This year we celebrated the ninth year of the Geelong Business News’ business and community awards, affectionately known as The Bollies. Once again, the efforts of local businesses to go above and beyond the call of duty in contributing to the Geelong community were extraordinary. None however were more extraordinary than our 2009 Bollies winner, Boomaroo Nurseries.

At Boomaroo, involvement in and giving to the local community is literally an everyday part of the business. The specialist vegetable seedling production nursery has embedded deep roots in the Lara community, where the company is based. It is not only the many ways that Boomaroo Nurseries is involved in its community that sets the company apart, but more importantly it is the thought and care that is put into these activities that shows a genuine will to help people in need of assistance. From funding a community noticeboard in Lara for use by local police and other community groups, through to funding and supporting games nights with Batforce and providing mentors to Lara Secondary College, Boomaroo Nurseries is involved in a very direct way. Look out for an in depth feature on Boomaroo Nurseries in the February edition of GBN, or read it online in our flickbook.

2009 also marked the last year of The Bollies in its current format. From next year, we will be relaunching the structure of the awards and going directly to local charities, community organisations and charitable service providers to find out how and which local businesses are making a real difference to those in need in Geelong. Look out for more Bollies news at www.adcellgroup.com.au.