The inaugural Small Business Excellence Apprentice Awards were presented by the Rotary Club of Ocean Grove recently.
Rotarian and vocational chairperson Martin Geerings said that for the past six years, the club had sponsored an apprentice at the Gordon Institute, but the committee thought it was time to introduce some events that were more relevant to the area.
Two new awards were born – Small Business Excellence and Apprentice of the Year, each carrying a prize of $500 to the winners.
The process called for nominations and the winners were selection by the vocational committee.
Michael Beshara, from Christian Bros Buslines, won the Apprentice of the Year and Smudge’s Shoes won the Small Business Excellence award.
Ocean Grove Business Association president Ty Simons presented the award to Terry Mudge of Mudge’s Shoes. The Mudge family run three stores, in Ocean Grove, Geelong West and Colac. Rotary president Judy Greer presented Mr Mudge with a certificate and a cheque for $500.
Mr Mudge thanked Rotary Ocean Grove for its vision in starting the award and spoke about the hard work involved for small business in competing with the larger chain stores.
Michael Beshara was nominated by Christian Bros Buslines’ Angus Christian. Mr Beshara is a mature-aged first-year mechanical apprentice. Mr Geerings said Mr Beshara was an ideal candidate for the award.
“Michael displays lots of passion for doing something automotive and he has been building cars with mates over a number of years,” he said.
“He is highly considered by his workmates and company management.”
Mr Beshara and his wife Carly were expecting their first child any day and have just moved into their new home. He thanked Rotary for allowing him to become the first recipient of the award.
