By Rebecca Skilton
Some of the South-East region’s best businesses are vying for this year’s Casey Cardinia Business Awards.
In the lead up to the gala presentation dinner on Friday 27 October, Star News will profile the nominees in each category, this week focusing on home-based business and retail.
Home-based businesses
Kelly Sports
Running since January 2010, Kelly Sports Berwick and Pakenham runs fun sports based programs during school lunchtime, after-school, at childcare, kindergartens and through holiday programs, at birthday parties as well as conducting mini sporters on Saturdays for three to five year olds.
As Kelly Sports owner Darren Michelle explained, the business focuses on teaching young children fundamental sports skills.
“My team and I provide our Kelly Sporters with a taste of a range of sports and activities to enable them to decide what to pursue via local sporting clubs,” Darren said.
“These classes are age appropriate and are designed to get the young children moving, increase confidence, sports and motor skills and, most importantly, they are great fun.”
Soul Sister Nosh
Founded in September 2016, Narre Warren’s Soul Sister Nosh produces 100 organic, raw and healthy alternative snacks.
Its products are gluten free, dairy free, soy free plus vegan and paleo friendly and are handmade in-house.
As Soul Sister Nosh representative Caroline Towers explained, the company has a simple message – “making the right simple small changes can have long-lasting health benefits.”
“From experience we know changing to a healthier lifestyle is a gradual process that needs to have a series of small wins,” Caroline said.
“And the first small win is to replace those unhealthy ‘on-the-go’ snacks with healthy snacks. Get on the right side of healthy with nutritious snacks from Soul Sister Nosh and move away from the cookie jar!”
Tour Local
Tour Local in Pakenham offers touring solutions for those who don’t want to self-drive.
The company prides itself on working with groups in such a way that the stresses involved with achieving minimum numbers to travel are now a thing of the past.
Tour Local offers local one day tours and interstate extended tours.
“Tour Local provides touring solutions for individuals or groups of any size from two to 102 plus,” Tour Local owner Joanne Staindl said.
“We also provide charter services for air and port transfers, weddings and corporate events.
“Our real specialty is writing and delivering tailor made tours of any length – from a few hours to many days away – for groups of any size, again from two to 102 plus.”
Retail
Davey Marine
Pakenham’s Davey Marine has built a reputation as South East Melbourne’s premium Honda dealership. The company prides itself on quality, whether it’s for an engine service, electronics upgrade or custom fit up of a new vessel.
Staff are fully qualified and their mechanics are highly trained using the latest in diagnostic equipment. Davey Marine’s Electrical Technicians is also trained on the latest in marine electronic systems.
“We’re retail and service specialists for a select range of new and used recreational boat brands and accredited dealers for Honda Marine, Blackdog Cats (New Zealand) and Edencraft Boats Australia,” Davey Marine Pakenham’s Adam Davey said.
“We also operate a Compleat Angler franchise from our retail outlet and sell an extensive range of boating accessories and safety gear.”
Emerald Village Pharmacy
Emerald Village Pharmacy is a community pharmacy offering a wide range of pharmaceutical services as well as specialising in beauty and complementary medicines.
Customer service is a priority for business owner Louisa Lammers and her pharmacy team.
“We aim to ensure each customer receives products and advice to encourage a positive health outcome,” Emerald Village Pharmacy’s Gabby D’Arcy said.
“Our staff have vast experience in all areas of health and wellbeing including diabetes, asthma, vitamins, make up and specialty skin care products.”
The pharmacy takes pride in assisting its customers by offering services such as blood pressure monitoring, medication reviews and a medicine packing service.
“We are preparing for Christmas and have a gorgeous range of gifts for everyone – many sourced from local Australian owned companies,” Gabby said.
“This is another reason to visit Emerald Village Pharmacy.”
Framing to a T Framers and Designers
Framing to a T Designers is a premium style destination for custom picture framing.
With a state-of-the-art manufacturing HQ and showroom located in Hallam and two retail stores in Berwick and in Brighton, Framing to a T provides bespoke picture framing, divine artwork and stylish furniture and home accessories for spaces across Melbourne.
“Framing to a T Framers and Designers produce unique, innovative and custom picture framing solutions,” Framing to a T owner Cath Stocks said.
“Because our picture framing has a design focus, the business also offers beautiful framed artworks, mirrors and occasional furniture pieces and homewares.
“These pieces complement our framing service.”
With an emphasis on meeting clients’ budgets and deadlines, Framing to a T has successfully cemented itself as a preferred choice of Victorian business for custom picture frames and quality framed art prints.
