Excellent customer service providers from across the Cessnock region will be recognised and celebrated at the Cessnock Customer Service Awards this Friday night.
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An initiative of the Cessnock Chamber of Commerce, the awards were re-born in their current format in 2010 and have grown every year to become one of the biggest nights on Cessnock's social calendar.
The 2019 awards will be presented at an Arabian Nights-themed gala dinner at Cessnock Leagues Club, with more than 200 people expected to attend.
A total of 1155 nominations were submitted for this years awards, covering 390 individuals and 49 teams across 187 businesses.
Each nominee's name will be called out on the night, with the take-home message being that everyone is a winner.
Categories include trade, professional, community service, retail, hospitality, team and business owner, with winners and highly commended awards presented in each section, and an overall winner selected from the category winners.
Cessnock Chamber of Commerce president Clint Ekert said the awards shine a light on exceptional customer service providers across our region.
Mr Ekert said the sheer number of nominees is proof it that good customer service is something Cessnock businesses do really well.
He said choosing a winner was once again a tough task for the judges, with many outstanding nominees across all categories.
The awards are proudly sponsored by Cessnock Chamber of Commerce, Cessnock Leagues Club, Cessnock City Council, the Advertiser, Cessnock Print Place, Newcastle Permanent, Matthew Evans Podiatry and Sports Services and Balloon Worx.
Stay tuned to the Advertiser's Facebook page on Friday night for the announcement of the overall winner.
HONOUR ROLL: Take a look back at the history of the Cessnock Customer Service Awards, dating back to 2010, below.
2018 WINNERS
- Overall winner: Dayne Poole (Hunter Area Plumbing).
- Hospitality: Lotus Holstein (Burgerfiend).
- Trade: Karisha Norley (Vivid Hair).
- Community services: Kellie Auld (Kurri Kurri Library).
- Retail: Tara Herring (Sportspower Cessnock).
- Professional: Rachel Bailey (Belle Property)
- Business owner: Dayne Poole (Hunter Area Plumbing).
- Team: Commonwealth Bank Cessnock
Read more about the 2018 awards here.
2017 WINNERS
- Overall winner: Jordyn Threlfo (Jordy Can Do Errands For You).
- Community services: Jordyn Threlfo (Jordy Can Do Errands For You).
- Trade: Dylan Craft (Scott's Meats).
- Retail: Rachael McGee (iTravel Cessnock).
- Hospitality: Liz Joyes (Gundog Estate).
- Professional: Claudia Radnidge (Cessnock Plaza Pharmacy).
- Business owner: Kim Munro (Butterfly's Fashion Boutique).
- Team: winner, Cessnock District Health Benefits Fund.
Read more about the 2017 awards here.
2016 WINNERS
- Overall winner: Jonathan Lee (Goldmans Produce).
- Community service: Emmie Hallett (The Undeniably Noisy Project).
- Trade: Kate Archer (Sign Style).
- Hospitality: Kieran Mackenzie (Cessnock Leagues Club).
- Professional: Fiona Bright (Greater Bank).
- Retail: Jonathan Lee (Goldmans Produce).
- Business owner: Shayne Herring (KFC).
- Hall of Fame: Lesley Radnidge (Samaritans).
Read more about the 2016 awards here.
2015 WINNERS
- Overall winner: Kristy Brady (Video Ezy).
- Community services: joint winners, Jenny Field (Finding Yellow), Karen Bruce (Kurri Library).
- Hospitality: Kirsten Mitchell (Chateau Élan).
- Professional: Sally Tindall (The Advertiser).
- Trade: Taneil Shoesmith (Sign Style).
- Retail: Kristy Brady (Video Ezy).
- Business owner: Therese Mallik (Mallik Real Estate).
Read more about the 2015 awards here.
2014 WINNERS
- Overall winner: Darrell Farrelly (Farrellys Mechanical Repairs).
- Community: Joint winners, Lesley Radnidge (Samaritans) and Alison Crane (Mai-Wel LabourForce Solutions).
- Apprentice/trainee: Kate Stevenson (Sternbecks Real Estate).
- Trade: Winner, Darrell Farrelly (Farrellys Mechanical Repairs).
- Retail: Kevin Sloane (Australia Post).
- Hospitality: Paul Cousins (Cessnock Leagues Club).
- Professional: Marlie Caban (Mallik Rees Lawyers).
- Social media: LJ Hooker Cessnock and Kurri Kurri.
- Business owner: David Fitzgibbon (Fastway Couriers).
Read more about the 2014 awards here.
2013 WINNERS
- Overall winner: Kim Ruggari (Mathers Shoes).
- Business of the Year: Samaritans Information and Neighbourhood Centre.
- Not-for-profit: Madison Main (Mai-Wel LabourForce Solutions).
- Apprentice/trainee: Larissa Moncrieff (Barberella Hair Design and Academy).
- Trade: Brandi McKenzie (Barberella Hair Design and Academy).
- Retail: Kim Ruggari (Mathers Shoes).
- Hospitality: Jessica McLeish (McLeish Estate Wines).
- Professional: Kathryn Dodd (Adore Photography).
- New media: Balloon Worx.
Read more about the 2013 awards here.
2012 WINNERS
- Overall winner: Lenny Nicholson (Maindrag Performance Equipment).
- Business of the Year: The Body Ark.
- Professional: Anthony Burke (The Hunter Celebrant).
- Not-for-Profit: Lesley Radnidge (Samaritans)
- Trade: Stefan Nemeth (Cessnock Locksmith).
- Apprentice/Trainee: Jodie McDonald (Barberella Hair Design and Academy).
- Hospitality: Amanda Clarke (Ink Cafe).
- Retail: Lenny Nicholson (Maindrag Performance Equipment).
- New Media: Mellissa Gibson (LJ Hooker Cessnock).
Read more here.
2011 WINNERS
- Overall winner: Jennifer Corbett (East Coast Conveyancing).
- Business of the Year: Mamas Cafe.
- Trade: David Schofield (Schofield Plumbing).
- Retail: Lyndell Pryor (Coles Cessnock).
- Hospitality: Leeann Lorriman (Hunter Valley Hotel Academy).
- Professional: Jennifer Corbett (East Coast Conveyancing).
- Community services: Rosemary Anne Garner (Cessnock Performing Arts Centre).
- New media: Balloon Worx.
- Apprentice/trainee: Sarah McKay (Lifeguard Tyres).
2010 WINNERS
- Overall winner: Julie Carmichael (Cessnock City Council).
- Apprentice trainee: Jules Zeinert (Harrigans Pub).
- Community service: Julie Carmichael (Cessnock City Council).
- Trade: Michael Tracey (ONeills Tyres).
- Professional: Julia Allen (Westpac).
- Hospitality: Josef Krausert (McDonalds).
- Retail: Paul ONeill (ONeills Jewellers).
