Whalebone Wharf has been named as the Hastings' Business of the Year at the 2021 Coastline Credit Union Greater Port Macquarie Business Awards.
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Businesses from across the Port Macquarie-Hastings region were celebrated at a Gala Dinner on Friday, May 13 at Panthers Port Macquarie.
The theme of resilience dominated the Gala, after a challenging period where the region faced floods in March 2021, which followed on the back of the impacts of COVID and bushfires.
In receiving the high accolade, Whalebone Wharf owner Nathan Tomkins said he didn't know if the business would be able to recover after the March 2021 floods.
"It was a pretty tough time there," he said.
"The place was an absolute disaster zone."
However, with the support of staff and members of the community, the business was able to rebuild.
"It took four weeks, without much sleep," he said.
Mr Tomkins thanked his partner Yvette for backing him with every step along the way to recovery.
"We're back and bigger than ever," he said.
Whalebone Wharf also received the Excellence in Business Accolade, with Hastings Physio and Health taking out the Excellence in Small Business award.
Winners were announced from a list of finalists over 35 categories.
The Port Macquarie Chamber of Commerce received about 11,000 votes and more than 225 entries for the 2021 awards.
Winners across four consecutive years or five years, during the lifetime of the Awards, are inducted into the Hall of Fame.
Seven businesses including Bennetts Steel, Cassegrain Wines, Fast Plast Building Supplies, CS Mechanical, MBC Recruitment, Port Macquarie Performing Arts and Touchwood Flowers were inducted into the Hall of Fame.
The full list of winners are:
- Accommodation: Sails Port Macquarie by Rydges
- Automotive Services: Leicht's Tyre & Auto
- Childcare, Education and Training: The Posify Group
- Community and Social Services: Liberty Domestic & Family Violence SpecialistServices
- Construction: TV Magic Mid North Coast
- Creative Services and Communication: Arthouse Industries
- Financial Services: Berry Financial Services
- Food Production & Catering: The Other Chef Fine Foods
- Hair and Beauty Services: VANITY Medi Spa
- Hotels, Clubs and Bars: Panthers Port Macquarie
- Industry, Manufacturing and Engineering: SMP Fabrication Pty Ltd
- Medical, Healthcare and Fitness: Hastings Physio and Health
- New Business: Coast Eco Cleaning
- Professional and Business Services (5 or less employees): Dare 2 Care
- Professional and Business Services (6 or more employees): Integer IT Pty Ltd
- Real Estate and Residential Services: Port Property Professionals
- Restaurants and Cafe: Round & Round Coffee
- Retail (5 or less employees): Mid Coast Uniform Solutions
- Retail (6 or more employees): Harvey Norman Computers
- Tourism and Attractions: Billabong Zoo Koala & Wildlife Park
- People's Choice: Chop 'n Chill
- Woman in Business: Jo Hollis - All Disability Plan Management
- Community Impact Award - To Create a World Worth Living In: Rampage Marine and Fabrication
- Excellence in Work Health & Safety: Birdon
- Outstanding Employee: Anthony D'Angelo - Eastern Air Services
- Outstanding Young Business Leader: Guy Terkelsen - Hastings Physio and Health
- Outstanding Business Leader: David Ross - Direction Accounting and BusinessCoaching
- Employer of Choice: All Disability Plan Management
- Excellence in Innovation: Birdon
- Excellence in Sustainability: Sunny's Skips
- Outstanding Community Organisation: All Disability Plan Management
- Excellence in Micro Business: DPH Handyman and Yard Maintenance
- Excellence in Small Business: Hastings Physio and Health
- Excellence in Business: Whalebone Wharf
- Business of the Year: Whalebone Wharf
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