Page 6 - 2019-11-Rotary-on-the-Move-Newsletter-Zone-8

‘FIVE CLUBS’ ZEAL CREATES BUSINESS AWARDS’
Article by Tony Thomas, Rotary Central Melbourne

Sometimes it takes a push to get Rotary clubs co-operating. Three years ago, Jeff Taylor of Brighton North
Rotary approached Bayside City Council about an excellence-in-business awards program. Early this year
the council decided, “OK, providing you team with the other four bayside Rotary clubs and give us a good
plan”.
Brighton North and Brighton are in District 9800 and Hampton, Beaumaris and Sandringham clubs are in District
9810. They range from 25 to 100-plus members: all up, about 250.
They had plenty of their own projects on the go, but cooperate they did. The council gave the green light and provided
a handsome sponsorship. The clubs developed the 2019 Bayside Business Excellence Awards website, shared their
know-how with the council and found further sponsors.

Nick McDonald and Thea McCroary run Prestige Inhome Care, champion Bayside Business
in the Rotary-led 2019 Business Excellence Awards

On the 3 of October winners collected awards at a 250-seat sold-out formal dinner at the Sandringham Yacht Club.
rd
Talks are under way about annual awards.
Bayside Mayor Michael Heffernan says, “Council jumped at the chance to recognise local firms. The participation
level of 80-plus was incredible.”

Christine Lindsey of Hampton RC, who chaired the project, is a professional events strategist. “No-one was
territorial,” she says. “Brighton North ran the nominations; Brighton ran sponsorships and judging, and Hampton
took on overall management, website and legals. Bayside council ran the gala dinner and a Telstra Business Awards
judge helped coordinate judging.”

Many Australian cities run business awards but few involve Rotary. Brighton North originally had a small
“Vocational Excellence Award” but it ran out of steam. Jeff Taylor helped tie the award to the council’s thriving
Business Network. “We loved to see the surprise, joy and pride of the winners,” Jeff says.
Nick McDonald (CEO) and Thea McCroary (GM Sales and Marketing) are the brother and sister team that took
Bayside’s champion business Prestige Inhome Care to an astounding 550 staff. Its services help people live
independently at home. Nick says, “The Rotary awards forced us to think strategically about managing our fast
growth.” Thea says, “Government support for in-home care constantly evolves and Rotary is a good way to get
information out to the community.”
Awards chair Christine says, “We worked together really well. I hope our project is an inspiration to Rotary clubs.”

Rotary on the Move November 2019 Page 6