Remarkable Regional Business

Bendigo Business Excellence Awards Not-for-profit Award Winner 2025

Awards Category: Not-for-profit Award

Business Name: Bendigo Theatre Company

Presented to: Vern Wall

// About the business

Bendigo Theatre Company is a long-running community theatre organisation in Bendigo, Victoria dedicated to producing high-quality live theatre that entertains and engages local audiences. Since 1952, it has staged a wide range of musicals, dramas and productions while providing opportunities for performers, creators and behind-the-scenes volunteers of all ages. The company also fosters youth involvement through its Tribe Youth Theatre program and nurtures local theatrical talent.

// Links

https://www.bendigotheatrecompany.org.au/

https://bbea.com.au/

Bendigo Business Excellence Awards Winners 2025

Awards Category: Customer Focussed Award

Business Name: A L Parker Electrical

Presented to: Adam Parker

// About the business

Al Parker Electrical is a local, award-winning family-run electrical services business based in Bendigo, Victoria. Founded by qualified A-Grade electrician Adam Parker, the team delivers reliable, safe and high-quality electrical solutions for homes, businesses, new builds and renovations across Bendigo and surrounds. They’re known for clear communication, professional workmanship and dependable service—from everyday repairs to solar, EV chargers and full installations. 

// Links

https://www.alparkerelectrical.com.au/

https://bbea.com.au/

Bendigo Business Excellence Awards Winners 2025

Awards Category: Manufacturing Award

Business Name: Fabriq

Presented to: Melanie Clark

// About the business

Fabriq is a family-owned and operated window furnishings business serving Bendigo and Central Victoria since 1995. They specialise in custom curtains, blinds, upholstery and interior décor, offering bespoke design, colour advice and personalised service to make decorating enjoyable. With quality craftsmanship and trusted expertise, Fabriq helps clients create beautiful, lasting spaces they’ll love for years to come.

// Links

https://fabriq.com.au/

https://bbea.com.au/

Bendigo Business Excellence Awards Winners 2025

Awards Category: Gastronomy Award

Business Name: Noble Bootleggers Distilling Co

Presented to:  Kristen and Daniel Lemu

// About the business

Noble Bootleggers Distilling Co is a boutique, family-run distillery and regenerative farm on the outskirts of Bendigo, Victoria. They craft unique small-batch spirits like gin, amaro and whisky with bold, innovative flavours and quality ingredients. Focused on sustainability, community and meaningful experiences, the Mum-and-Dad team loves connecting with customers at markets and events while creating memorable drinks that celebrate creativity and place.

// Links

https://www.noblebootleggers.com/

https://bbea.com.au/

Bendigo Business Excellence Awards Winners 2025

Awards Category: Events and Tourism Award

Business Name: Bendigo Jockey Club

Presented to: Paul Scullie

// About the business

Bendigo Jockey Club is a historic country racing club in Victoria, celebrated as the “Nursery of Champions” where many iconic racehorses began their careers. It hosts about 23 race meetings annually at Bendigo Racecourse, including major events like the Ladbrokes Bendigo Cup and Golden Mile. The club offers premier regional racing, hospitality, training facilities, community events and a vibrant race day experience.

// Links

https://country.racing.com/bendigo

https://bbea.com.au/

Bendigo Business Excellence Awards Winners 2025

Awards Category: Regional Women’s Business Award

Business Name: MacKenzie Quarters

Presented to: Rhianwen Seiter

// About the winner

Rhianwen Seiter is the co-owner of MacKenzie Quarters, a multi-venue hospitality precinct in Bendigo, and the winner of the 2025 Bendigo Business Excellence Awards – Regional Women’s Business Award. She leads a diverse operation spanning boutique group accommodation, Ms Batterham’s restaurant, MacKenzie Hall events, offsite catering, and Goldie Sandwich Society. Recognised for resilient, people-first leadership, Rhianwen has navigated rising costs and shifting dining trends with strategic clarity, adaptability, and deep community commitment.

// Links

https://www.mackenziequarters.com/

https://bbea.com.au/

Bendigo Business Excellence Awards Winners 2025

Awards Category: Emerging and Energised Award

Business Name: Making Cents of Money

Presented to: Bec Dillon-Hensby 

// About the business

Making Cents of Money is a Bendigo-based financial planning business that provides straight-up, no-jargon advice to help people take control of their money and live life on their own terms. Founded by experienced financial planner Bec Dillon-Hensby, the company crafts personalised plans covering budgeting, investing, superannuation and more—making smart money decisions simple, sustainable and tailored to clients’ goals.

