Tonight at Yazzbar we held our first Business Awards ceremony, and it certainly won’t be our last. It has been a wonderful community exercise.

Many locals got involved by nominating businesses and we had strong competition from across the Yass Valley for the five categories.

Experienced, expert people from amongst us were the judges, and five worthy winners have been crowned. Congratulations!

Recognising an inspirational person aged 18-35 years who, through their own commitment and passion, has built and operates a successful business.

The 2017 award for Yass Valley Young Entrepreneur goes to Jessica Robertson of Bello Beauty.

Recognising organisations that put in place strategies and initiatives to create stimulating and supportive workplace environments for their employees.

The 2017 Yass Valley Business Chamber award for Employer of Choice goes to Yass Valley Property.

Recognising enterprises of fewer than 20 staff that have used specific strategies and processes to achieve sustainable growth in the previous 24 months.

The 2017 Yass Valley Business Chamber award for Excellence in Small Business goes to Yass Valley Tyre Service.

Recognising businesses that further a social purpose in a financially sustainable way.

The 2017 Yass Valley Business Chamber award for Excellence in Social Enterprise goes to Six8 Coffee Roasters.

Recognising those with outstanding entrepreneurial spirit, strategic business direction and innovative ideas while providing inspiration to a new, upcoming generation.

The 2017 Yass Valley Business Chamber award for Business Leader goes to Adam Bantock of Clementine.

I also want to congratulate anyone and everyone who has created a business in the Yass Valley.

Being in business can be tough: long hours and not always great pay, especially in the early days of a business.

But for those who stick at it, business is not just satisfying for the individuals involved, but necessary and positive for the community.

Businesses create jobs in the community. And the more profitable a business is, the more and better paying jobs that can be offered.

And profitable businesses and their staff pay a lot of the taxes that allow Australia to provide the public services and social safety net that make us a great society.

So, hats off to our businesses!

And a big thank you to the members and committee of the Yass Valley Business Chamber for creating such a positive vibe in our community and for being willing to “collaborate to invigorate”.