One of our guests was Carlo Capogreco, who many will recognise as the friendly owner of Tony’s Italian Ristorante Bar & Seafood in Wason Street. He explained why he was attending his first business awards by himself: his wife and son were in Nowra for the Shoalhaven Superheroes Awards.

As the evening got under way, we noticed Carlo’s attention fixed firmly on his phone. Then we saw his face light up like a beacon. He’d received a text message telling him his son Antonio, 14, had won the Service and Beyond Award for his charity work. Proud as punch, Carlo was beaming – it was a touching fatherly moment.

Being there to share it with Carlo was a highlight because it spoke volumes about how close we are as a community. We’re still small enough to know each other by name and celebrate each other’s wins.

Held this time in Dunn Lewis Centre, itself symbolic of community, our awards night was a friendly gathering, refreshingly free of pretence and formality. The new venue helped make it even more enjoyable.

The Times had the pleasure of presenting three awards – including friendliest business and friendliest employee – both chosen by popular vote. 

Friendliness is what sets our community apart from larger centres such as Nowra or Wollongong. You can still go into a business and strike up a conversation and catch up on local happenings. You’re not just buying a product or service; you’re sharing a sense of belonging. Friendliness is a community asset worth holding on to. 

Business plays a huge role in our community. It’s not only an economic mainstay but it helps us get stuff done. The Dunn Lewis Centre, Jindelara, our surf lifesaving club, local sports, our service clubs, annual festivals, to name just a few, all benefit from the active involvement of business.

As a community news organisation, we love celebrating local achievements. A round of applause is deserved for the winners and everyone who participated. A word of thanks, too, for Rotary and the Dunn Lewis staff who made the evening so pleasant.

And congratulations to Carlo Capogreco. You can imagine our delight – and his – when he picked up the best restaurant award. Two triumphs in one night.