An initiative of the Southbank and Albert Park Rotary Clubs, and supported by the Port Phillip Council, these awards are in their inaugural year. The awards formally recognise and encourage local business owners for the role they play in driving the economy.

The awards are based on the highly successful model adopted by Rotary and run throughout Victoria.

Award categories include:

• Young Entrepreneur Award
• Excellence in Business Innovation
• Excellence in Customer Service Planning
• Excellence in Marketing
• Excellence in Business Planning
• Excellence in Employment Practise
• Excellence in Contribution tot eh community
• Best of Business Excellence in the City of Port Phillip

Applicants for the Port Phillip Business Excellence Awards are required to submit a mini business plan, which will then be judged by a panel. Prizes range from $500 to $1000, and local artists have also been invited to design an artefact to accompany the winning awards.

Submissions for the awards close on August 15^th, and will culminate in a Gala Award Evening, being held at the Carlton Crest Hotel on Thursday 4^th September at 7pm.