Cloncurry Courier Service has taken out the prestigious business of the year at the Commerce North West 2018 Northern Outback Business Awards on Saturday.
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Cloncurry Courier Service, based in Ryan Rd Mount Isa won the award on a glittering night at the Buchanan Park Entertainment Centre in front of a sellout crowd of 400 people.
They also won Service excellence award Trades and Services sector and judges comments included a great business plan, great expansion planning and “a great work ethic adopted by all”.
Business owners Ian and Melina Fletcher were joined on stage by staff as they accepted the business if the year award.
Melina Fletcher said she and her husband came off cattle stations and know nothing about freight when they started the business.
“We got in and gave it a go,” Ms Fletcher.
“We worked really hard to secure ourselves and now we've got a full team of dedicated staff who help everyone in the community.”
Ms Fletcher said they serviced customers primarily based in Cloncurry and surrounding areas.
“A lot of people don’t realise the extent these guys go to,” she said.
“Every day they are on the road at 3am to make sure Cloncurry gets their pathology to the hospital, their mining equipment and it’s not seen to the general public."
READ ALSO: Flashback to the 2017 awards
Other big winners on the night were Sally Prendergast (DILI) who took out three awards, as did Custom Steel Fab while Mt Isa Isuzu Ute, Julia Creek’s Gravel and Grace and Karumba’s End of the Road Motel all won two awards.
LJ Hooker Mount Isa and Sanctum Skin and Spa Retreat were added to Commerce North West’s Hall of Fame.
Commerce North West president Travis Crowther congratulated all the businesses that were nominated as well as the winners.
“A special mention all the judges, I don’t even know who they were,” Mr Crowther said.
“All three had a huge task and for the first time we got some more judges involved.”
Hit 102.5’s JB was the MC on the Octoberfest-themed night with an oompapa band and a schnapps bar.
See full list of winners on page 10.
Winners
Business Growth Award less than 10 employees – Dili - Dream It Live It.
Business Growth Award more than 10 employees – Mount Isa Coaches.
Business Innovation Award 10 or less employees – Gravel and Grace.
Business Innovation Award more than 10 employees – Custom Steel Fab.
Sustainability in business award - Adels Grove Camping Park.
New investment award 10 or less employees – Arvo’s Tapas Bar.
New investment award more than 10 employees – Mt Isa Isuzu Ute.
Corporate Citizenship award – Buttercream Queen Cakes.
Workplace of Choice award 10 or less employees – Shut Up And Cut.
Workplace of Choice award more than 10 employees – Custom Steel Fab.
Community organisation award – Young People Ahead.
Service excellence award Professional Services Sector - O'Regan and Partners.
Service excellence award Health and Beauty Sector - Dili - Dream It Live It.
Service excellence award Hospitality and Tourism sector – End of the Road Motel (Karumba).
Service excellence award Trades and Services sector – Cloncurry Courier Service.
Service excellence award Retail sector – Mt Isa Isuzu Ute.
Service excellence award Employment, Education and Training sector – Martyr Training Services.
Service excellence award Social and Coommunity sector – Craig A Murray Dog Training.
Customer Service Hero Award Services sector – Natasha Heath End of the Road Motel.
Customer Service Hero Award Skilled sector - Sally Prendergast DILI.
Customer Service Hero Award Community sector – Alison Dowling (Rotary MISW).
Emerging Business award - Gravel and Grace.
Digital Strategy Award - Custom Steel Fab.
Chamber Choice Award – Superior Machinery Maintenance.
Young business person of the year - Kodie Kuskopf JOAT Maintenance.
Indigenous Business of the Year – Phoenix Security Services
Hall of Fame Awards – LJ Hooker Mount Isa and Sanctum Skin and Spa Retreat.
Business of the Year – Cloncurry Courier Service.
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