Dungog Shire is poised to have a huge presence in the 2024 Hunter Region Business Excellence Awards.
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Among those that have made it to the finals on Friday, May 24 are Children's towel business Spewy, Earth and Elm Studio and Wellness Services, Dungog Trading Post and the Dungog and District Chamber of Commerce.
Chamber of Commerce president and owner of the Dungog Trading Post Therese McIntyre said that it's very exciting to see Dungog represented so strongly at these awards.
"It's very exciting, it took us all by surprise," she said.
Ms McIntyre has been nominated for awards in three categories, not-for-profit organisations for the Chamber of Commerce, Hospitality and Tourism, and Women in Business for her work at the Dungog Trading Post.
She sees the chamber's strength as its longevity and connection to the Dungog community.
"The chamber has been around for 20 years. It's faced challenges, global financial ups and downs, COVID. We've been able to withstand that through the 20 years," she said.
"The positives are the community spirit, the willingness of businesses to be a part of the chamber so it has really good support within Dungog. They see value in it and that's fantastic."
Ms McIntyre is relatively new to her role as president, picking it up in October, 2023.
Despite this she's proud to have been at the helm of the chamber for this achievement.
"It feels like quite an honour really," she said.
"We are a small fish in a big pond when you think about it, it's the Hunter business awards. It really is mind blowing to be recognised. We really thought we had no chance to be honest."
Talking about her own nominations for Hunter Business Woman of the Year, and Hospitality and Tourism Ms McIntyre said that she's stoked to have made it to the finalists.
She attributes her nomination to the hard work she puts into her role as owner of the Dungog Trading Post as well as her history in business.
"It's fantastic to be recognised for what I've created and to be acknowledged is just amazing. It means that it really is a good place for tourists to come, it's not just what I think," Ms McIntyre said.
Having only started the Dungog Trading Post in 2022, to be recognised for her efforts just two years into operations has only reinforced Ms McIntyre's belief in herself.
"The belief that I had in myself and what I can do is also recognised by others," she said.
The Gala Dinner for the Hunter Regional Business Excellence Awards is set to be held on Friday, May 24 at Ben Ean, Pokolbin. For more information visit the Hunter Valley Hub's website.
