Andrew Gee (Calare, National Party) Share this | Hansard source

I wish to inform the House that last Friday night Cabonne Council held its annual Cabonne Daroo Business Awards. The Daroo awards showcase the diversity and quality of businesses in the Cabonne Council local government area and have become a blueprint for regional business awards. This year marked the 17th year of the awards, with a record number of nominations. It was a glittering event, held at the Cumnock Showground, and in attendance were a number of special guests, including Cabonne Shire Mayor Ian Gosper, known as 'Gossie' to his many friends, and New South Wales Small Business Commissioner Robyn Hobbs OAM.

The Best Business in Cabonne went to Yeates Baker McLean of Molong. Yeates Baker McLean is an all-female accountancy and business advice firm and won the major award of the evening. I congratulate Branch Manager Cally Woodhouse. I also congratulate Lisa Fraser, Karen Bollinger, Tracy Milne, Nicola Brazier, Belinda Thurtell, Abby Sands and Elise Heath. Employee of the Year went to Audrey Meehan of Cabonne Council. Congratulations, Audrey. Apprentice/Trainee of the Year went to Danielle Dugmore of Molong Early Learning Centre. The director there is Emma Thomas. Congratulations to you. Best New Business went to Coco Harvest of Canowindra. It is an artisan chocolate shop owned and operated by Matt Brewster and Ross Hipwell, who opened their store in November 2015.

Best Ongoing Business went to Molong Bakery. Congratulations, Brenden and Paula Roberts. Best Home Based Business went to Greenwood Designs. Congratulations, Kate Greenwood. Excellence in Hospitality went to the famous Cargo Store. Congratulations, Catherine Brand. For Excellence in Accommodation, the Black Sheep Inn in Borenore took out the gong. Congratulations, Helen and Andrew Napier. Excellence in Marketing went to the Canowindra Phoenix. Congratulations, Cheryl Newsom. Excellence in Tourism went to Age of Fishes Museum. Congratulations, Warren Keedle. Excellence in Environmental Enhancement went to MSM Milling. Congratulations, Peter and Bob MacSmith. I thank Pete MacSmith for dropping the plastic Chiko Roll holder around to my office last week, a timely reminder that Calare is the spiritual home of the Chiko Roll!

Congratulations to Bonny Glen Fruits in Nashdale, who took out the Excellence in Sustainable Agriculture award. That is Tim Hall, Fiona and Bernard Hall and Fred and Pam Hall. Excellence in Service Operations went to Cumnock General Store. Congratulations, Greg and Paula Rudd. Excellence in Service Operations, Large Entity, went to Molong Pharmacy. Congratulations, Susan Wild. Contribution to Cabonne (Community Organisation) went to Canowindra Pre-school Kindergarten. Liz Francis is the director. Contribution to Cabonne (Business) went to Adloyalty in Canowindra. Congratulations, Caddie Marshall. I would also like to congratulate the Cumnock Show Society committee, who did a wonderful job catering on the evening, and in particular Dave Weston and his wife, Christine, or 'Freebs' as she is better known in the Cumnock community. They do such a wonderful job at the Cumnock Showground. Congratulations to all nominees and winners.

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