Now in its sixth year, the awards are a way of rewarding excellence in customer service, enterprise and effort - and what better form of stimulus package than a public pat on the back.

“Since its inception the awards have grown in stature as the community honours the best in business, across 12 categories,” Examiner Manager Lisa Reed said.

There are categories for every business and employee, and the annual presentation dinner has gained a reputation as a great night where we can honour our own, and be inspired by a leader in their field,” she said.

There are awards categories for customer service (team and individual), best established business, best agricultural business (small business and agribusiness), best young person in business (employee and self-employed), best new business, best restaurant and best café, best business from home, best tourism business and best community tourism business, merchandising/shop presentation, workforce diversity, and the Rotary Club’s Pride of Workmanship awards for trainee/apprentice and senior employee.

An entry form can be found on page 11 of today’s Examiner and will run in editions until July 16. Nominations will close at 5pm on July 17.

Judging will be undertaken by either award sponsors or panels of community representatives. Winners will be announced at the gala presentation dinner at the Services Club on September 4, at which the guest speaker will be Rural Skills Australia regional industry careers adviser Charles Impey.

Mrs Reed has encouraged people to think broadly about worthy recipients.

“There may be those businesses or firms you only deal with once or twice a year which don’t readily come to mind.

“Businesss can be in town, in our villages, working from home or on farm - there are a lot out there that deserve recognition,” she said.