Historic dual win at awards

For the first time in the history of the Moreton Bay Business and Innovation Awards, there were joint winners in the Moreton Daily Award for Customer Service Excellence category - North Lakes and Surrounds Electrical and Sesame Lane Care and Kindergarten.

Judges couldn’t split the businesses on points, opting instead to reward both for exceptional customer service.

The 2022 Moreton Bay Business and Innovation Awards were presented by Moreton Bay Regional Council and delivered by Moreton Bay Region Industry and Tourism (MBRIT) at Eatons Hill Hotel on October 21.

North Lakes and Surrounds Electrical owners Rob and Kristina Petho credited their team for the win and said it was an honour to share it with Sesame Lane Care and Kindergarten.

“This goes out to the girls on the phone, the guys out on the road, the apprentices … everyone. They’re just a fantastic team,” Kristina said.

“I think we always offer great customer service. We all work as a team. I think that comes across in our customer service.”

They believe looking after their staff is equally important and it’s an aspect of their business they have focused on.

North Lakes and Surrounds Electrical has grown with the Moreton Bay Region, since it was launched 15 years ago.

Reward for hard work

Sesame Lane Care and Kindergarten had a large contingent of staff at the gala awards evening, a reflection of its appreciation of the work they do.

Head of Sesame Lane Kerri Smith said customer service was vital in many ways.

“It is absolutely important to our business. In early childhood education, we have a lot of customers – we have our families, we have our children and for us as a business, our staff are our customers too and our priority,” Kerri said.

“(Winning the award) means we’re on the right track, we’re doing the right thing, we’re doing a great job. This is for all of our staff, nearly 400 staff.

“We are doing a program called Rise Within and it’s a leadership program to help all of our staff, which is nearly 400 employees within this region gain other skills and help them on a pathway to where they’d like to be for their future,” she said.

Sesame Lane Care and Kindergarten founder and owner Hilton Misso said the Moreton Bay Region provided many opportunities for businesses and residents.

“I think following the amalgamation of council, we’ve seen some great innovation happen within the regional area for the benefit of all within the area and the introduction of the university – that has been very inspiring for workers and local people growing up,” he explained.

“We have won the excellence award now two years in a row and this year we actually won the Australian Employer of Choice Award nationally, so it’s our way of giving back and being recognised in broader Australia as to what Moreton Bay Region has. We see that as a bit of a payback for what the regional area has done for us.

“We’re very fortunate to have a great team. The relationships with the people you have to inspire and empower them is everything. Kerri’s done an amazing job in doing that.”

Night of nights

Sesame Lane Care and Kindergarten also won the top gong - Moreton Bay Regional Council Business of the Year.

There were 68 finalists, in 15 categories plus Business of the Year. Winners were decided by a panel of 44 judges from a mix of public and private sector organisations from across South East Queensland.

See the full list of winners and photo gallery here 

Entries for the 2023 Moreton Bay Business and Innovation Awards are now open. Click here to find out more.