Business excellence in a year like no other — all the winners from the 2020 Great Southern Business Awards

Handasyde’s has emerged from a period of unprecedented challenges as the Great Southern business of the year. The coronavirus crisis presented serious problems for fruit and vegetable growers, who were left without their traditional workforce of travelling seasonal workers. At the height of COVID-19 restrictions, Handasyde’s continued to serve takeaways from its cafe, supported by some loyal customers. On Saturday night, the Albany Chamber of Commerce and Industry hosted the 2020 Great Southern Business Awards at the Albany Entertainment Centre. Handasyde’s was named the region’s best tourism business and went on to receive the night’s top honour. “It has been really tough,” owner Neil Handasyde said. “We wanted to help our customers and they wanted to help us through that COVID-19 period. “The staff and the team are totally important to any business, and ours have really pushed on with making things happen on the farm and in the cafe. “They have completely developed and learned new skills.” Mel Homewood from The Alkaline Cafe was named business leader of the year, while Menang artist Kiya Watt claimed the title of young business person of the year. GREAT SOUTHERN BUSINESS AWARDS Business start up and/or innovation: Market Grill Home based business: Waxiwraps Business with 0-4 employees: Keston Economics Business with 5-10 employees: Bay Merchants Business with 11-plus employees: TerryWhite Chemmart Chester Pass Albany Community service: Worklink WA People’s choice award: Xesiv Digital Environment & Sustainability business: The Alkaline Cafe Tourism business: Handasyde Strawberries Indigenous business: Kiya Watt Agri-food & beverage value add: Porongurup Pure Indigenous employer of the year: Impact Services Employee of the year: Maria Reynolds from Head to Tail Pets Young business person of the year: Kiya Watt Business leader of the year: Mel Homewood from The Alkaline Cafe Business of the year: Handasyde Strawberries