Clubs of Marlborough takes top honours

SCOTT HAMMOND

Clubs champs: Clubs of Marlborough staff and supporters celebrate as they are announced Supreme Award winners at the business excellence awards. (Margaret McLauchlin in front)

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The home team stole the show at the Marlborough Chamber of Commerce Business Excellence Awards, taking four awards including the Supreme Award at the dinner on Friday.

Clubs of Marlborough won the Medium to Large Business Award, the Innovation Award and shared the Environment Award with Wai-Natur Naturist Park on its way to the top commendation at the formal dinner downstairs at the Marlborough Convention Centre.

Clubs chief executive Lee Davis said without the passion and support of Marlborough people the clubs would not be successful and it would not have won the Supreme Award.

"I'm warm and fuzzy, standing here proud in my Clubs of Marlborough blazer, looking down at my belt buckle which says `Boss', and my socks, they also say `Boss', which means nothing of course, because I'm a conduit.

"It's a blend of governance and a blend of management."

The clubs staff were the ones who made the organisation great and made it better each day, he said.

About 180 people were at the dinner and 13th chamber celebration of Marlborough businesses. McCarthy Law director Caroline McCarthy, who won the Emerging Business Award, believed she was hard done by not to take out the Environment Award as her husband "was wearing his wedding suit".

Marlborough Farmers' Market chairman Chris Fortune joked that he was worried about garnering a pity award from the judges.

"I thought we might get the try-hard award because we've entered four times.

"It's a great way to check the processes of the organisation. We've been here for 10 years and we expect to be here for another 20."

Joint winner of the Environment award Wai-Natur Naturist Park owner Kay Hannam said it must be difficult to choose a winner, but her business was philosophically well placed to be environmentally friendly.

"We have to remember that the naturist's philosophy is based on respect," she said.

"Respect for ourselves, respect for each other and respect for the environment."

The judging panel for the awards was LSH Business Services managing director Lisa Johnston, Saint Clair Family Estate chief financial officer Nikki de Reeper and Ormond Nurseries general manager Ben Wickham.

THE WINNERS

Marlborough Chamber of Commerce Business Excellence Awards

The Emerging Business Award (operating for less than two years): McCarthy Law Powerhouse of New Zealand Business Award (turnover up to $500,000): Runner-up: Wai-Natur Naturist Park, Winner: Marlborough Farmers' Market Medium to Large Business Award (turnover over $500,000 to $1.5m, and in excess of $1.5m): Clubs of Marlborough Customer Service Award: Runner-up: Chateau Marlborough, Winner: Sustain Hair & Well Being Spa Investing in People and Skills Award: Winner: Specsavers Optometrists Blenheim Environment Award: Joint winners: Clubs of Marlborough and Wai-Natur Naturist Park Innovation Award: Clubs of Marlborough Supreme Award: Third: Marlborough Farmers' Market, Runner-up: McCarthy Law, Winner: Clubs of Marlborough

- The Marlborough Express

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