Award winners included heavy industry such as Bradken Rail, service industries such as Ross Cowley & Co, well established businesses such as the Business of the Year Oxley Timber, and businesses new to the Highlands such as Red Olive.

Those recognised included young entrepreneurs such as the Young Business Person of the Year, Patrick Glanville of Portfolio Hair Design.

All of the businesses nominated help to keep the Southern Highlands economy ticking, providing quality goods, services and employment.

But they also recognised the role that businesses play in supporting the local community and charities, through direct donations, in kind donation of services or goods and provision of venues for community groups.

The link between business and charities was further recognised at the Southern Highlands Foundation Philanthropy awards on Saturday.

Businesses recognised for their generosity included Vision Design and Print Studio, a which also received the award for Excellence in Small Business at the previous night.

This is a remarkable achievement, especially as the 23-year-old owner, Paul Munro, opened the Mittagong business only one year ago.

Congratulations to all winners of the Southern Highlands Business Awards for Excellence and the Southern Highlands Foundation Philanthropy awards.

For full details of the Philanthropy Award winners, see Wednesday’s Southern Highland News.