With a month go to before the awards night on September 7, previous winners have praised the awards for the recognition they’ve received.

J & T Dale Plumbing owner Tom Dale said being co-winners of the business of the year with Cupitt’s Kitchen galvanized their staff.

“The whole team on the night were all ecstatic,” he said.

Progressing from previous winners of best in trades to sharing the coveted overall honour highlighted how their effort on customer service had been well-received.

“We definitely feel we’ve got a good rapport with the wider-community,” Mr Dale said.

Tony’s Italian Ristorante Bar & Seafood owner Carlo Capogreco said he was shocked when he won the people’s choice restaurant because he had only opened the restaurant less than 12 months before he received the honour.

It was the first time Mr Capogreco had a business nominated.

“It was fantastic to win, it was a shock and a honour all at once,” Mr Capogreco said.

“We did it all within 12 months of opening the business, I didn’t expect a victory at all.”

Mr Dale encouraged businesses to enter the awards because it was a way to support the local community on the night and “a great way to get your business name” into the wider-community.

Organisers of the business have also reminded residents to get their votes and submissions in on time before entries close on August 17.

This year’s voting format for community-voted winners has changed, with no nominations needed, just voting forms to be completed. The businesses with the most votes will win their categories. 

The most votes will decide the popularly selected awards which include Friendliest Business, Friendliest Employee, People’s Choice Casual Eatery and People’s Choice Restaurant.

For businesses wishing to enter the judged categories, owners or staff will need to complete an application form, which can be downloaded online at www.rotaryclubofmiltonulladulla.org.au or collected from the Milton Ulladulla Times office on Wason Street, Ulladulla. 

Entries can be lodged online through the Rotary Club’s website, dropped off at the Times or posted to Rotary PO Box 151 Ulladulla.

Categories include; Community organisation of the year, best tourism hospitality or business, best in professional practice, best in trades and services, best in personal services, health and wellbeing and best in retail services.