Business Illawarra media release: 19 November 2021
The 2021 IMB Bank Illawarra Business Awards were celebrated on Friday, 19 November at an exclusive, black-tie gala event at the WIN Entertainment Centre in Wollongong.
This year’s special ‘Blooming in Business’ awards ceremony recognised the inspiring businesses who found new and innovative opportunities to flourish, despite the challenges of the global pandemic and related lockdowns.
“Our winners tonight are an exceptional group of businesses and individuals who all have their own unique stories to tell. With a record number of entrants and a very high standard of applications, our esteemed independent judging panel had a very difficult job this year,” said Executive Director of Business Illawarra, Adam Zarth.
“It has been more important than ever for all of us to share and celebrate stories of businesses excellence in these difficult times – that we hope are now finally behind us,” said Mr Zarth.
“Business Illawarra has been privileged to serve the business community of the Illawarra through an exceptionally challenging couple of years, and it has been nothing short of a privilege to showcase our award winners in this, the 27th year of celebrating excellence tonight.”
The Port Authority of New South Wales is the winner of the 2021 IMB Bank Illawarra Business of the Year and won the category of Excellence in Business. Their operations at Port Kembla connect the Illawarra’s industries with the world, driving our economy, supporting local businesses and delivering prosperity to the Illawarra region and NSW. Over the past 12 months, they have ensured that Port Kembla remained safe, secure and open to the world during the pandemic, adapting quickly and creatively to implement a range of additional measures to protect the community, local industries and staff without compromising efficiency.
In the individual award categories, Chief Executive of the Housing Trust, Michele Adair, was announced as the region’s Outstanding Business Leader for 2021. Susan Finn from Burnetts on Barney was announced the 2021 Outstanding Employee, and Kylie Flament from Green Connect took out the Outstanding Young Business Leader Award.
Find out more about the annual awards at the Business Illawarra website.
