Mr REPACHOLI (Hunter) (19:18):

 Today I want to take a moment to recognise some of the outstanding local businesses in the Hunter region that do the region so proud. At the 29th Hunter Region Business Excellence Awards, several of our local businesses and entrepreneurs were celebrated for their exceptional service, innovative products and remarkable customer experiences. Branxton's own Balanced Beans shone brightly, winning the award for customer service—whole business. They further cemented their success by receiving a highly commended award for professional services as well. Clara Riddle from Supreme Sandstone in Quorrobolong deservedly won the highly commended award for the businesswoman of the year category, showcasing her leadership and dedication. Hunter Valley Tours, based in Bellbird, made us proud by taking home the award for access and inclusion—a testament to their commitment to accessibility. Outback Jess from Woodrising was highly commended in the home based business category, reflecting the strength and innovation of homegrown enterprises. Finally, McCaffrey's Estate from Pokolbin was honoured with the award in the hospitality and tourism category, underscoring their excellence in showcasing the beauty of our region, the Hunter Valley. These awards are a testament to the hard work and dedication of all of our local businesses. Let's continue to support them as they thrive and contribute to the vibrancy of our community.

Business Singleton also recently held their 2024 Singleton Business Awards gala presentation. I want to extend my congratulations to the winners from that night as well. Loop Organics was recognised for excellence in sustainability. Loop Organics had a great night, also taking out the top award of Business of the Year. Congratulations, guys. Keep up the great work. Loop Organics is an amazing local business that provides specialist organic waste and biosolids processing, beneficial use and consulting services. Loop recognises the inherent value of organic materials and sustainably returns these to the earth. Congratulations on the award.

The Excellence in Innovation award went to Morgan Engineering. Star Club Equestrian Program Inc. was recognised in the category Excellence in Diversity and Inclusion. Buck Yeah Equine received an award for excellence in retail, and I must say the business also deserves an award for the best name of the night! Singleton Striders won the category Excellence in Health, Wellbeing and Lifestyle. The Rotary Club of Singleton was awarded Outstanding Community Organisation, which is great to see. I'm in and out of Singleton quite regularly, and I always see the Rotary Club doing what they can for the community. Thank you for all that you do. Rotary's recognition at the business awards night is truly well deserved.

In the category Excellence in Professional Services, the winner was Silverado Promotional Products. It's always great to see new businesses popping up around town, and it's even better when the community gets around them and supports them. Well done to Holzy's Window Tinting, who won Outstanding New Business for this year. I understand how hard it can be to start a new business, so I'm sure this win will feel especially gratifying, knowing all your hard work is actually paying off.

As everyone already knows, the Hunter is an amazing place to visit. It has everything you could ever dream of when you're looking for a holiday destination. There are so many small businesses and large businesses around our electorate and in the Singleton local government area that help to make this part of the world so special, so I imagine the competition for the Outstanding Visitor Experience category was fierce. Hollydene Estate must have stood out, because they were announced the winner of this category.

In the Hunter we are grateful for our farmers and we are lucky to have so many of them. They provide us with everything we need—meat, milk, fruit and veg and all kinds of materials, like wool. All of our farmers do a great job, but unfortunately there could only be one winner, and the winner of the category Excellence in Agriculture was Starline Alpaca Farmstay. I've been lucky enough to attend that with my daughters, and it's a great place to go. Congratulations on the achievement there.

Hunter Valley Elite Window Tinting were recognised in the category Excellence in Micro Business. The night just kept getting better for Hollydene Estate Wines and Vines Restaurant, who took out their second award of the night in the category Excellence in Small Business. It was also a great night for Morgan Engineering, who took out their second and third awards of the night by being recognised in the category Excellence in Large Business and receiving the President's Award. It sounds like they may need a trailer to get their trophies home!

