In a glittering awards ceremony on Friday evening at the Dubbo Regional Theatre and Convention Centre, 21 Silver Rhino category winners were announced in the Orana Mutual 2013 Rhino Outstanding Business Awards.

Australian actor and TV presenter Daniel McPherson compered the evening while the night was a celebration of business people who have had the courage to make their dreams a reality. 

Chamber president Andrew Toole said there was tough competition for all the awards, with Earlyrise Baking Company taking home Silver Rhinos for Employer of Choice and Excellence in Products and Services.

The family-owned and operated baking company best known in the Dubbo region for their award-winning Village Premium Pies now sells a range of bakery products to an area covering more than 600km around Dubbo.

The Stevenson family has been named bakers of Australia’s best pies three times in the past 10 years and have been developing the busienss in response to their customers’ needs since grandfather Aussie Stevenson first become a baker in 1918 and delivered fresh-baked goods by horse and cart.

Mr Toole said the company attributes its success to consistent commitment to hard work - a trait that begins with Earlyrise’s executive team and filters down through to management, supervisors and all departmental staff.

“It is great to see a locally-owned, family-operated business with such a proud history doing so well and being recognised locally for their success,” Mr Toole said.

“Special mention should also go to Maverick Biosciences who scored the top marks for an individual entry in the awards and took home the Silver Rhinos for Excellence in Innovation and Excellence in Export.

“Maverick Biosciences exports to 15 countries and are one of Dubbo’s quiet achievers. They are a great example of a business finding a niche market and of people being based in Dubbo but operating on a global scale.”

The winner of the new award for Young Entrepreneur of the Year was fashion designer Camilla Gibson of Camilla Jayne, while Sharon Portelli of ESP Accounting was the inaugural winner of the Silver Rhino for Business Leader of the Year.

The inaugural Young Executive of the Year Award was presented to Kathryn Taylor of Skillset. 

These three winners will be automatically entered into the 2014 Central West Business Awards.

Mr Toole said that both Earlyrise and Frank Cross were well-deserved recipients of the night’s highest accolades.

“For more than 30 years, Frank Cross worked alongside his team every day at Frank Cross Tyres and he established a reputation that is the envy of many small business operators,” he said. 

Frank established his original business in North Dubbo and was so successful he extended it into Gilgandra, Wellington, Warren, Coonamble and Narromine.

With his list of awards including a place in the top 500 NSW privately owned businesses in 1998 and awards from the Motor Traders Association in 2001 and 2003, Frank’s business success and his support for the community have been well regarded throughout the region.

A tireless supporter of community events and local charities, Frank’s love of motor racing has also seen him contribute much of his time, money and efforts into the redevelopment of Morris Park Speedway in Dubbo. 

Since selling Frank Cross Tyres, he has continued to build the speedway as a popular place for racing enthusiasts, adding another dimension to the local tourism market.

Mr Toole said Frank Cross would join the roll of honour of Dubbo’s most outstanding business people. His name has been added to a long list of impressive elder statesmen who have made significant contributions to the local business community and helped Dubbo grow, including Kevin Saul, David Pankhurst, John Walkom, Barry Brebner, Gail Eckford, Andrew Boog, Grace Aubusson, Tony McGrane, Dr Joe Canalese, Bob Berry, Howard Laughton, George Cooper, Wally Flynn, Roger Fletcher, Frank Brennan, Peter Milling and Joe Snare.