A cycling studio that home-delivered bikes so its clients could maintain their fitness, Australia’s first online agricultural show, and a pop-up record-shop that provided virtual browsing through its stacks are among the big winners in the COVIDSafe Awards.
The Department for Health and Wellbeing’s Chief Public Health Officer, Professor Nicola Spurrier, said the seven winners would each receive $5,000 to recognise their efforts in keeping their customers and clients safe during tougher COVID-19 restrictions earlier this year.
“We know that COVID-19 is not only a health issue, but one which affected the state’s economy and impacted a lot of small businesses,” Professor Spurrier said.
“These businesses not only complied with Directions but found new ways to thrive while keeping communities connected, and I congratulate each of the winners and finalists for their successful applications.
“Local businesses and their employees have been hit hard by COVID-19 and these awards are a small way we can recognise their efforts.”
The Awards were open to all businesses operating within South Australia with an ABN, and applicants were asked to submit a summary of how they demonstrated compliance and innovation to be ‘COVIDSafe’ in their workplace during the tough restrictions earlier in the pandemic.
Professor Spurrier said the panel had a difficult job deciding the winners.
“Local businesses have done an exceptional job and their willingness to adjust quickly alongside changing public health advice has been instrumental in stopping the spread of COVID-19,” Professor Spurrier said.
“We received almost 400 applications across seven categories and it was exciting to see the creative and innovative ways businesses adapted to continue to operate during the pandemic.”
Find the winners and finalists below:
𝐂𝐀𝐓𝐄𝐆𝐎𝐑𝐘: Cinemas, theatres and tourism operators
WINNER:
Cummins Agricultural and Horticultural Society
FINALISTS:
Mount Lofty House
South Australian Museum
𝐂𝐀𝐓𝐄𝐆𝐎𝐑𝐘: Gyms and fitness
WINNER:
Studio360 Cycle
FINALISTS:
Karmony Performance & Wellbeing
Yoga Spirit Studios
𝐂𝐀𝐓𝐄𝐆𝐎𝐑𝐘: Personal care services
WINNER:
Salon Superstore
FINALISTS:
Da Gianni Barbers
Yahweh Holistic Health Clinic
𝐂𝐀𝐓𝐄𝐆𝐎𝐑𝐘: Pubs, hotels, clubs, wineries and breweries
WINNER:
Barristers Block Premium Wines
FINALISTS:
Grand Chancellor Hotels
Prohibition Liquor Co
𝐂𝐀𝐓𝐄𝐆𝐎𝐑𝐘: Restaurants and cafes
WINNER:
The General Wine Bar Kitchen
FINALISTS:
Abbots and Kinney
Nugg Lyf
𝐂𝐀𝐓𝐄𝐆𝐎𝐑𝐘: Sport and recreation
WINNER:
City of West Torrens ‘Get with the Program’ School Holiday Program
FINALISTS:
AFL Max Adelaide
Playgroup SA
𝐂𝐀𝐓𝐄𝐆𝐎𝐑𝐘: Other
WINNER:
Crackle & Pop Records
FINALISTS:
Multicultural Communities of Australia
Starlight Children’s Foundation