Eurobodalla businesses are set to celebrate their excellence together for the first time this year at the inaugural Eurobodalla Business Awards.

Council’s business development team and Eurobodalla’s five Chambers of Commerce are working together on this celebration of local business excellence, which will culminate in a gala awards presentation dinner on Friday 12 August at Moruya Golf Club.

In previous years, individual chambers have hosted their own award ceremonies but a recent push for a collaborative approach will see Eurobodalla businesses given the opportunity to recognise their outstanding achievements together in 2016.

Nominations are now open in eight categories: business leader, young entrepreneur, sustainability, accessibility, export, local chamber of commerce, small or home based business, and business.

The awards are endorsed by the NSW Business Chamber and the winners in most local categories will progress to the regional awards.

Mayor Lindsay Brown praised the Chambers of Commerce for collaborating on what he expects will be a fabulous event.

“The awards give businesses the chance to take a step back and review their business as a whole, highlight what they are doing well and set out goals for the future. I encourage all Eurobodalla businesses to consider nominating,” Cr Brown said.

Sponsorship support for the awards been generous, with working group spokesperson and Council’s business assistance manager Sarah Cooper reporting that all eight categories have a sponsor, along with Regional Development Australia as the event’s major sponsor and EzyPrint Moruya providing a print sponsorship.

Gold sponsors include Southern Phone, ActewAGL, Insurance Advisernet, Narooma Sporting and Services Club, Bee Dee Bags, Jotun Australia Pty Ltd, Eurobodalla Shire Council, and Village Centre & Bridge Plaza.

Anyone wishing to sponsor the business awards can contact the working group via [email protected]

Applications for the awards close at 5.00pm on Friday 1 July 2016. All Eurobodalla businesses are eligible to enter providing they have been in operation for at least two years.