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Meet the people and businesses adjudged to be our town's best at the 2014 Excellence in Eden Business Awards winners.
A well-known Eden businessman, who has had dozens and dozens of apprentices through his businesses over the years, once said this.
“Out of every 10 apprentices, you get you get one who is a natural born.
“Probably two out of 10 are good, and the rest you could split, with half of those who are never going to make it.”
The man who said that was Allan Fraser.
Between the hugely successful Fraser Marine and Fraser Motors, you can’t doubt that Alan’s a good judge of character, and he reckon he’s onto a real winner in apprentice Bobby Maher.
Bobby’s about to start his second year as an apprentice mechanic at Fraser Marine, and will do so with $15,000 behind him thanks to a NSW Government scholarship.
The Bert Evans scholarship supports apprentices who may come from an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander background and show aptitude, or are female in a non-traditional skill area, to complete their apprenticeships.
In a testament to his ability, Bobby was the man chosen by the Government for the scholarship, and he’s the man who’s been chosen by the judges as Eden's best trainee or apprentice.
Having just completed her second year at TAFE in a way only hairdressers could, at the Weird and Wonderful Hair Show, Kayla Denham is ready to make the step up to replace the departing Siobhan Russell at Hair Lamartine.
Her boss, Bronwyn Schmich, jokes that she could “roll out a toilet roll of client praise for Kayla, because that’s how long the list would be”.
Kayla has a natural ability to interact with her clients, regardless of their age or background, and her makes it her mission to have every client laugh while they’re in the chair.
On top of that, her colouring and cutting skills are top-notch.
Browns Butchery is no stranger to winning awards, having had their fair share of state-wide and national recognition over the years, and most recently winning a regional award earlier in 2014.
When quizzed on the secret to his success, the owner modestly replies that after so long, “you sort of know what’s what”.
But the thing about third-generation butcher Robert Brown and the team at Browns Butchery is that you can always be sure you’ll walk out the door with a quality product.
If you don’t believe us, just take a look around their store and feast your eyes on the array of trophies and certificates.
They say diamonds are forever, and while our runner-up hasn’t quite been here forever, they’ve been a part of Eden for a long time.
For three decades, Georgie’s Fine Jewellery has been a glittering presence on Imlay Street, and remains to this day a valued part of the local community.
They’re prepared to go the extra mile, not only selling an extensive range of jewellery for any occasion, but also boasting a strong jewellery repair and custom-made jewellery pedigree.
Georgie’s has contributed to the business awards since its inception, and has kindly provided one of the gala dinner and presentation night's major drawcards – a dazzling 30-point diamond.
He may have only been in Eden for a few years, but this man embodies what we mean when we talk about the ‘Eden community spirit’.
He’s one of us, and that’s what makes Con Castrissios so good at what he does.
Con’s the kind of businessman who knows his customers by name.
When you walk through the IGA doors, you know that if you come across Con, he’ll be up for a chat.
And it’s not just small talk – he’s genuinely interested in what you’ve got to say, because if you love Eden, you and Con have something in common.
Congratulations to the ‘best customer service by an individual’ award winner, Con Castrissios.
The fact that every single staff member was nominated for an Excellence in Eden Business Award would come as no surprise to anyone who’s gone to have a trim at Hair Lamartine.
To find out why, you simply need to look at who they work for.
Bronwyn Schmich knows her way around a head of hair, but more importantly, she knows how to treat her customers.
It’s always a good idea to book in advance at Hair Lamartine, because once Bronwyn gets a new client, they won’t want to go anywhere else.
With so much planned at Snug Cove, the local tourism opportunities are endless.
And while the bigger picture is starting to become clear, some saw its potential long ago, including Gail Ward.
For the past six years, Gail has worked tirelessly as volunteer cruise coordinator to put Eden on both the international and domestic cruise maps.
She’s taken Eden to a point where we’re now ready to welcome the biggest cruise ships Snug Cove has ever seen, with P&O to make its maiden voyages in 2015.
They’re bigger than ever, and there will be more of them than ever, which means more passengers and more money for the local economy.
Gail’s the person to thank for that.
This town simply wouldn’t survive without the help of our dedicated volunteers.
Almost everywhere you go, you’ll find a smiling face willing to lend a hand – not because they have to, but because they want to.
