A three-person judging panel consisting mayor Peter Petty, Business Development Manager Northern Inland for NSW Trade and Investment Peter Sniekers and Economic Development Officer for Southern Downs Regional Council Dianne Anstee spent Monday deliberating over each nominee.

Tenterfield Shire Council’s Tourism Officer Caitlin Reid has helped get the event off the ground and said she and everyone else were really pleased by the process to date.

“We are really happy with the results – there have been a few big learning curves and some processes have been a little clunky,” Ms Reid said.

There are 29 different businesses that have submitted 44 separate nominations.

“The 44 nominations are spread across all categories – we really wanted to recognise their achievements as lots of businesses are doing really good things.”

One element that could be curtailed for next year’s event is nominations coming from outside the businesses themselves.

“I think we will get rid of nominating others – it has caused some confusion,” she said.

Getting the event up and running has been an exhaustive process and Ms Reid said they’ve been pleasantly surprised by the local support.

“It will be a celebration of everyone – not just the winners.”

Dianne Anstee from Southern Downs Regional Council cast her eye over the nominees and said she was pleased to see so many businesses throw their hat in for consideration.

“We’ve been working collaboratively with Tenterfield Shire Council since I got involved and Harry Bolton asked me to help,” she said.

“I’m surprised by the number especially for an inaugural event and I was pleasantly surprised by some of the nominations and the diversity of the businesses.”

The awards dinner has been earmarked for Thursday, August 21.