Fiona Scott (Lindsay, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Without doubt, small business is the engine room of the economy. For regions like the Nepean Valley, where two-thirds of our local community need to commute every day for work, building our local small businesses and family businesses is crucial to the success of our region. I come from a small business background and have seen firsthand the difficulty, sacrifice and commitment it takes to have a successful small business.

Last night in the great region of Lindsay there was one of the most exciting events of the small business calendar: the local small business awards. It was great to see 30 small businesses that were recognised for their achievements, for their excellence, for their commitment and for what they provide our local community. I would like to take the opportunity today to congratulate and formally recognise in this place some of those amazing recipients who received awards last night.

Business of the Year went to Steve Sutton and his team at Workin' Gear Penrith. This is a business that has traded for over 24 years. I have had to buy the odd pair of hiking boots or what have you from this business. It also sells a whole range of high-vis wear and KingGee wear for people who are out working in the region. It has a whole host of other heavy duty supplies. It was wonderful that it won the Business of the Year award last night.

Wayne Harrison, from Advanced Airbrush, was awarded Business Person of the Year. Wayne is an incredibly talented airbrush artist and has been airbrushing for 35 years. Many of his artworks are winning awards in the USA and here at home. Further, he was recognised for receiving significant attention for murals and airbrush art throughout automotive shows right across Australia.

These two businesses are really phenomenal success stories of our region. Further, I would also like to acknowledge David Robertson, of Nana's Teddies & Toys, for the antiques, art, crafts and gifts category; Claire Hills, from Angus Car Service, another business I have known for many, many years, for the automotive services category; Dario Poles, from Poles Patisserie at the Nepean Village, for the bakery or cake shop category; Monique Pastega, from Chic Skin & Laser Clinic, for the beauty services category; Scott Hogan, from Deli Delights, for the butcher/delicatessen category; and Stefan Dorakay, from Coffee Guru, which is in South Penrith, out at Southlands, for the cafe category. It is a wonderful place to get a cup of coffee.

I would also like to acknowledge for the childcare services category, Tessa McGavock, from UWS Early Learning Penrith; for the education services category, Rebecca Liu-Brennan, from Performance Art Western Sydney; for the fast food take away category, Penny Wang, from Subway Nepean Village; for the fitness services category, Mira Guric, from Oxigen Fitness; for the florist category, Vicki Barnes, from Emu Florist, Centro Lennox; for the fruit and vegetable shop category, Johan Susanto, from Harris Farm Markets, Penrith; for the hairdresser category, Alison and Martin Lazare, from Esteem Hair and Beauty Spa, High St Penrith; for the health and improvement services category, Isobelle Chahine, from Nepean Radiology; for the home based business category, Petrina Mullineaux, from Petrina's Family Day Care; for the home furnishings and furniture category, Tani Halal, from Plush Homemaker Centre in Penrith; for the jewellery store category, Jane Smith, from York Jewellers at Westfield Penrith—another business that has won so many awards. The Ely boys' costume jewellery and exquisite jewellery have been internationally renowned. They are very talented jewellers.

Further, I would acknowledge for the new business category, Jenna Knights, from Property Maintenance—Lawns and Gardens; for the pet care category, Kelly Tickner, from Coreen Avenue Veterinary Clinic and the Western Sydney Cat Hospital; for the pharmacy category, Adam Kennedy, from Kingswood Compounding Pharmacy; for the professional services category, Tony Tanti, from Tanti Financial Services; for the real estate category, Nicole Waterhouse, from Property Central Penrith; for the restaurant category, Maria Pezzella from Cucina Casareccia; for the service and trade category, Nigel McKilney, from Uphire; for the specialised business category, Michael Morris; for the specialised retail businesses category, Steve Sutton, from Workin-Gear, Penrith—who also won the Business of the Year; and for the youth award, Emma Garziniti, from Explore and Develop in Penrith.

I would like to congratulate all these winners. It is a wonderful achievement. These businesses really are a foundation of our region and are sure to create more small businesses and more employment in the great region of Western Sydney.

Question agreed to.

Federation Chamber adjourned at 12:47.