Nominations for this year’s Tenterfield Business and Tourism Excellence Awards close this Monday, July 31, and organiser Caitlin Reid said the number of nominations so far are on par with those of previous years but now is the time to act.
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There’s a new category this year entitled the Disability, Inclusion and Access Award, and it’s not necessarily about having a wheelchair ramp at the door.
The award is named after the special purpose committee staffed by council representatives, councillors and members of the community to pursue related items on council’s action plan and to address specific issues, as well as to encourage inclusion and access as its name suggests. One of those community members is Ben Roberts, who will be judging nominations for the award.
Dianne Clayton chairs the committee and is keen to see local businesses doing the right thing to be acknowledged on the night. She concedes that with many shops in the central business district it’s nigh on impossible to provide permanent wheelchair access, nor to accommodate space throughout a store for wheelchairs to move through.
“With the size of some of the shops, you wouldn’t be able to stock anything,” she said.
“But there are other ways to provide accessibility.”
Ms Clayton said some businesses can provide access at other entrances, some provide a home delivery service, some have removable ramps.
“What’s important is that, where possible, business are making an effort.”
With the awards now into their third year, a Hall of Fame has been created for those managing to win their category three years in a row. Currently the hall’s sole member is the Oracles of the Bush as Event of the Year.
Voting is also closing soon for the People’s Choice award where people can vote for anywhere they’ve received great service. Votes can be made online, by texting the business name to 0427 647 671 or by dropping the vote into the box at the Visitor Information Centre.
All winners will be announced on September 14.