Business abuzz at major awards

A selection of the finest people in local business turned out for the Rockingham Kwinana Chamber of Commerce Regional Business Awards on Saturday night.

The much-anticipated event, held at Peel Manor House, was hosted by the Rockingham Kwinana Chamber of Commerce.

Among the highlights were Kwinana firmsMedia Engine and All-Go Engineering, each picking up two awards.

Marketing and web design firm Media Engine, set up just three years ago, scooped the coveted Business of the Year Award as well as the Small Business 6-18 Employeees category.

All-Go Engineering won in the Medium Business category, and the firm’s long-serving staff member Christopher Atkins won the Outstanding Employee Award.

He has been with the company for 19 years and worked his way up to operations manager.

Award-winning i-video founder Renae Hardie Braovich won the Business Person of the Year sponsored by the Sound Telegraph.

It came a year after the firm was named Perth’s Most Innovative Enterprise. Other categories included Owner/Operator With No Employees, won by Sarah Robinson of Squid Productions, and Micro Business (up to five e m p l o y e e s ) , won b y My Reflections Photobooks.

Rockingham Community Financial Services (Men’s Shed) was presented with the Corporate Community Award.

The Judges’ Commendation Award waswon by Rustico Tapas and Bar in Rockingham.

Delighted owner Vanessa Phillipson collected the award on behalf of her business partners and staff.

The Outstanding Contribution to the Chamber Award was presented to Alison Gibson, and she picked it up to cheers and encouraging shouts of ‘‘well deserved’’ by the audience.

Paul Ogilvie was named as the newest life member of the chamber.