.
Robin Murray, owner of Centennial Vineyards Restaurant was named Businessman of the Year and Tracey Besters, principal consultant of Proview Financial Group of Moss Vale was named the Businesswoman of the Year.
The 23-year-old owner of Portfolio Hair Design in Bowral, Patrick Glanville, won the inaugural Young Business Person of the Year Award.
Mr Costa said regional businesses drove the economy.
“You are important to what we receive in all parts of the shire,” he said.
“Regional development is a partner in what you do.”
Mr Costa announced $2.6 million in infrastructure funding for the Moss Vale Enterprise Zone that will open the doors for business projects creating 600 jobs.
The funding, to be matched by Wingecarribee Shire Council, will upgrade Douglas Road and provide sewerage to the enterprise zone.
Mayor Duncan Gair said the infrastructure project was an essential component of developing the Moss Vale Enterprise Zone, which extends from Douglas Road to Blue Circle and back to the Moss Vale Saleyards and RRC.
Council’s matching funding, to be recouped from developers’ contributions, showed the business community and State Government that Wingecarribee Council was serious about economic development, Cr Gair said.
The award winners...
2009 Southern Highlands Business of the Year
Oxley Timber
Excellence in Accommodation
Eight rooms or less: Summerlees Cottage
Nine rooms or more: Springs Resort Mittagong RSL Motel
Excellence in Professional Health Services
Highland Hearing
Excellence in a Health
Facility
Henley Brae & Bowral Nursing Home (jointly shared)
Excellence in Environmental Sustainability
Bradken Pty Ltd
Excellence in an Event
Bundanoon Winterfest
Excellence in an attraction
Bradman Museum
Excellence in a Café
Coffee Culture
Excellence in a Restaurant
Stones Restaurant, Eling Forest
Excellence in a Service Business
Ross Cowley & Co
Excellence in a Retail Business
McGees Cycling
Excellence in a Manufacturing Business
Oxley Timber
Excellence in Community Access
Southern Highlands Taxis, Coaches and Hire Cars
Excellence in Community Service
Southern Highlands Cancer Leadership Committee
Excellence in a Small Business
Vision Design and Print Studio
Excellence in a Trade Business
The Box Concrete Specialists
Excellence in a New Business
Red Olive Restaurant
Excellence in an Established Business
Seafood Affair
Business Man of the Year
Robin Murray, Centennial Vineyards Restaurant
Business Woman of the Year
Tracey Besters, Proview Financial Group
Young Business Person of the Year
Patrick Glanville, Portfolio Hair Design
Bruce Lamond Award (for promotion of the Southern Highlands)
Robyn Murray, Southern Highland