THE spotlight was firmly on the best of Bass Coast business for the 2025 Bass Coast Business Awards at the Silverwater Resort in San Remo on Friday night, which brought together 180 business owners, operators and supporters from across the region.
Almost 2000 people’s choice votes were cast across seven categories recognising 149 different business champions, all helping to power the local economy, from first-time nominees to long-standing and well-recognised local businesses.
The results spoke for themselves with family-run cafés, creative start-ups and trusted trades all showing just how proud Bass Coast is of its local business community.
The judged categories attracted 46 entries across many sectors, including tourism, events, home-based ventures, hospitality, construction, professional and creative services, and health and well-being.
Judges commended local businesses not just for their performance in the awards but for the care given to customers, community, and sustainability all year round.
A highlight of the night was The Hills Are Alive Group being inducted into the prestigious Hall of Fame after winning the Event Excellence category three years in a row, recognising their consistency, quality and commitment in raising the bar for regional events.
Bass Coast Mayor Cr Rochelle Halstead said the awards revealed the stories and personalities that have shaped Bass Coast business communities.
“Tonight, we celebrate the incredible talent and passion that makes Bass Coast such a fantastic place to do business,” said Mayor Cr Halstead.
“Every story we’ve heard shows what’s possible when hard work meets heart.
“My hope is that every business, big or small, feels encouraged to share their story next year, because events like these not only celebrate achievement they lift our whole business community.”
The Hills Are Alive Group won the coveted Business of the Year award for Ocean Sounds 2025 recognised by the judging panel for their strong vision, impressive results and commitment to innovation.
The judging panel consisting of Chris Francis (Sustainability Victoria), Jennifer Carroll (Go To Solutions), Kim Storey (Destination Phillip Island), Melissa Cashman (Phillip Island Nature Parks), Nicole Harman (Harman Wines), Rebecca Massaro (Interchange Gippsland) and Terry Robinson (Destination Gippsland) praised The Hills Are Alive Group for a highly detailed submission backed by clear data and sustainability efforts and their ability to deliver a major event with a small but dedicated team.
The judges said The Hills Are Alive Group impressed with a highly detailed submission backed by strong statistics, valuable insights into visitor demographics, impactful sustainability efforts, and a clear, forward-looking vision.
Winners: Judged Awards
Access, Equity and Inclusion: Empowered Lactation Consulting
Business Innovation: Empowered Lactation Consulting
Environmental Sustainability: Phillip Island Tenpin Bowling & Entertainment Centre
Event Excellence: Ocean Sounds 2025 (The Hills Are Alive Group)
Marketing and Communications: Coast to Coast Conveyancing
New Business: Phillip Island Sauna
Results 2025 Bass Coast Business Awards: Judged Awards
Access, Equity and Inclusion (sponsored by Phillip Island RSL)
Empowered Lactation Consulting (Winner)
Southcoast Psychology (Runner Up)
Phillip Island Tenpin Bowling & Entertainment Centre (Finalist)
Business Innovation (sponsored by NBN Local Gippsland)
Empowered Lactation Consulting (Winner)
Inverloch Bike Hire (Runner Up)
Trent Allen Building Pty Ltd (Finalist)
Environmental Sustainability (sponsored by Harman Wines)
Phillip Island Tenpin Bowling & Entertainment Centre (Winner)
San Remo Fishermen’s Co-op (Runner Up)
Hycon Homes Pty Ltd (Finalist)
Event Excellence (sponsored by Watersure)
Ocean Sounds 2025 The Hills Are Alive Group (Winner & Hall of Fame)
Inverloch Running Festival (Runner Up)
Bass Coast Yoga Festival (Finalist)
Marketing and Communications (sponsored by Destination Phillip Island)
Coast to Coast Conveyancing (Winner)
Phillip Island Tenpin Bowling & Entertainment Centre (Runner Up)
Made. By Bronte (Finalist)
New Business (sponsored by Phillip Island Business Network)
Phillip Island Sauna (Winner)
Mates Gin Distillery Pty Ltd (Runner Up)
Made. By Bronte (Finalist)
People’s Choice Awards
Accommodation and Tourism Attraction (sponsored by Telstra)
Anchor Belle Holiday Park (Winner)
Wildlife Coast Cruises (Runner Up)
Maru Koala and Animal Park (Finalist)
Food and Beverage (sponsored by Telstra)
Harman Wines (Winner)
Hotel Phillip Island (Runner Up)
Beachside Bakehouse (Finalist)
Hair and Beauty (sponsored by Dead4eva Designs)
Urban Hair (Winner)
Studio 13 (Runner Up)
H-Bombs Barbershop (Finalist)
Health and Lifestyle (sponsored by Interchange Gippsland)
Phillip Island Sauna (Winner)
Bass Coast Support Work Services (Runner Up)
Voyage Fitness Wonthaggi (Finalist)
Online, Mobile and Home-Based Business (sponsored by Mac&Ernie)
Foodies on Phillip Island (Winner)
Made. By Bronte (Runner Up)
Empowered Lactation Consulting (Finalist)
Retail and Services (sponsored by Maru Koala and Animal Park)
Dalyston General Store (Winner)
Bass Coast Boat & Caravan Storage (Runner Up)
San Remo Butchers (Finalist)
Trade (sponsored by Bass Coast Shire Council)
McKenzie Motors and Machinery (Winner)
ESI Solutions Pty Ltd (Runner Up)
Bass Coast Carpentry & Maintenance (Finalist)
