If mood at East Grampians Business Awards was an accurate measure of business optimism in the region then we are headed for a busy and exciting period of growth and development.

Atmosphere generated by presenters, speakers, guests and award winners at Ararat Town Hall last week was uplifting, leaving many in the room with a much-needed renewed sense of confidence.

The theme of the night was ‘resilience’ and the stories of business and community solidarity spoke volumes about the value of adopting a positive attitude and working together.

The relatively simple presentations evolved well beyond simple recognition for businesses that had done well to survive the COVID-19 pandemic or deserved a pat on the back. They instead became a collective celebration for what lay ahead.

Guests were so supportive of everything that happened, they even forgave the presentation of an award to a wrong recipient, which could have easily been embarrassing for all involved and soured the night. Instead the mishap, arguably, turned into a highlight of human sensibility with everyone in the room gushing with support.

The timing of the awards, considering they came at a time of cautious emergence from the pandemic, with far-reaching development projects either underway or under the microscope in Ararat district, was almost perfect.

There was a sense that most in the room were full of expectation, many obviously having experienced a tough two years. 

Big business, small business, from retail to manufacturing – all came together with an enviable togetherness.

A profoundly proactive leadership group at Ararat Rural City Council, in a close working relationship with Greater Ararat Business Network, orchestrated the night.

For visitors from other regional centres it showed the type of positive sentiment that was possible to generate when all sectors in a community became engaged.

Achieving this has been no mean feat for an Ararat council that only a few years ago was subject to all sorts of problems and seemingly at odds with many of its people.

The reality is that the optimism and confidence in the air at Ararat Town Hall was far from false. 

It left some of us feeling that with a few good moves by a few influential individuals, putting a few goods ticks in a few good boxes, a region spanning from east of the Grampians to the South Australian border – the Wimmera – could seriously boom.

Let’s make the most of what the future holds, support our businesses, support our towns, support our communities and support our people.

The entire December 1, 2021 edition of The Weekly Advertiser is available online. READ IT HERE!