Business of the Year
Business of the Year
GO Bananas Family Entertainment Centre staff went bananas when they were crowned Business of the Year at the recent St Marys Local Business Awards night.
It was one of 28 businesses in contention for the top gong after taking out the children's entertainment category earlier in the night.
Go Bananas, which opened in August 2010, is the biggest purpose-built family entertainment centre in Australia for ages 0-14 and has Australia's largest climbing frame.
It attracts visitors as far as Mosman, Goulburn and Orange as well as the local community.
The hectic school holidays has meant the big win still hasn't sunk in for Go Bananas NSW business manager Melinda Weldon.
"I was speechless on the night, apparently I had my mouth open like a goldfish," she said.
"We know we have a fantastic facility here where the staff are passionate about their jobs. But to have our customers believe in and appreciate what we do means a lot to us. It gives us pleasure to see kids enjoy the simple things in life and being active instead of being in front of a computer all day."
Ms Weldon thanked the customers who voted and St Marys Rugby League Club, adjacent to Go Bananas for its support since the beginning.
"We are here today because the club wanted a facility for the community," she said.
Ms Weldon had this advice for local businesses.
"We're not perfect but we have a fantastic team who work together and know their jobs," she said.
"And listen to your customers. Without our customers, we would be nothing."