LAST night, the spotlight was firmly on Bass Coast’s business community, as the 2025 Bass Coast Business Awards brought together 180 business owners, operators, and supporters at Silverwater Resort in San Remo.
The night was a celebration of the innovation, resilience and drive that power our local economy, from first-time nominees to long-standing local champions.
This year, almost 2000 People’s Choice votes were cast across seven categories, recognising 149 different businesses. From family-run cafés to creative start-ups and trusted trades, the results spoke volumes: Bass Coast is proud of its business community.
The judged categories were equally strong, attracting 46 entries across industries such as tourism, construction, hospitality, events, home-based ventures and more. Judges commended businesses not just for their performance, but also for their care for customers, community, and sustainability.
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.
Bass Coast Mayor, Cr Rochelle Halstead, said the awards revealed the stories and personalities that shape Bass Coast’s business communities.
“Tonight we celebrated the incredible talent and passion that makes Bass Coast such a fantastic place to do business. Every story we’ve heard shows what’s possible when hard work meets heart.” Cr Halstead said.
“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 coveted Business of the Year award went to The Hills Are Alive Group (Ocean Sounds 2025), recognised by the judging panel for their strong vision, impressive results and commitment to innovation. Judges praised their highly detailed submission, backed by clear data and sustainability efforts, and their ability to deliver a major event with a small but dedicated team.
Comment from the judges:
The Hills Are Alive Group impressed with a highly detailed submission backed by strong statistics. They offered valuable insights into visitor demographics, highlighted impactful sustainability efforts, and presented a clear, forward-looking vision. With a small but dedicated team, they delivered a major event while demonstrating deep knowledge of their audience and markets.
Congratulations to the full list of winners and runners-up:
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
