Like many central Victorian employees, Maree Laux knows the value of a hard day’s work.
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“I serve, clean, help out the girls if they call in sick and see if I can help out with their duties,” she said.
“There’s no such thing as rest in a bakery. If you aren’t service customers you are out the back helping out or trying to get the jump on the next day’s jobs.”
The Elmore Bakery employee was recognised for her hard work last May when she took out Employee of the Year at the Bendigo Business Excellence Awards.
The call has again rung out for nominations for the awards, with over 300 hundred applications across 17 categories.
Bendigo business council member engagement manager Jason Teyeh said businesses should consider nominating deserving employees.
It is something Elmore Bakery did at the last awards, secretly nominating Ms Laux as well as apprentice Linette Moore for the Apprentice/Trainee of the Year. Both women won.
Mr Teyeh said these types of categories could do more than recognise the hard work of employees.
“It puts the business in a position where a leader can single out individuals who make up their team and also potentially help set them up as future leaders,” he said.
Mr Tayeh said the size of the Bendigo community meant people were always rubbing shoulders with the people they did business with, often in social situations such as the chance bumping into people in the supermarket.
Bakery owner Travis Wilson said the news traveled through Elmore fast after last May’s ceremony.
“The day after the awards many people were coming into the shop to congratulate Maree and Linette,” he said.
“Everyone was just so excited to see Elmore on the map and that our staff were being acknowledged.”
The winner of the 2017 Business of the Year Award will receive a $10,000 print and digital advertising campaign in the Bendigo Advertiser.
Each of the 17 category winners will receive an advertising package, including print, social media and radio coverage.
New categories include Excellence in Trade, Excellence in Service Industry, Excellence as a Large Employer, and Excellence as a New Business.
Nominations close on January 20, and can be submitted via the Bendigo Business Excellence Awards website.
Tom O'Callaghan
I grew up in Bendigo and I want to tell your stories.
I grew up in Bendigo and I want to tell your stories.
