awardsThere we were, just a few days ago, patting ourselves on the back for celebrating our first anniversary. As with most birthdays, our thoughts soon turned to contemplating the hopefully long and inspiring journey ahead of us, what we’d like our future to look like and what we’d like to achieve when we discover that someone else also wanted to join in our celebrations and congratulate us. We find out that we’ve received a surprise nomination, from an anonymous member of the public, for the Environmental Business Award in the annual City of Sydney Business Awards 2010. Colour us surprised – and very happy!

The awards program, for Small to Medium Sized Enterprises (SMEs), is designed to embrace the wide range of outstanding businesses operating in the Sydney City’s Local Government Area and to celebrate the contribution these businesses and business people make to the community, whilst also acknowledging the Council’s vision for the future of a Green, Global and Connected City.

City of Sydney Business Awards 2010 goes green

The sustainable Sydney theme runs deep in this year the awards – the entire program will be carbon managed by Carbon Planet who will neutralise the event’s carbon footprint through the purchase of certified carbon credits. Emission levels have been based on a complete audit of last year’s awards, which produced 33 tonnes. In addition, the electricity used at the awards dinner at Westin Sydney, to be held in September, will be powered with accredited 100% GreenPower from EnergyAustralia.

"Our City of Villages needs strong and diverse businesses to support economic growth, employment and thriving local communities. These awards also acknowledge business leadership in sustainability, fair trade and social responsibility, and compliment our plan for a Sustainable Sydney 2030." ... Clover Moore

Recognition of the achievements of businesses and individuals alike on a yearly basis is very important in order to motivate and inspire others to outperform. This year, the Environmental Business category is filled with inspiring and growing green businesses, some of which are part of the Green Times directory, as well as friends and contributors to Green Times.

These include:award nominee

Vote to win $1500 cash

As you can tell we are extremely excited and proud to have received a public nomination for the Environmental Business category and are thrilled to be one of the nominees for this highly regarded award. The first round of voting is basically a popularity contest, so please vote (for us) and share our good news with everyone you can! As an added incentive – let everyone know that voters themselves can win $1500 in a cash prize draw just for voting!

The second stage involves a more stringent judging process based on several criteria including sustainability policies, industry innovation, community participation and leadership, as well as business results and planning. The finalists and winners receive prize packages designed to help businesses grow, such as marketing assistance, business training and coaching to name but a few. But mostly the reward is recognition and a collective pat on the back – just what we all need now and then.


For more information about the awards, go to the City of Sydney Business Awards website.


To vote for Green Times go to http://www.sydneybusinessawards.com.au/sba/vote/%28id%29/733 or SMS “GREEN” to 0447 447 070 (standard text charges apply when voting by SMS).