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2015
1 December 2015
Motel takes Gold Nugget in Gulgong business awards
The Ten Dollar Town Motel was named the winner of the Gold Nugget Award at the annual Gulgong Business Awards on Saturday evening.
The Gold Nugget Award is presented to the overall outstanding business, chosen from among businesses, community groups and individuals nominated in 17 categories.
Co-owner of the Ten Dollar Town Motel, Carol Swadling, said the award capped a "huge year" for the business.
'We have done a full refurbishment of 36 rooms in two months," Mrs Swadling said.
'We have also had a lot of help with the technical side of the business, with our website revamped and updating our Trip Advisor account, merging the Golden Chain Motels and RMS booking system."
The Ten Dollar Town Motel has also focussed on social media, boosting the number of followers on its Facebook page from 2700 at the start of the year to 6331 "likes'.
"I take a lot of photos of the town and Gulgong and Mudgee region and post them on the Facebook page, as well as sharing information about other businesses and activities in the town," Mrs Swadling said.
"I try to promote the whole town and region. Any help that a small town can come up with to survive is good help."
Mrs Swadling said the Ten Dollar Town Motel was a family business, noting that her daughter Carmen, could not attend as she had recently given birth to a son.
Mrs Swadling's son, Damian, received the Ian "Holly" Hollingsworth Memorial Trophy for outstanding skills in a hospitality or a licensed business.
Mrs Swadling thanked all involved in the Gulgong Business Awards, including the Gulgong RSL, who organised the event, the sponsors and the other nominees.
This year's business awards were revamped to include some new categories.
Gulgong Hardware & Welding Supplies was the winner of the inaugural Energy Sustainability Award.
The People's Choice Award, chosen by popular vote, was won by the Butcher Shop Cafe.
The Peabody Energy Wombat Award, given for to a person who works quietly without a lot of fuss was awarded to Member for Parkes Mark Coulton and his wife Robyn.
Lloyd Coleman of Peabody Energy said Mr Coulton was the hardest working politician he knew or had known.
"And I've known a few," he added.
An electoral boundary redistribution to come into effect at the next federal election will transfer the whole of the Mid-Western Region, including Gulgong, from the Parkes electorate to the electorate of Calare.
Mr Coulton said he had lodged an objection to the proposed changes.
'Don't change Gulgong," he told the business awards audience.
"I have appreciated your support and camaraderie and the way you protect your heritage town but keep it relevant to the 21st Century," he said.
Gold Nugget Award: Ten Dollar Town Motel
Wombat Award: Mark and Robyn Coulton
People's Choice Award: Butcher Shop Caf
Quiet Achiever Award: Awesome Trader
Apprentice of the Year: Jake Pracey-Holmes
Employee of the Year: Jay Wright (Australia Post)
and Kellie Hendry (Gulgong Newsagent)
Professional Services: Wenonah Lodge
Energy Sustainability: Almac Hardware & Welding Supplies
Agricultural & Industrial: R & J Andrews Engineering
Customer Service: Gulgong Butchery
Food and Beverage Business: Delumptious
Accommodation: Gulgong B & B
Contribution to Tourism: Gulgong Pioneer Museum
Outstanding Retail Business: Stacks Down Under
Ian Hollingsworth Memorial Award for Outstanding Skills in Hospitality:
Damien Swadling, Ten Dollar Town Motel
Outstanding Volunteer Organisation:
The Henry Lawson Society
Care Provider Happy Days
Transport Nightrider Community Bus
Credit: ROBYN MURRAY1