Judges said the reasons behind Kowelec’s growth was far from accidental.

Frances Macdonald and Paul Goudie from Regional Development Victoria, Lisa Rundell of Lost Trades Fair and Tomahawk Marketing + PR, and McIvor Farm Foods’ Jason and Belinda Hagan were the judges for the 2017 awards.

“This is a company that totally blew me away with their business planning, staff management and customer service,” Ms Macdonald said.

“The reason for this company's growth and success is not accidental – it’s all down to the hard work of Adrian Kowal and his team.”

Kowelec Electrical Contractors also won the manufacturing, construction and trade award.

The Bike Vault won the judges’ award along with the retail, hospitality and tourism award while We Push Buttons and Healing Well shared the professional services award.

Business award judge Lisa Rundell said the Bike Vault’s enormous community contribution has won the hearts of the locals.

“Their exceptional one stop destination bicycle shop has a service plus approach to business,” she said.

Castlemaine’s Theatre Royal won the creative and cultural award, Tori’s Pooch Parlour took out the micro business award and the agribusiness award went to Oxley Feed Mill.

Ms Macdonald said she was pleased to see so many businesses integrating environmentally sustainable principles and practices into their operational activities.

“The Oxley family [of Oxley Feed Mill] is an example of how generations of hard work builds the foundation and reputation of a great business that we all want to deal with,” she said.

“In 1998 their various farming enterprises expanded into a thriving stockfeed business, still entirely family owned and operated.

“This company is constantly innovating their products and processes.”

Mount Alexander Shire mayor Sharon Telford highlighted the talents of the shire’s local business people.

“I am so impressed by the acumen and enthusiasm of our local business people,” she said.

“Operating your own business is not a nine-to-five job. It requires tremendous effort, commitment and tenacity.

“I saw a lot of these qualities on display tonight and I congratulate each of the business owners and their teams and wish them every success.”