The dental practice first picked up the business award for Excellence in Small Business (under 20 employees) before winning the overall award at the 2017 Evolution Mining Boscars.

Principal dentist Dr Daniel Demosthenous described the win as surreal.

Saying he was not expecting the honour, Dr Demosthenous said, “It’s a nice feeling to be part of a team which punches above its weight.” 

Forbes Family Dentists opened in 2015 after a lengthy project to refurbish the building at the corner of Rankin and Templar streets for its office and clinic.

The winners of categories aligned to NSW Business Chamber awards can progress to the 2018 Western NSW Business Awards.

Special guests at last Friday night’s gala dinner included Jason Greive representing major sponsor Evolution Mining, Member for Riverina Michael McCormack, Member for Orange Philip Donato and Forbes Mayor Graeme Miller.

All paid tribute to Forbes Business Chamber for an outstanding evening and congratulated local businesses on their year-round efforts.

Guest speaker Neil Druce from Junee Licorice and Chocolate Factory shared his story of starting what is now a significant tourism operation with $12,000, one employee and a derelict building.

“I wouldn’t recommend it,” he quipped of his start.

Mr Druce described himself as a farm boy who started with a dream of value-adding to his farm’s wheat production and “doing tourism”.

Learning licorice was about 30 per cent wheat, he focussed on that. He had a five-week crash course in making it.

The official opening he thought might attract 100 people drew an estimated 6000 … and continues to attract more than 200 visitors a day to Junee. 

The rest, as they say, is history. He now employs 95 people including his three children.

Proudly sponsored by Agriwest CRT

Bradley Robertson, John Davis Motors

Bradley is a fast learner and has become an exceptional employee, particular with his work and taking pride in his workmanship. Bradley’s enthusiasm assists John Davis Motors to provide high quality service to their customers. 

Highly commended: Brooke Winnerbom, HE Silos

Brooke is the smiling face behind the telephone, email or your face to face request. Brooke is a highly valued member of the team who demonstrates pride in her work.

Proudly sponsored by Forbes Services Memorial Club

Craig Dwyer, John Davis Motors

We consider ourselves very fortunate to employ Craig Dwyer as manager at John Davis Motors, Forbes. 

Craig’s passion benefits both our business and our customers’ experience, he will spare no effort to provide excellent customer service.  

Proudly sponsored by Forbes Shire Council

Larry Storm, HE Silos 

Larry Storm is the Operations Manager at HE Silos Forbes, a position he has held for just over two years. During his tenure, Larry has played an integral part in the company’s substantial growth.

Larry’s exemplary planning and control of all departments has been evident by the continued company growth and customer satisfaction which culminated in HE Silos Forbes being awarded 2016 NSW Business of the Year.

Sponsored by Westpac

News on Rankin

At News On Rankin we pride ourselves on offering a business that everyone is a part of -including our customers.  

The News On Rankin team endeavour to make every customer experience a memorable one and look forward to being able to answer all questions and provide excellent products. 

Proudly sponsored by Crowe Horwarth

Aussie Grains t/a HE Silos

HE Silos is an manufacturing business servicing the agri-business sector providing on-farm storage for the sustainability of all grain. 

Through the years, HE Silos remains to provide our customers with a leading edge in grain storage and technology. HE Silos has many options that will enhance the longevity of grain storage through their innovative idea Thermal Insect Control System® TICS™.

Proudly Sponsored by HE Silos

Tobin No Till

Tobin No Till design and manufacture no till planters.

The Tobin innovation relates to the design of a new planting machine for planting cereals, legumes, oilseeds and pasture grasses.  The machine is a parallelogram disc planter and utilizes a novel series of linkages to effect seed depth adjustment on-the-go from the tractor cab.  Hitherto, depth adjustment necessitated alighting from the tractor and mechanically setting a new depth generally using tools, levers, pins etc.  This new invention dramatically slashes the time required for such adjustment.

Proudly sponsored by Business Enterprise Centre

Forbes Family Dentists (see main story)

Highly commended: Forbes Small Engine Specialists

Forbes Small Engine Specialists was established in 1988 and is a local business that prides themselves on old fashioned customer service. Forbes Small Engine Specialists carry a large range of machinery displayed in their large showroom while their workshops can repair most things with a small engine problem.

Proudly Sponsored by Walkers Ag n Vet

Meals on Wheels Smokin’ Cooking Class

Smokin Cooking Class a service that will be offered for participants to increase their skills and to become independent in tasks of daily living.

Smokin Cooking Class staff strive to build independence by supporting people still living at home to learn skills so that they may live independently at home.

Proudly sponsored by Flannery Pharmacy 

Acacia events

Acacia Events provides professional event management and support services to businesses and community groups in Central West New South Wales. Founded by locally-born-and-bred Carrie Olsen the business executes high quality events and experiences that deliver outcomes in support of regional causes. The small team has over 20 years’ combined events experience across a range of industries.

Proudly Sponsored by The Forbes Phoenix

Thee Hair

Thee Hair has a young team of passionate creative stylists offering the latest products and techniques. We strive to be the best we can possibly be, to help people to look and feel their best.  We work in a fun relaxed and welcoming environment.

Tradie of the year, proudly sponsored by Roylances Auto One

Jayden Hemming

Jayden Hemming is a valued employee of Blush Organic Beauty. Jayden is extremely hard-working, diligent and reliable and is able to assist customers with their beauty requirements.  

Most popular business, proudly sponsored by Bernardi’s

Frank Spice Forbes

Frank Spice Forbes can help with everything from cars to spas, blowers to mowers, bikes, boats, pools and garden power tools!

Frank Spice is a large, modern dealership, in business for more than 50 years and committed to service and quality. 

Michael Spice accepted the award and wished to thank everyone who voted for them.