Wyndham City Council has given the top business award to Point Cook plumbing company Aqua Tap Plumbing, at the 25th Wyndham Business Awards gala, held on 25 August.
Wyndham Business of the Year, Aqua Tap Plumbing, started its one-person business 17 years ago out of the back of a van and today it is one of Wyndham’s leading businesses, employing more than 50 staff.
Future Focused Economy Portfolio holder Cr Walter Villagonzalo said Aqua Tap Plumbing demonstrated passion, leadership and innovation, while providing exceptional customer service.
“Demonstrating a strong commitment to the local economy and community, every staff member of Aqua Tap lives in Wyndham and it purchases 95 per cent of its supplies locally,” Cr Villagonzalo said.
“Aqua Tap provides exceptional support to its staff including the delivery of industry specific coaching and masterclasses in its newly developed trade centre in Point Cook as well as a range of other initiatives to support the team’s learning, development and growth,” Cr Villagonzalo said.
The Business Person of the Year went to Oxford Cold Storage’s Jacquelene Brotherton for her leadership in local, national and international business.
Cr Villagonzalo said Jacquelene has pioneered a role for women in transport and been at the heart of processes of change in all parts of the industry.
“Jacquelene is a highly successful professional executive with 48 years’ experience in the road transport industry” Cr Villagonzalo said.
“In 2018 Jacquelene won both the Excellence in Road Transport Award at the Women in Industry Awards and the Inaugural Female Leadership in Transport Award at the Australian Freight Industry Awards. Jacquelene’s business skills and commitment to Oxford Cold Storage and the logistics industry in general has had a positive effect on the company and broadened Oxford’s involvement with Council and local business groups as well as national and international associations,” Cr Villagonzalo said.
Cake Creations by Kate founder Katelyn Matheson took out the Young Business Person of the Year Award for the dedication, sacrifice, relationship skills and financial common sense she brings to the community through her business.
Cr Villagonzalo said the 21-year-old cake shop owner who gained baking skills and inspiration from her Grandma Joan, soon realised that creating all things sweet was her passion.
“This eventually led the young entrepreneur to opening a store in Point Cook at 18 years old,” Cr Villagonzalo said.
“Katelyn is part of the Cake Angels Network, where she creates personalised birthday cakes for seriously ill children and regularly donates to fundraising efforts in and around Wyndham.”
Other category winners included:
- New and emerging micro: Branthem Creative
- New and emerging micro: Women’s Health Hub
- People’s choice award: Sweet Street Desserts
- Home based: BabyScent and Nature Lab Skincare
- Personal service: Back on Track Fitness
- Professional small service: Impactiv8
- Professional small service: Symmetry Physiotherapy and Sports Medicine
- Retail small: Cake Creations by Kate
- Retail large: All Green Nursery and Garden Supplies
- Arts and entertainment: Circus Fit Studio
- Tourism and hospitality: Daniel’s Donuteria
- Industrial small: OFI Weigh and Inspection Solutions
- Industrial medium: Damoli Forklift Services
- Industrial large: Alex Fraser
- Trade and Construction: Aqua Tap Plumbing
- Mayoral Award: Casabene Excavations and Drainage
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