Local Wallerawang business, Black Gold, took home the Excellence in Business award from this years Western NSW Business Awards, beating out some well known large household names in their category.
The award is a great acknowledgement for the Cluff family who have turned the former Wallerawang Public School into a world class motel, restaurant and conference facility.
The judges noted “Black Gold Motel’s clarity in understanding the drivers of their business is outstanding. Their use of analytics and technology to provide insights into costs, profitability, procurement and training are leading edge. More importantly, acting on those insights has resulted in the business being where it is today.”
The business has also won the coveted Trip Advisor Travelers Choice award recently, testament to their ongoing commitment to developing a world class offering in the heart of the Lithgow Valley.
“From building our own bunks for the original school accomodation offering to now having a motel with 71 rooms and 50 local employees, it has been an amazing journey,” said Brad Cluff, General Manager and second generation of the family now involved in the business.
“Running a business like this requires a lot of sacrifices and blood sweat and tears, like any business, but especially hospitality,” said Brad.
Being joined by his wife Emily who looks after HR and accounts in the business, Brad acknowledged that the strong family support from Emily and the tight night Cluff family, is one of their secrets to success.
“We would also like to acknowledge our incredible team who have helped make all this possible,” added Brad.
“The Western NSW Business Awards are all about celebrating and showcasing the diverse array of talent in Western NSW’s business community and this year’s winners should feel incredibly proud to be named as the region’s leading businesses and leaders for 2023, said Vicki Seccombe, Regional Director – Western NSW, Business NSW.
“Last year, we saw Dubbo and the western part of the region dominate the awards, but it’s definitely Orange and the Central West’s time to shine this year.
“We’ve seen some incredibly tough trading conditions for many businesses over the past few years, so these awards are a wonderful opportunity to shine a spotlight on our amazing group of finalists from right across the region.
The 2023 Western NSW Business Awards have been proudly supported by our Major Sponsor, 123 Tix and our category sponsors, Apprenticeship Careers Australia, Charles Sturt University, nbn, and Regional Development Australia Central West.
Winners of the 2023 Western NSW Business Awards, will now represent the region at the State Business Awards to be held in November.
“Last year, two Western NSW Business were successful at the State Business Awards, Topsoil Organics from Forbes and iClick2Learn from Dubbo, said Ms Seccombe
“Based on the calibre of this year’s finalists, I expect that our regional winners will again do very well at the State Business Awards,”
2023 Western NSW Business Award Winners
- Outstanding Employee
- Kelly Johnson, Regand Park Early Childhood Education Centre, Dubbo
- Outstanding Young Business Leader
- Pamela Johnson, SpirtAbility, Orange
- Outstanding Business Leader
- Andrew Everett, Westhaven Limited, Dubbo
- Employer of Choice (20 employees & under)
- Bell Conveyancing, Bathurst
- Employer of Choice (21 employees & over)
- Housing Plus, Orange
- Excellence in Innovation
- Clever Cookie Academy, Orange
- Excellence in Sustainability
- Topsoil Organics, Forbes
- Excellence in International Business
- Leatherwood Bespoke Rosin, Canobolas
- Outstanding Visitor Experience
- Remington Orange
- Outstanding Community Organisation
- Housing Plus, Orange
- Outstanding Start Up
- Pebbly Path, Mudgee
- Excellence in Micro Business
- Cauldron Molecules, Borenore
- Excellence in Small Business
- Clever Cookie Academy, Orange
- Excellence in Business
- Gold Black Motel, Wallerawang
- Western NSW Business of the Year Clever Cookie Academy, Orange
