Busselton businesses take gongs

Six awards were won by three Busselton businesses at the 2012 South West Small Business Awards held in Bunbury last weekend.

Three awards went to Geographe Marine Engineering which included the top honour of Small Business of the Year as well as the Best Small Business with five-to-10 employees and the Community Spirit Award.

Owner Luke Purdy said apart from operating a private sea rescue and maintenance business, his staff made up one-third of the active members of the Busselton Volunteer Marine Rescue unit and he maintained the volunteer organisation’s boats for free.

The firm also participated in an employment rehabilitation program which helped adults reenter the workforce and a high school student work experience program.

Two awards went to Fusion Jewellers who won the Construction and Manufacturing Award and the Best Small Business with under five employees.

The Customer Service Award went to Busselton Telephones and Technology which has seven staff working in sales and as technicians.

More than 300 small business owners and members of South West communities attended the gala dinner and award ceremony last Saturday night.