Recognition is a healthy sign of success

By Tania Martin
HILLS businesses have the Midas touch after scooping the pool at the recent Cardinia Shire awards.
Vibe Health and Fitness Centre of Emerald, Charlottes on Main, The Forest Edge and Blackwood Lane Studio of Gembrook were all winners.
Mayor Bill Ronald said it was great to see so many new entrants in the Cardinia Business Awards this year.
He said the entries were also from wide range of business this year from primary producers to artists and home base enterprises.
Fifteen awards were presented to 14 different businesses from across the shire at a gala dinner on Friday 9 May.
Staff at Vibe Health and Fitness Centre were pleasantly surprised when they receive two awards on the night.
Owner and manager Tiffany Smith said it was fantastic that in the first year of operation the business had done so well.
“We hoped we would win the Access for All award because that is what our philosophy is all about,” she said.
“We aim to cater for disable kids, rehabilitation as well as elite sports people.”
But Ms Smith said she never expected to take out a second award for the Best Business and Professional Services.
“We never expected to win this second award – it’s fantastic,” she said.
The fitness centre first opened its doors in February last year with the aim to establishing a healthy, happy and vibrant community.
Meanwhile business in Gembrook is booming with its top restaurant, tourist centre and artistic studio all taking out awards.
Charlottes on Main, a renowned tearoom and information centre, took out the tourism award.
The café/tearooms provide morning and afternoon teas, light lunches and breakfasts on Sundays and public holidays.
Charlottes is also an accredited visitor information centre with Dandenong Ranges Tourism.
One of Gembrook’s finest dining venues, The Forest Edge was also rewarded for its culinary excellence with an award for the Best Food and Wine business.
The Forest Edge concept was first envisaged by Rob Butterworth with the aim of creating a fine dining restaurant at reasonable rates.
The final hills award went to Blackwood Lane Studio for the Best Home Based Business.
Renowned artist Sue Jarvis exhibits her work at the studio which is situated adjacent to her home in Gembrook.