“It was with great pleasure I was able to present “Excellence in Small Business” certificates to five small businesses in Warragul” said Warragul Rotary President Sunil Bhatt. “Despite difficult trading conditions over the last twelve months or so these businesses continued to provide outstanding service to the public in terms of value for money, customer service, business ethics and reliability” continued Sunil.
 
Proprietor of specialist wool shop Baa Baa Wool, Sandra Roberts (centre) receives her award from Warragul Rotary President Sunil Bhatt (left) and Alan Tatlow (right).
Five local businesses were nominated and are being recognised for their excellence, Jak’s Music, Ba Ba Wool, Gippsland Travel, Koffee Central and Alliance Taxi Service. All the businesses proprietors were delighted to receive their award and the recognition for the effort they put into their business.
 
 
Gippsland Travel proprietor Jacquey Turner (left) was delighted to receive her business excellence award from Warragul Rotary vocational services director Alan Tatlow (right).
 
People nominating businesses said they appreciated the opportunity to recognise and celebrate the high standards of goods and services offered by the businesses. 
 
 
Trevor Batt owner of Koffee Central displays his business award with Warragul Rotary President Sunil Bhatt (left) and Alan Tatlow (right).
 
Award winners said they were pleasantly surprised by the recognition and grateful to customers for their loyalty. All business proprietors made comment on the resourcefulness and perseverance of their staff in the face of repeated lockdown restrictions which was particularly appreciated. The Rotary of Warragul was also commended for the award scheme.
 
 
Jak’s Music proprietor Mark Belfield (right) was presented with his award by Warragul Rotary vocational services director Alan Tatlow (left).
 
Certificates recognising their excellence were presented to business proprietors at their premises as Covid restrictions have prevented the presentations being made at the traditional formal club dinner meeting.
 
 
Specialist taxi provider Alliance Taxi Services was pleased to receive their business excellence award. From left to right, Sunil Bhatt (Warragul Rotary President), Tracey Heal, David Smith and Alan Tatlow (Warragul Rotary vocational services director).
 
The “Excellence in Small Business” awards is an annual project for the Rotary Club of Warragul. This year the club’s vocational services director Alan Tatlow sought nominations directly from the general public and he was pleased with the support and comments from people nominating the small businesses.
 
“Presenting these awards to local business proprietors once again reminds me of the enthusiasm, vibrancy and innovation of local traders in our town” concluded Warragul Rotary Sunil Bhatt.