The business also won the six to seven employees category and manager Peter Oliver said he was delighted.

“Winning these awards shows we are doing things right,” Mr Oliver said.

“It is also recognition for all the long hours and hard work all the staff put in to do the best we can for our clients.

“These awards show we are taking good steps into the future.”

It was a night of prestige and honour for the Inverell businesses recognised for their outstanding achievements.

The Employer/Supervisor Award went to Brooke MacDonald from Look Sharp Hair Studio.

“I was shocked to win the award for the second year in a row,” Ms MacDonald said.

“It is very exciting and very nice to know I am doing my job right. I am really flattered and it is a really good pat on the back.”

Highly commended in the Best Employer category was shared by Lyn Evans of Kirinari Community Services and Danna Stephens of Bindaree Beef.

Employee of the Year was awarded to WHK Camerons audit supervisor Nicole Lavender, the Apprentice/Trainee was Inverell RSM Club chef Ryan Kent and Young Employee was Simon Grennan of Crazy Clarks.

The Outstanding Achievement Award went to HN McLean Memorial Retirement Village and Brumby’s won the People’s Choice Award.

Radio 2NZ/GEM FM manager Greg Kachel was also presented with a Certificate of Appreciation from the Inverell Chamber of Commerce and Industry to thank him for his many years of service.

Coordinator Anthony Michael said it was a great night.

“Everything ran smoothly and I am grateful of the business community supporting the night with more than 300 people attending,” Mr Michael said.

“Our guest speaker Sam Bailey was excellent and everyone enjoyed hearing his story.

“The Inverell RSM Club staff also did a great job and the Chamber cannot thank all the sponsors enough for the support of the function.”

Mr Bailey spoke to the audience about his life as a quadraplegic and his hopes, dreams and aspirations for the future.

“When I had the accident and found out I would never walk again, I had to choose whether I was going to sink or swim,” Mr Bailey said.

“All my life I wanted to be a farmer and I still managed to get there.

“My next mission is to be the first quadriplegic to fly a helicopter and I am going to defy the odds.”