// Links

https://makingcentsofmoney.com.au/

https://bbea.com.au/

Bendigo Business Excellence Awards Winners 2025

Awards Category: Technology and Digital Award

Business Name: AgriNous Pty Ltd

Presented to: Joel Rockes

// About the business

AgriNous is an Australian agritech business transforming the livestock industry with cloud-based digital solutions. They build fully integrated tools that connect stock agents, saleyard operators, buyers and sellers, replacing outdated paper systems to boost efficiency, traceability and compliance across the supply chain. Founded to streamline livestock transactions and workflows, AgriNous delivers real-time data, automation and modern technology for smarter livestock management.

// Links

https://agrinous.com.au/

https://bbea.com.au/

Bendigo Business Excellence Awards Winners 2025

Awards Category: Small and Succeeding Award

Business Name: White Deer

Presented to: Jacqui Naunton

// About the business

White Deer is a Bendigo-based brand and graphic design studio led by Jacqui Naunton that helps heart-led business owners craft strategic, standout visual brands and graphics. They offer both studio-done services and DIY-friendly courses focused on Canva and effective design that elevates business presence and sales. With a passion for design and business strategy, White Deer empowers clients to communicate their value clearly and confidently.

// Links

https://whitedeer.com.au/

https://bbea.com.au/

Remarkable Regional Business – Episode 40 (Part Two)

Guest: William Abbott

Business Name: Mount William Station

Website: https://www.mountwilliamstation.com/

In Part Two of this conversation, William Abbott goes deeper into the realities of building and operating a premium destination business in a regional setting. From navigating staff shortages during the great resignation, to building an international live in hospitality program, William shares the practical lessons that only come from being in the business every day. This episode explores leadership, staffing, legacy, financial discipline, and the small moments that define unforgettable guest experiences. At the heart of the conversation is a principle that applies to every industry. When things go wrong, those moments often become the greatest opportunity to show how good your business truly is.

Topics Covered:

/ Finding exceptional staff in a post pandemic world

William shares how opening Mount William Station during a global labour shortage forced him to think differently about staffing. From recruiting Australia wide to trusting instinct, values alignment, and long interview walks through the garden, this section unpacks how the right people shape the entire experience.

/ Building a live in international hospitality program

With a limited local talent pool, William explains how necessity led to creating staff accommodation and a six month live in program for international hospitality professionals. The result is elevated service standards, global experience, and a flexible workforce that can expand and contract with the seasons.

/ Turning the family home into a commercial business

Operating a hotel inside the home he grew up in brings moments of nostalgia, tension, and pride. William reflects on balancing memories with modern business realities while still keeping the homestead a place for family gatherings, celebrations, and shared history.

/ Honouring one hundred years of stories and heritage

From tennis tournaments and long lunches to wool shed line ups and station legends, William shares the stories that shaped Mount William Station. These stories now form part of the guest experience through farm tours and storytelling that connects visitors to the land and its past.

/ Life after corporate banking

After more than a decade in Shanghai working in corporate banking, William reflects on the shift to running his own business in a town of just a few hundred people. He speaks honestly about purpose, pressure, motivation, and why ownership feels fundamentally different to corporate life.

/ Why finance backgrounds often create resilient founders

William explains why understanding cash flow, banking language, and financial structure can be the difference between a good idea surviving or failing. He shares how these skills helped create runway, manage risk, and sustain growth.

/ Adapting the business model to real demand

From underestimating older travellers to the unexpected growth of weddings and events, William talks through how Mount William Station evolved by paying attention to demand and being willing to lean into opportunities without losing the core vision.

/ Creating moments guests remember years later

Rather than focusing only on service delivery, William explains how the goal is to create moments that stand out as highlights of a year. Small gestures, emotional awareness, and empowering staff to act without approval all play a role.

/ Lessons from unreasonable hospitality

Drawing on ideas from the bookUnreasonable Hospitality, William shares how empowering teams to fix mistakes generously can turn disappointment into loyalty. When something goes wrong, it is often the moment that defines the brand.

/ The hardest truth about business ownership

William closes with an honest reflection. Business is harder than you think. It takes longer, costs more, and demands resilience. But long term commitment, belief in the vision, and persistence through difficult seasons are what make longevity possible. This is Part Two of the conversation with William Abbott.

If you have not listened to Part One yet, go back and start there to hear the full story of Mount William Station and how it began.