Remarkable Regional Business

Bendigo Business Excellence Awards Winners 2025 Awards Category: Health and Care Award Business Name: 3D Physiotherapy Health Group Presented to: Julie Sheahan // About the business 3D Physio Health Group is a purpose-driven physiotherapy and wellness clinic in Bendigo and Boort that goes beyond pain relief to help people move better, recover faster and live stronger. Their personalised care uncovers root causes, builds strength, and boosts confidence through evidence-based treatment, exercise programs and rehabilitation. With friendly physios and tailored plans, they support injury recovery, pain management and long-term health for every body. // Links https://www.3dphysio.com.au/ https://bbea.com.au/

Bendigo Business Excellence Awards Winner 2025 Awards Category: Young and Professional Award Business Name: Beck Legal Presented to: Shaun Stephenson // About the winner Shaun Stephenson is a senior associate at Beck Legal in Bendigo and the 2025 Bendigo Business Excellence Awards Young and Professional Award winner. A commercial lawyer specialising in mergers, acquisitions and succession planning, Sean is recognised not only for professional excellence but for his deep commitment to mentoring, education and community leadership—reflecting Bendigo’s culture of developing talented young professionals who give back and help others thrive. // Links https://becklegal.com.au/asset-protection/meet-our-team-shaun-stephenson/ https://bbea.com.au/

Bendigo Business Excellence Awards Winners 2025 Awards Category: Customer Focussed Award Business Name: A L Parker Electrical Presented to: Adam Parker // About the business Al Parker Electrical is a local, award-winning family-run electrical services business based in Bendigo, Victoria. Founded by qualified A-Grade electrician Adam Parker, the team delivers reliable, safe and high-quality electrical solutions for homes, businesses, new builds and renovations across Bendigo and surrounds. They’re known for clear communication, professional workmanship and dependable service—from everyday repairs to solar, EV chargers and full installations. // Links https://www.alparkerelectrical.com.au/ https://bbea.com.au/

Bendigo Business Excellence Awards Winners 2025 Awards Category: Gastronomy Award Business Name: Noble Bootleggers Distilling Co Presented to: Kristen and Daniel Lemu // About the business Noble Bootleggers Distilling Co is a boutique, family-run distillery and regenerative farm on the outskirts of Bendigo, Victoria. They craft unique small-batch spirits like gin, amaro and whisky with bold, innovative flavours and quality ingredients. Focused on sustainability, community and meaningful experiences, the Mum-and-Dad team loves connecting with customers at markets and events while creating memorable drinks that celebrate creativity and place. // Links https://www.noblebootleggers.com/ https://bbea.com.au/

Bendigo Business Excellence Awards Winners 2025 Awards Category: Regional Women’s Business Award Business Name: MacKenzie Quarters Presented to: Rhianwen Seiter // About the winner Rhianwen Seiter is the co-owner of MacKenzie Quarters, a multi-venue hospitality precinct in Bendigo, and the winner of the 2025 Bendigo Business Excellence Awards – Regional Women’s Business Award. She leads a diverse operation spanning boutique group accommodation, Ms Batterham’s restaurant, MacKenzie Hall events, offsite catering, and Goldie Sandwich Society. Recognised for resilient, people-first leadership, Rhianwen has navigated rising costs and shifting dining trends with strategic clarity, adaptability, and deep community commitment. // Links https://www.mackenziequarters.com/ https://bbea.com.au/

Bendigo Business Excellence Awards Winners 2025 Awards Category: Technology and Digital Award Business Name: AgriNous Pty Ltd Presented to: Joel Rockes // About the business AgriNous is an Australian agritech business transforming the livestock industry with cloud-based digital solutions. They build fully integrated tools that connect stock agents, saleyard operators, buyers and sellers, replacing outdated paper systems to boost efficiency, traceability and compliance across the supply chain. Founded to streamline livestock transactions and workflows, AgriNous delivers real-time data, automation and modern technology for smarter livestock management. // Links https://agrinous.com.au/ https://bbea.com.au/

Remarkable Regional Business – Episode 40 (Part Two) Guest: William Abbott Business Name: Mount William Station Website: https://www.mountwilliamstation.com/ In Part Two of this conversation, William Abbott goes deeper into the realities of building and operating a premium destination business in a regional setting. From navigating staff shortages during the great resignation, to building an international live in hospitality program, William shares the practical lessons that only come from being in the business every day. This episode explores leadership, staffing, legacy, financial discipline, and the small moments that define unforgettable guest experiences. At the heart of the conversation is a principle that applies to every industry. When things go wrong, those moments often become the greatest opportunity to show how good your business truly is. Topics Covered: / Finding exceptional staff in a post pandemic world William shares how opening Mount William Station during a global labour shortage forced him to think differently about staffing. From recruiting Australia wide to trusting instinct, values alignment, and long interview walks through the garden, this section unpacks how the right people shape the entire experience. / Building a live in international hospitality program With a limited local talent pool, William explains how necessity led to creating staff accommodation and a six month live in program for international hospitality professionals. The result is elevated service standards, global experience, and a flexible workforce that can expand and contract with the seasons. / Turning the family home into a commercial business Operating a hotel inside the home he grew up in brings moments of nostalgia, tension, and pride. William reflects on balancing memories with modern business realities while still keeping the homestead a place for family gatherings, celebrations, and shared history. / Honouring one hundred years of stories and heritage From tennis tournaments and long lunches to wool shed line ups and station legends, William shares the stories that shaped Mount William Station. These stories now form part of the guest experience through farm tours and storytelling that connects visitors to the land and its past. / Life after corporate banking After more than a decade in Shanghai working in corporate banking, William reflects on the shift to running his own business in a town of just a few hundred people. He speaks honestly about purpose, pressure, motivation, and why ownership feels fundamentally different to corporate life. / Why finance backgrounds often create resilient founders William explains why understanding cash flow, banking language, and financial structure can be the difference between a good idea surviving or failing. He shares how these skills helped create runway, manage risk, and sustain growth. / Adapting the business model to real demand From underestimating older travellers to the unexpected growth of weddings and events, William talks through how Mount William Station evolved by paying attention to demand and being willing to lean into opportunities without losing the core vision. / Creating moments guests remember years later Rather than focusing only on service delivery, William explains how the goal is to create moments that stand out as highlights of a year. Small gestures, emotional awareness, and empowering staff to act without approval all play a role. / Lessons from unreasonable hospitality Drawing on ideas from the bookUnreasonable Hospitality, William shares how empowering teams to fix mistakes generously can turn disappointment into loyalty. When something goes wrong, it is often the moment that defines the brand. / The hardest truth about business ownership William closes with an honest reflection. Business is harder than you think. It takes longer, costs more, and demands resilience. But long term commitment, belief in the vision, and per