Five Bairnsdale region businesses have been nominated for Victorian Regional Achievement and Community Awards.

U3A Bairnsdale and Bairnsdale and District Wood Craft Group are among the nominees for the Senior Achievement Award, The Doggie Den has been nominated for the Customer Service Award, Bulmer Farms will feature in the Agricultural Innovation Award and Black Rainbow Printing (Mount Taylor) has been nominated for the Environmental Sustainability Award.

U3A Bairnsdale is a part of a worldwide group called University of the Third Age, established in the 19th century in France.

This non-profit organisation is manned by volunteers, to give older people the opportunity and experience of ongoing education.

There are no exams, the aim is to allow people to learn new subjects that interest them, or, who wish to teach other like-minded people a subject of interest.

Bairnsdale and District Wood Craft Group is equipped to offer a wide range of woodcraft activities. Club members network to cover short falls in skills or equipment outside the club when needed.

Members research and identify desirable equipment for the club, then fundraise, acquire and install it. Individual and group tutorials are offered by a suitably skilled member to ensure safe effective use.

Over the past two and a half years The Doggie Den has established itself as a leading pet retail store in Bairnsdale and East Gippsland.

Drawing on a combined 13 years’ experience in the pet industry, the team has developed a store where customers can get all they need for their dogs and cats. A core component of the business is a holistic and natural focus. The team spends quality time with its customers finding out about their pet’s lifestyle so that it can tailor diet, treats, toys and accessories specifically for individual requirements.

Bulmer Farms is a family-run business that employs up to 180 people in its peak production months from September to May each year. It is passionate about people finding a career in agriculture and has implemented its own traineeship/apprenticeship program, giving many young people a start in the industry.

Bulmer Farms has also teamed up with the Gippsland Regional Agrifood Employment Program giving many underemployed people an opportunity to join the business.

Black Rainbow has been setting the benchmark in environmental responsibility since it was established in the late 1980s as Australia’s first green printing company.

In 2008 Black Rainbow Printing was voted in the worlds top 10 ‘most environmentally responsible printing companies’ at the International Heidelberg Eco Printing Awards.

In 2018 they were awarded the East Gippsland Business Award for Environment/ Sustainability as well as in the Professional Services category.

Finalists will be presented and winners announced at an awards gala presentation dinner on Friday, October 11.