General News
18 September, 2023
Local business scores state award nominations
Amherst disability respite business Wattle Tree Country Retreat has been nominated in the 2023 Victorian Community Achievement Awards. Wattle Tree was nominated in two categories, the Konica Minolta Customer Service Award and Regional Development...
Amherst disability respite business Wattle Tree Country Retreat has been nominated in the 2023 Victorian Community Achievement Awards.
Wattle Tree was nominated in two categories, the Konica Minolta Customer Service Award and Regional Development Victoria Business Achievement Award.
The business was previously nominated in the Business Achievement Award category in 2022 and now have their sights set on the 2023 accolades.
Opening in 2021, Wattle Tree provides respite and short term accommodation for people with disabilities, psychosocial disabilities and acquired brain injuries aged between 18 and 65 years old.
Located on 20 acres, the business provides more than just a retreat, with the opportunity for clients to interact with farm animals and participate in activities like bushwalking, camping and gold panning.
Wattle Tree Country Retreat owner Chelsea Thompson said it was exciting to be nominated for a second year running.
“As it was last year we were surprised to be nominated, so once again we are surprised but very grateful for the nomination. We as a team have worked very hard on all aspects of good practice in running a registered NDIS respite service,” she said.
“Since opening in April 2021 we have seen our participant base triple, this is measured on bookings and an increase in revenue.
“We have done a lot of data collation in relation to customer satisfaction surveys.
“Our biggest achievement was having our mid term NDIS audit and being fully compliant with no non-compliances to be changed or updated.”
Award winners will be announced on December 1 at the 2023 Community Achievement Awards gala presentation dinner.