Moree and District Chamber of Commerce and Industry outgoing president Phil Alchin said the night went well with most of the feedback from patrons being positive.

Mr Alchin said the awards had not only acknowledged the winners in each category this year, but also made mention of the many finalists who had made it to the judges’ tables.

The diverse range of winners was reflective of the Moree community, he said, and the business houses in the region.

“Something like that doesn’t happen without the generous support of sponsors” along with the input of the chamber of commerce, and the organisation of the volunteer judges, Mr Alchin said.

W.J. Matthews director Jeremy Matthews said he didn’t think the company would have been in the running for the major award. “It was nice to be recognised,” Mr Matthews said.

Mr Matthews’ business also picked up the NAB Agricultural Services Award on the night, being the only business to take out two awards.

“The night was excellent, it was extremely well-organised,” he said.

The two awards would probably mean some internal recognition for W.J. Matthews, Mr Matthews said, and he hoped to see the business expand in coming years under its own initiative.

The business has been part of the Moree landscape for the last 56 years.

Mr Alchin said at least one judge had been assigned to each of the 18 award categories, although the chamber of commerce had managed to have two judges for most of the night’s accolades.

Comedian Tommy Dean served as master of ceremonies for the night, along with performing a comedy skit, which kept many audience members in stitches for over half an hour.

See pages 2, 4 and 6 for more on the business awards.