The shire’s business awards attracted a diverse group of businesses from manufacturing to agriculture and retail.

It was a chance to identify leading performers and to acknowledge employees for excellence. MWS Fabrication principals Mark and Erin Schirmer accepted the overall business excellence award.

It was the second year they had entered in the awards and Mr Schirmer said it was certainly a valuable experience. “It was humbling to be nominated, and humbling to win it,” he said. “It is nice to get the recognition for ourselves and our employees … without them we don’t have a business,” he said. The business, which draws work from within the shire as well as external tenders around Wagga, Albury and beyond, employs six local people in addition to Mr and Mrs Schirmer. 

“Our main bread and butter is truck bodies and ute trays and general maintenance and repairs and fabrication,” he said.  The overall acknowledgement was set to have plenty of flow-on benefits. “I think it is good when you are in business to have some recognition … and it puts the shire on the map,” he said. “It opens up opportunities and allows businesses to share what they do,” he said. 

Mr Schirmer said it was rewarding to do well for both customers and employees. The awards were announced last Thursday at The Rock Memorial Bowling Club and the event attracted 80 guests. The event was hosted by The Rock  Progress Association.

Lockhart Shire Council Mayor Rodger Schirmer was the official master of ceremonies and David Yeates of BEC Business Advice South and West was guest speaker. 

Business award winners:

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