HUNTER REGION BUSINESS EXCELLENCE AWARDS 2023

Ms JENNY AITCHISON (Maitland—Minister for Regional Transport and Roads)—I was honoured to attend the Hunter Region Business Excellence Awards organised by the incredible Kerry Hallett and her team from the Hunter Region Business Hub. Nominees were all of a very high calibre and clearly demonstrate how business acumen, customer service and innovation are growing and flourishing in the Hunter region. 2023 Business of the Year award went to local Morpeth business Uaine Candles owned by the sparkling Andrew and Mason and his partner Suzanne. Offering unique hand-crafted candles for many years, dedicated to sustainability and customer service, they have set the benchmark for others in the industry and are a very deserved winner of the prestigious accolade. I was honoured to present Business Woman of the Year to Brodie White and the Young Entrepreneur of the Year to Amy Foster, both very deserving winners. Having won many of these awards in my time in business, I know just how hard it is to achieve this recognition, and the hard work that goes into each nomination. Congratulations to the winners, the finalists and all the nominees, and thanks to Hunter Region Business Hub for a wonderful and successful evening.