Victorian small and family businesses ranging from a mobile dental clinic to a multicultural hair salon and a regional artisan cheese producer have been recognised at this year’s Victorian Small Business Awards, as the state government celebrated the sector’s contribution to communities and the economy.
Minister Natalie Suleyman joined business owners and industry leaders at the awards ceremony held at the National Gallery of Victoria this week, describing small businesses as “the beating heart of local communities across our State”.
“Behind every one of our 735,000 small businesses is a real story and the Victorian Small Business Awards are about recognising and celebrating them,” Suleyman said.
“Thank you to all of our small and family businesses for everything you do.”
Among the major winners was Teeth On Wheels, which received the Youth in Business Award.
Founded in 2015 by brothers Joseph and Rami Zeid, the mobile dental clinic has partnered with more than 250 schools and delivered treatment to over 80,000 children across Victoria.
Melbourne CBD hair salon Rakis on Collins won the Multicultural Business Award after more than four decades serving the community.
Founder Stavros Tavrou was recognised not only for building a successful salon business, but also for mentoring younger generations entering the hair and beauty industry.
The Women in Business Award went to NLA Logistics, founded by Nicole Appleton.
Starting with a single truck in 2016, the company has expanded into a fully women-owned logistics operation with more than 150 contractors supporting infrastructure and construction projects across Victoria.
Regional dairy business Apostle Whey Cheese received the Lifetime Achievement Award.
After decades as dairy farmers, Julian and Dianne Benson diversified into artisan cheese manufacturing in 2005 at their Cooriemungle farm, later expanding into tourism and local produce including milk, ice cream and gin.
The business has become a major regional tourism attraction while supporting local artisans and showcasing innovation within Victoria’s agricultural sector.
The Victorian Government said the state is home to more than 735,000 small and family businesses, employing over 1.3 million people and contributing more than $417 billion annually to the economy.
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