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KITCHEN and Renovation Concepts Dubbo has come away with the highest honour - the Gold Rhino for Dubbo's best business - at the 20th annual Rhino Outstanding Business Awards.
A total of 21 category winners were honoured for their customer service, hard work, leadership and innovation during a spectacular evening on Friday at the Dubbo RSL Memorial Club.
Dubbo Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI) president Matt Wright said winning a Rhino award set a business apart.
"It's bragging rights for the next few years," Mr Wright said, adding the title of Rhino Award winner also boosted a business' reputation.
"There's hundreds and hundreds of businesses in Dubbo so you become one of the elite."
This year's winners were drawn from more than 200 entrants, with at least five finalists in each category.
"Numbers over the years have been pretty static but this year it has grown, because of the emphasis on the celebratory year," Mr Wright said.
The people's choice categories were hotly contested this year, with DCCI combing through thousands of nominations.
Awards went to the Dubbo RSL Health Club (People's Choice Award), Steve Gower of Gower's Carpet Cleaning (Dubbo's Favourite Tradie) and Eleanor Seaman of Inland Petroleum BP West (Service with a Smile).
With thousands of nominations in this year's people's choice awards, Mr Wright said the winners should feel especially proud.
"It was a mammoth task counting those because there were thousands, which is great," he said.
"It's the people speaking and I love that."
Local businessman Colin Honeysett is this year's addition to the Jean Emile Serisier Roll of Honour, which recognises outstanding contributions to Dubbo's business sector.
The 20th Rhinos had a sell-out crowd, with people still contacting the business chamber for ticket enquiries during the day on Friday.
"People are still genuinely interested in the awards, there was a real buzz and a sense of anticipation," Mr Wright said.