In front of a packed house at a gala dinner in Traralgon last Friday night, four Baw Baw based businesses were announced as category winners at the 2019 Gippsland Business Awards.
For over 22 years, the Gippsland Business Awards have been celebrating the achievements of Gippsland based business. The awards providing a unique opportunity to showcase the accomplishments, innovation and successful endeavours of Gippsland business.
Local award winners
- Accommodation – Mercure Hotel, Warragul
- Beauty and Personal Care – Gippsland Cosmetic Laser Clinic, Warragul
- Business and Professional Services – Leah Mether of Methmac Communications, Willow Grove
- New Business – Little Bumble Reusable Food Wraps, Warragul
The Accommodation category was taken out by the Mercure Hotel Warragul. A standout for accommodation in the Shire and a favourite for business and pleasure, the Mercure was a well-deserved winner of this award.
As one of the leading cosmetic practices in Australia and with clinics in both Warragul and Traralgon, Gippsland Cosmetic Laser Clinic was rewarded with the award in the Beauty and Personal Care category.
A popular winner in the of Business and Professional Services award was Leah Mether, from Methmac Communications. The Willow Grove local is a leading speaker, trainer, facilitator and author.
Following on from their success at the recent Startup Gippsland pitch showcase, Little Bumble Reusable Food Wraps took out the Best New Business prize. Little Bumble are leading the way in developing reusable, sustainable food wraps.
12 other Baw Baw based businesses were nominated in a range of categories on the night including:
- Vivere Retreat – Neerim South
- Aerium – Warragul (also located in Traralgon)
- Gippsland Jersey – Jindivick
- Decipher Dance – Trafalgar
- Olivia’s Place – Warragul
- Hogget Kitchen – Warragul
- Progressive Rehabilitation – Warragul
- Warragul Wellness Centre – Warragul
- Intersport – Warragul
- Trafalgar True Hardware – Trafalgar
- Lardner Park – Lardner
- Trafalgar Holden Museum – Trafalgar
Baw Baw Shire Mayor Cr Mikaela Power presented the Hospitality category award, sponsored by Council, to the Tinamba Hotel. It was a good night for the hotel as they also took the main award, Gippsland Business of the Year.
To see the full list of 2019 award winners go to
As noted by Mayor Cr Mikaela Power
“Congratulations to all the nominees and award winners, and to the Gippsland Business Awards committee for putting together a fantastic event. These awards acknowledge the hard work that the business owners put in throughout the year, and also help to raise the profile of local businesses.”
“With special congratulations of course to the winners from Baw Baw; Mercure Hotel Warragul, Gippsland Cosmetic Laser Surgery, Leah Mether and Little Bumble Reusable Food Wraps. Baw Baw Shire is a a business leader in our region and it’s great to see some recognition for businesses in our Shire.”
Image: Gala dinner and presentation ceremony for the Gippsland Business Awards 2019.
Image: Mayor Cr Mikaela Power presenting the Hospitality award to the Tinamba Hotel, category sponsored by Baw Baw Shire Council.
Image: Leah Mether of Willow Grove-based Methmac Communications, winner of the Business and Professional Services award.
Image: Laura Eddington of Warragul-based Little Bumble Reusable Food Wraps, winner of the New Business award.
Image: Mercure Hotel Warragul, winner of the Accommodation award.
