9.50pm: The Business of the Year award goes to Harris Farm Markets.

9.45pm: The Business Person of the Year is Jenny Harper from Southern Highlands Private Hospital.

Mrs Harper said “wow, all I can say is wow. I am absolutely thrilled. I couldn’t do this without the fabulous staff I have.” 

 – Now for the two top awards of the night, the Business Person of the Year and the Business of the Year.

9.42pm: The best Tourism Service in the Southern Highlands is Holiday Rental Specialists. 

9.40pm: The best cafe in the highlands for 2016 is The Shaggy Cow.

9.39pm: The best real estate agent in the Southern Highlands for 2016 is One Agency Maday Property. 

9.33pm: The Most Outstanding Services and Trade award winner is GJ Gardner Homes Southern Highlands. 

A business representative thanked all of the “incredible staff”.

“Some of which have been with us since we started here in the Southern Highlands nine years ago,” he said. 

9.30pm: The Most Outstanding Health Improvement Service award goes to Southern Highlands Private Hospital. 

9.26pm: The Most Outstanding Hairdresser Award goes to United Culture.

Patrick thanked all of his clients for getting behind something “unique and passionate”.

“We’re so grateful, we love you all,” he said. 

9.24pm: The Most Outstanding Specialised Retail Business is Irelands Machinery. 

9.21pm: The best childcare service in the Southern Highlands for 2016 is Wembley Road Preschool. 

Jane from the preschool said she did not expect to win.

“I could not have done it without my staff,” she said. 

9.19pm: The Most Outstanding Wedding Service award goes to Sylvan Glen.

​9.17pm: The Most Outstanding Accommodation award winner is Peppers Manor House. 

9.15pm: The Best Bakery/Cake Shop award goes to Flour Water Salt.

8.42pm: The Most Outstanding New Business is The Source Bulk Foods. 

The business owner said she wanted to see a “plastic free Southern Highlands”. 

8.40pm: The Most Outstanding Pharmacy award goes to Capital Chemist. 

8.37pm: Most Outstanding Not For Profit group goes to Interchange Australia. 

8.35pm: The Most Outstanding Antiques, Arts, Crafts and Gifts store award goes to Mittagong Antiques Centre.

8.27pm: The Most Outstanding Fresh Food business award goes to Harris Farm Markets.

8.27pm: The Most Outstanding Automotive Services Award goes to Petersens Garage. 

8.25pm: The Most Outstanding Manufacturing Business award goes to Austruss.

Andrew from Austruss said they had been a business in the highlands for 15 years. 

“We employ about 95 per cent local people. We are very proud to be a part of the local community,” he said. 

“The business is growing and we are continuing to innovate.” 

8.21pm: The Most Outstanding Fashion Shop award goes to Swish Plus Size Clothing Bowral. 

8.19pm: The Most Outstanding Specialised Business award goes to Annesley Bowral. 

8.17pm: The Most Outstanding Take Away or Fast Food outlet award goes to Southern Rise Bakery. 

They were unable to attend the awards. 

8.14pm: The hotly-contested Most Outstanding Restaurant Award goes to Bendooley Estate, Berrima. 

8.10pm: The Most Outstanding Professional Service award goes to Tziallas Omeara Architecture Studio.

Tina from the studio said they were “quite surprised” by the announcement.

“It is a joy to be at work because we absolutely love it,” she said.

8.06pm: Most Outstanding Beauty Service award goes to Iris Skin and Beauty. 

8.04pm: The Most Outstanding Fitness Service Award goes to Benton Gym.

8.02pm: The Youth Award goes to Tahlia Nononmacher.

8.00pm: Environmental Sustainability award Working Space Moss Vale.

Peter from Working Space Moss Vale said “thank you very much. I am quite surprised”

“The business was developed in June this year so it is in its early stages.”

7.55pm: Wingecarribee Shire Council Mayor Ken Halstead said Southern Highlands businesses were leading the way in several areas. 

“It is remarkable for an area of this size,” he said. 

“I will be looking for incentives for small businesses to come down here and for businesses that are already here.

“I would like to congratulate all finalist across all categories tonight.” 

7.40pm: 2787 nominations were received, which were tallied into the most popular businesses in each category. An independent judge then visit businesses and judged them on their presentation, products and services, value of products and service. 

Websites were also reviewed.

7.30pm: The official awards presentation has started. 

The MC for the night is Paul Hancock from Channel 9. 

6.30pm: Guests are starting to arrive at the 2016 Southern Highlands Local Business Awards.

Businesses will be awarded in the following categories; 

Environmental Sustainability 

Youth Award

Fitness Services 

Beauty Services 

Professional Services 

Restaurant 

Fast Food/Takeaway 

Specialised Business 

Fashion Shop 

Manufacturing 

Automotive Services 

Fresh Food 

Antiques, Arts, Crafts and Gifts 

Not For Profit 

Pharmacy 

New Business 

Bakery Cake Shop 

Accomocation 

Wedding Services 

Child Care Services 

Specialised Retail Business 

Hairdresser 

Health Improvement Services 

Service and Trade 

Real Estate Agency 

Cafe

Tourism Services 

Business Person of the Year 

Business of the Year