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

Wednesday, 7 October saw the small business awards in the Panthers marquee in Penrith. It was a wonderful event, and it is also wonderful to support local small business. Two-thirds of the community in Western Sydney have to commute every single day for work, one-third to the city and one-third into other places around greater Western Sydney. The Penrith region has in the vicinity of 10,000 small businesses. These 10,000 businesses are essential so that more people can work, live and play close to home.

I would like to now go through a few of the winners at that wonderful event. The youth award went to NRMA Insurance Penrith, to Chantelle Donnelly; the home furnishings award to Plush Penrith; and the award for fruit and veg to Trim's in Penrith. The florist of the year award    went to Red Lily Floral Design, the automotive service award to Kingswood Smash Repairs, the award for the fashion shop to Rockmans at Lennox Village, the specialised retail business award to Maria Fellowes & Turner Travel Associates, and the antiques, art, craft and gifts award to Duck In, on High Street, Penrith.

The butcher and delicatessen award went to Deli Delights; the pharmacy award to Tony Ferguson's Terry White Chemist; the fast food takeaway award to Atlantic fish and chips, in Nepean Village; and the specialised business award to HCF Penrith. The bakery/cake shop award went to Belle Saveur; the fitness improvement services award to Oxigen, in Penrith; the health improvement services award to the Healthy Body Company; and the beauty services award to Chic Penrith. The restaurant of the year award went to the Hog's Breath Cafe in Penrith. The pet care award went to Orchard Hills Veterinary Hospital. The home based business award went to First Choice Conveyancing and the hairdressing award to Insignia Hair and Day Spa.

The service and trade award went to Lower Mountains Air Conditioning; education service, Munchie Movers; jewellery store, Penrith Jewellery Workshop; cafe, Cafe Fred, which is just near my office; new business, The Creative Fringe; childcare services, Little Zak's Academy in Jordan Springs; professional services, SCU in Penrith; real estate agency, Elders Real Estate in Penrith; business person of the year, Esteem Hair Beauty Spa; and business of the year, Lower Mountains Air Conditioning.

These are wonderful local businesses, wonderful local entrepreneurs, who have been working very hard to keep local people working. The other night I was sitting with the wonderful Gina Field, who is not only an incredible entrepreneur herself from Nepean Regional Security but also the president of the Penrith Valley Chamber of Commerce. She said:

I have been involved in the local business for many years. The local business awards give small business a platform to not only build up the business but to inspire and motivate their employees as well. As the president of the Penrith Valley Chamber of Commerce and a small business owner myself, I know that owning a small business can be a lonely place at times.

Winning an award and awards programs give small business self-acknowledgement and the encouragement to continue to do what they do best and continue to grow and employ. I congratulate all of the businesses and hope that they have a very good year this year and that, as we run into Christmas, they are all getting ready and they have all their stock on their shelves.