All the winners from the inaugural 2019 Onkaparinga Business Awards

Fourteen southern businesses were recognised at the inaugural Onkaparinga Business Awards tonight. Did your favourites win?

Stephanie Timotheou

2 min read

November 27, 2019 - 5:28PM

The Messenger

Beach Road Wines Briony Hoare with Talie Neill were among the winners at the inaugural Onkaparinga Business Awards. Picture: Naomi Jellicoe

South

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From quaint little cafes to top notch producers, the south is brimming with talented locals.

But how does one know where to get the best coffee, live music experience or customer service?

After more than 17,000 public votes, the best of the best have been revealed at the inaugural 2019 Onkaparinga Business Awards.

The awards – hosted by Onkaparinga Council and The Messenger – recognises outstanding businesses across 14 categories that make the southern suburbs a great place to live, work and play.

Onkaparinga Council Mayor Erin Thompson attended the ceremony tonight (November 28) at Port Noarlunga’s Sauerbier House and praised finalists and winners.

“The ON Business Awards program has unearthed some quiet achievers as well as reaffirmed some old favourites,” Mayor Thompson says.

“The high calibre of nominees was outstanding and made the judging process one of serious consideration.

“I’d like to thank our community for embracing these awards as a way to recognise the success of our local businesses.”

O’Halloran Hill Fruit Mart took out the prestigious Hall of Fame award, which acknowledges a business that has been serving the southern suburbs community for more than 25 years.

The greengrocer, which was purchased in 1978 by the Daher family, has stood the test of time and is still a bustling, family-run business 41 years on.

Co-owner Iman Daher, who runs the store with husband Brian, says the business started as a humble little market on top of a hill, surrounded by almond trees and a few houses.

“It was on a hectic, busy road and people would stop, pick up what they wanted and were off again,” she says.

“We’ve seen a lot of change. Now we are part of a shopping centre and locals from 30-plus years ago still come … they are like family to us.”

Brian and Iman Daher who run the O'Halloran Hill Fruit Mart. Picture: AAP/Roy Vandervegt

Mrs Daher says the award is a reminder of the hard work and dedication her family has put into the business.

“This award means so much,” Mrs Daher says.

“Especially for my husband and his family … he has dedicated most of his adult life to the store and it is a reward for all his hard work getting up at 1am on market days and working long hours.

“It’s nice to know that people appreciate all the work that goes on behind the scenes.”

Another high achiever on the night was Peppertree Aldinga which took out two awards –

Best Pub/Bar/Live Music Venue and Best Customer Experience.

Owners Mark and Tanya Crago say the awards are exactly what the southern suburbs needed.

“It’s nice to be recognised and it shows businesses that they are on the right track and people are happy with what they’re doing,” Ms Crago says.

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FULL LIST OF 2019 ONKAPARINGA BUSINESS AWARD WINNERS:

Hall of Fame

O’Halloran Hill Fruit Mart