Sustainable Business Award: SCUBABO DIVE VICTORIA
The Sustainable Business of the Year is Scubabo Ocean Dive Victoria.
In early 2020, owner and operator of Scubabo Dive Victoria, Joel Howell, stepped into shoes previously worn by Dive Victoria and Queenscliff Dive Centre. The purchase of this recreational scuba business came with risks, including a lack of diversity and the COVID-19 pandemic.
However, Joel and the team were able to overcome these challenges, finding that the identification and mitigation of risks faced by previous businesses in the industry was vital in avoiding the same mistakes.
Joel’s fresh approach to customer service, as well as the maritime and diving industry as a whole, was popular with locals, tourists and industry professionals alike. The passion that Joel and his team brings to the region is what has kept Scubabo Dive Victoria afloat.
“Scubabo Dive Victoria has shown excellence in the area of sustainability – the business demonstrated an incredibly environmentally-centred approach, with a belief that you can change the world,” the judges said.
“Scubabo Dive Victoria’s innate passion and enthusiasm for this belief extends to include a strategic corporate partnership with SOEL (Southern Ocean Environmental Link), and the extensive production of material to educate and reinforce these concepts within all facets of the business.”
As well as providing dive training, tours and equipment hire, Scubabo Dive Victoria also maintains its research division – Scubabo Quantum. This includes work such as environmental services to be carried out on behalf of the Australian Defence Force and the collection of seaweed to research and maintain sustainable farming.