In a number of cases, you’ll find that same smiling face wearing a number of different hats.
The volunteer award runner-up is one such person.
You’d be hard pressed to find a person in Eden who doesn’t know Jack Dickenson.
He’s one of our most tireless, most willing volunteers, whether he’s coming up with his next brilliant and sometimes quirky idea for the award-winning Eden Killer Whale Museum or cooking a barbie for Essci.
On a Wednesday morning, you’ll find him at the Men’s Shed, playing a hand of cards or working on a project – it’s a place where all blokes are welcome, and Jack’s the man who sees to that.
We’re living in paradise, complete with its pristine beaches, spectacular views and largely unspoiled coastal wilderness.
There’s Snug Cove, home to the local fishing fleet and the ever-popular whale watching charter boat, Cat Balou Cruises.
There’s fishing, snorkelling, diving, surfing – anything for the water enthusiast.
There’s the history of places like Boyd’s Tower and Greencape Lighthouse, and hidden wonders like the Pinnacles.
For your average tourist, that’s a lot to take in.
That’s why it’s a good thing we’ve got the fabulous Eden Visitor Information Centre.
Staffed by a team of enthusiastic and friendly volunteers and with bright and bubbly manager Shannon Woloshyn at the helm, there’s simply no better place to figure out a plan of attack for your stay.
They’ve got the local knowledge and brochures by the dozen to point you in the right direction, and local products and souvenirs to ensure you take away a lasting memory of your visit.
And who can forget their latest offering, the stunning new visitors’ guide that’s made exploring Eden easier than ever.
Congratulations to tourism award winner, the Eden Visitor Information Centre.
Eden’s future has never looked so bright, with over $25million worth of upgrades at Snug Cove and the town’s new standing as Australia’s number one whale watching destination opening up a range of exciting new tourism opportunities.
There’s sure to be a wave of new interest in Eden, but it’s vital that the mainstays that make our town so great also come along for the ride.
The tourism award runner-up is the perfect example of that.
Its centrepiece attraction has remained the same for over 80 years, but the Eden Killer Whale Museum has helped put Eden on the international map, and remains as popular today as it ever was.
The museum tells the story of one of the most unique relationships in world history – the story of the ‘Killers of Eden’, a pod of orcas who worked side-by-side with human whalers to hunt baleen whales.
Of all the killers, there’s one who holds a special place in the hearts of all who have walked through the museum’s doors.
84 years after his death, the skeleton of Old Tom remains preserved in the museum, attracting between 40-45,000 visitors each year, and surrounded by an ever-changing array of exhibitions showcasing local history.
Perfectly situated on the shores of Twofold Bay, the museum is also an ideal vantage point to catch a glimpse of the whales putting on a show off Middle Head, blending Eden’s whaling past with its whale watching present.
When you think trades and professional services, a brickie on a building site or a sparky fixing some faulty wiring may be what spring straight to mind.
But there’s such a broad range of services available in Eden that this one went right down to the wire… or as they’d say, right down to the 18th green.
Run by professionals Loraine Lambert and Lisa Newling, there’s no technique these ladies can’t swing into shape.
As any golfer would know, it’s often the most frustrating of games, but Loraine and Lisa’s brand of golf is all about enjoyment.
They offer lessons to people of all ages and abilities, and from all walks of life, with their junior golf programs both during school and in the holidays a standout feature of their business that is sure to leave the greens of Eden in good hands for years to come.
Situated in the perfect environment at the Eden Gardens Country Club course, the school provides the perfect opportunity for learners to get up to speed and make the easiest of transitions to the course.
Beyond just the school, Lisa and Loraine’s reputation has helped attract more players and tournaments to our neck of the woods, in a great boost for the town’s economy.
For over 60 years, they have been a fixture in Eden.
Put simply – they get things done, and they do it quickly and efficiently.
They’re the quintessential jack of all trades, offering everything from landscaping, road work, digging and back hoe loading, through to selling soil, gravel and stock feed.
Carrying on from the legacy his father John left since he took over the business over 20 years ago, Robert Michelin and his wife Eileen have made sure J Michelin & Son is not just an Eden institution, but a viable and relevant business.
Eden just wouldn’t be the same without them.
