Two Mitchell Shire-based businesses have been named as finalists in this year’s Victorian Community Achievement Awards.
The Bush Bus and Rambling Wine Tours each have a shot at taking home a statewide award in the regional service, and tourism and hospitality categories, respectively.
The awards, in its 21st year, acknowledge and reward people, communities and businesses that are leaders in their field and contribute to making the state a better place.
The Bush Bus owner Georgina Dymock and Rambling Wine Tours owner Sarah D’Orria have known each other since high school and are both ‘thrilled’ to be finalists for awards.
Winners will be announced at a gala presentation dinner on December 1 at the Sofitel in Melbourne.
The Bush Bus is Australia’s pioneering mobile nature playgroup and family program that invites families to participate in nature-inspired arts, water play, sensory imaginative fun, and educational nature walks.
The Bush Bus began in Mitchell Shire five years ago and has since welcomed more than 30,000 participants throughout Victoria and New South Wales.
The program is offered free of charge for participants due to the support of funding partners.
In the Mitchell Shire, The Bush Bus hosts programs in Broadford and Wallan.
The Bush Bus is nominated for the Nectre Regional Service Award, which recognises regional and rural achievers and community contributors who have shown ‘excellence in their endeavours’ and raised the profile of their community, initiative or career.
Ms Dymock said she was thrilled and honoured to be a finalists for the second consecutive year, after winning the People’s Choice Award for Victoria last year.
“The Bush Bus is instrumental in bringing together families and creating communities,” she said.
Rambling Wine Tours, established in 2021, is a family-owned business from Seymour that showcases boutique wineries across central Victoria to visitors from near and far.
The company offers tailored, private, luxury winery tours in the Goulburn Valley, Heathcote, Bendigo and Greater Shepparton, which include tastings of the region’s finest food, produce and award-winning wines.
Rambling Wine Tours is nominated for the Best’s Wines Tourism and Hospitality Award, which honours those who are leaders in showcasing Victoria as a tourist destination or providing exceptional guest experiences.
Ms D’Orria said her business’ success stems from the unique experiences on offer and a passion and commitment to support other local businesses.
“I want to help visitors discover and fall in love with not just the eclectic vineyards and decadent food culture that our region has to offer, but also the awe-inspiring landscapes in central Victoria,” Ms D’Orria said.
Category winners will each receive a prize package worth more than $1500 and will be featured in a ‘congratulations’ advertisement to be aired across regional Victoria on the Seven Network.
Ms Dymock encouraged readers to follow The Bush Bus’ and Rambling Wine Tours’ Facebook pages to receive an alert when People’s Choice Award voting opens.
