Chris and Vera Vasilevski hope to reel in a big trophy after making the Geelong Business Excellence Awards (GBEA) final in their first attempt.
The Hamlyn Heights couple was among more than 60 finalists announced by Geelong Chamber of Commerce yesterday, following a 22 per cent increase in entries compared to last year.
“We’re a bit shy and don’t like the spotlight,” Vera said.
“But when you’re running your own businesses – especially at the moment – you’ve got to put yourself out there.
“We wanted to do that and maybe get out of our comfort zone a bit.”
The couple took over their Queenscliff-based business Gone Fishing Charters after Chris, a welder by trade, took a redundancy package from Ford 15 years ago.
“It allowed us that time to switch over,” said Vera, then a financial planner.
Chris grew up riding his bike packed with rods to the pier, according to Vera.
“Now he’s a full-time fisherman,” she said.
“You do still have your hard days – running your own business is never smooth – but he just loves it.”
Vera, who works part-time in health administration, contributes her financial nous while Chris operates the boat and runs the fishing trips.
“We definitely complement each other – I certainly can’t do what he does and he isn’t interested in what I do,” she said.
Vera said she was thrilled to make the award finals.
“I think it’s time for us to showcase our business and put a face to it, just to celebrate our hard work and what we’re proud of over all these years.”
The full list of finalists can be found on Page 2.
The GBEA virtual awards night begins at 7pm on October 19. To register visit: gbea.com.au/virtual-event
Business Award finalists
Accessible Accommodation
Active Feet Ocean Grove
Adventure Park
AMD Hairdressing
Anther Experimental Distillation (Anther Distillery)
Australian Tyre Traders
Avalon Airport
Barwon Health Foundation
BOOMPower
Botanicals by Luxe
Braille Sign Supplies
C6 Group
Cabinets by Computer
CentreStage Pty Ltd
Coastyle Building Solutions
Crew Faced Makeup Artistry
Custom Neon
Drive Safe Service Centre
Elderberry Event Hire
FormFlow
Fresh Creative Entertainment
Geelong Gallery
Geelong Wart Clinic
Gone Fishing Charters
Hanlon Industries
Higher Mark – Geelong Cats
Home Instead Geelong
Jibber Jabber Allied Health Pty Ltd
Kardinia International College
Kenrik Constructions
McGrath Geelong
Memphis Hire
MoPA: Museum of Play and Art
MultiSkills Training
Murrell Group
Myers Street Dental
Natural Supply Co
Oh Crap
Pawtastic Dog Training
Pearls & Roses
Plan Group Geelong
Real Core Properties
Ruck Agency
Sketch & Etch
SMARTIn Safety
South Western Alliance
Sproutwell
Sugar Images
Surf Coast Physiotherapy & Pilates
Telstra Business Technology Centre Victoria West
The 18 th Amendment Bar
The Resident Barber
The Rock Adventure Centre
The Salary Packaging People
The Skin Hub
Viewpoint Digital Marketing
Walker Safety Services
WildlifeZposure Pty Ltd
You’re Gorgeous Hair and Beauty
Business Leader of the Year finalists
David Greenwood
Frances Diver
Gina Popowicz
Rashi Gupta
Sarah Albon
Young Entrepreneur of the Year finalists
Ash Bent
Giovanni Siano
Jye Bohm
Zoe Waters