The people's choice for Best Customer Service went to HSV Heaven, and the Excellence in Supporting the Veteran Community award went to Singleton Defence Families and Community Inc. Congratulations to Dean Mainey, who received the Employee of the Year award, and to Jess Stewart, who was announced Young Business Leader of the Year. Kudos also to Rachel Baigent, who took home Business Leader of the Year for businesses with 20 employees and over, and to Skye Vickers, who won Business Leader of the Year for businesses with 20 employees and under.

There was also special recognition for businesses celebrating important milestones. Cox's Bakery celebrated 100 years. Singleton Neighbourhood Centre celebrated 50 years. Daracon celebrated 40 years. Singleton Pump & Water Systems also celebrated 40 years, and Worn Out Wares celebrated 20 years. Local businesses play such an important role in our community in the Hunter. You all deserve the recognition that you are now receiving. The Hunter has everything. The wide range of categories in which our local businesses were recognised at these business excellence awards really goes to show how lucky we are. Whether you're big or small, whether you're a new business or one that's already been established in the community, congratulations to all who won awards and all who were highly commended in their categories. We are lucky to have you. I can't wait to visit more of you soon.

I recently had the privilege of attending the Lake Macquarie Business Excellence Awards 2024 as well. I'd like to extend my congratulations to Dynamic Business Technologies, which took home the award for employer of choice with 20 or fewer employees. Lake Group Strata was awarded employer of choice for a business with 21 or more employees. Flying Colours Education was recognised for excellence in diversity and inclusion. Definiti won an award for excellence in innovation. The award for excellence in large business went to 8 at Trinity. The award for excellence in microbusiness went to Andersen Pest Services, and the award for excellence in small business was given to Design Anthology. Aware… The Social Design Project took home the award for excellence in sustainability.

Nathan Franks from the Dynamic Business Technologies team received the award for outstanding business leader for a business with 20 or fewer employees. Melanie Bird from Lake Group Strata won the award for outstanding business leader for a business with 21 or more employees. Car 2 Home Project was recognised in the category of outstanding community organisation. Alexander McCallum from Lakes Custom Computers received the award for outstanding employee. Telethrive won the award for outstanding new business. Congratulations! CoastXP was recognised for outstanding visitor experience. Jye Rimmington from Rimmington Legal was announced as the outstanding young business leader.

The prestigious award of business of year went to Dynamic Business Technologies. This topped off a great night for Dynamic Business Technologies and demonstrated that a good employer helps business to succeed. 8 at Trinity also capped off a great night with the people's choice award. Well done, Keith and your team. I look forward to getting out there and seeing you again soon. It was a great night to celebrate these amazing businesses. My congratulations go out to all the finalists and winners.

Cessnock Business Chamber recently held its 2024 Customer Service Awards at Cessnock Leagues Club. Congratulations to Luke Bozic from Home In Place, who was the winner of the community service award, and to Casey Winter from the Community Kids Cessnock, who was runner-up. Georgia Dembeck from Balloon Aloft was the winner of the cellar door, restaurant and tourism award. Ken Hutchinson from Hanging Tree Wines was named runner-up. Shaun McDonald from SHM Built was named the winner of the trade award, and Zac Baldwin from Baldwin Crisis Services was named runner-up. In the pubs, clubs and cafes category, Cass Ponchard from the Abermain Hotel was named the winner and Leah Chevis from Blue Leaf Cafe was named runner-up. The retail award went to Kat Wilson from Bakers Delight, and Maddie Collins from Woolworths was the runner-up.

In my favourite category, health and beauty, Chris Underhill from Novaes Aesthetics was named the winner, and Eboni Lee Earl from Ink & Tint Brow Artistry was named the runner-up. Kelly Redfern from Next Level Property and Consulting was named the winner in the professional category. As well, Chelsea-Maree Mordue from First Step Conveyancing was the runner-up. In the under-18s category, Bailey Allport from Blanchies on Leisure was the winner, and Lilly from Lillys Local Services was the runner-up. The overall winner on the night was Chris Underhill from Novaes Aesthetics. Congratulations to all the winners. The Hunter is a wonderful place to be. Thank you for all that you do as business owners in employing people in the Hunter and making sure that we can be the place we are.