2019 Monash Business Awards winners announced
The much anticipated Annual Gala Dinner for the announcement of this year’s Monash Business Awards was held on Friday 26 July at Huntingdale Golf Course.
After a year of popular business lunches incorporating key note speakers and the announcement of Award nominees, the dinner attracted local business and community representatives for a night of celebration and anticipation.
Joining the crowds on the night, Monash Mayor Shane McCluskey was keen to congratulate all the winners, and in particular the 2019 Monash Business of the Year, Grants of Australia.
“It is so rewarding to see a family owned, long-time local business recognised for their innovation and success in such a public way,” Cr McCluskey said.
Grants of Australia was established over 30 years ago when founders, Michael and Michelle Aronson, noticed their daughter Tammy, who was around 4 or 5 at the time, swallowing her toothpaste. Concerned about the amount of fluoride and chemicals she may be ingesting, and unable to source a pleasant tasting fluoride-free alternative for the family, they set out to create their own.
At the time the Aronson’s were selling cosmetics and later health food products at the South Melbourne market, and in 1983 established ‘Prahran Health Foods’ retail shop. Now, with Tammy as General Manager, Grants of Australia is known for producing affordable, natural products for the next generation of health conscious families, and their foundational toothpaste product has pride of place amongst mainstream brands.
Export demand has grown steadily in line with increasing desire for natural and Australian made products, and Grants now have markets in USA, China, Canada, Turkey, New Zealand, Malaysia, Hong Kong, Thailand and Singapore.
As a small, family-run business, Grants also believe it’s important to give back to their community and support those in need. Each year they donate toothpaste to organisations that support people in our community who wouldn’t otherwise have access to a basic commodity like toothpaste. In 2018, Grants donated just over 6,000 tubes of toothpaste and 7,500 toothpaste sachets through various community support agencies.
Also celebrated on the night were the following category award winners:
Council’s Economic Development team congratulates all the nominees recognised throughout the year for their outstanding performance, as well as the category and overall Monash Business Awards winners for their success.
If you know of a local business performing at the best in their field, or if your business is worthy of recognition, you can nominate at: www.monashbusinessawards.com.au
Pictured: L to R: Grants of Australia representatives, Melissa Hodge (left) and Bianca Dakin-Davies (centre) and Monash Mayor Shane McCluskey.