Dealership group Patterson Cheney wins employer of the year award

Melbourne dealership group, Patterson Cheney, won the Denso-sponsored employer of the year award at the 2023 Automotive Industry Awards hosted by the Victoria Automotive Chamber of Commerce (VACC) and the Tasmanian Automotive Chamber of Commerce (TACC).

Morrow Motor Group won the best large business (Regional Victoria) award sponsored by Bendix. 

Nine of the 16 businesses, business people and apprentices announced as leaders in their field hail from the dealership sector. 

VACC chief executive Geoff Gwilym says the awards demonstrate member and apprentice commitment to quality and customer service. 

“It is a huge accolade to be named the best in Victoria and Tasmania. These winners go above and beyond, and have proved themselves more than worthy of these titles,” Gwilym says. 

The VACC apprentice of the year award, sponsored by Spirit Super went to Zak Cretella of Bundoora BMW, while the TACC apprentice of the year award with the same sponsor went to Ben Bailey from Hobart Performance Autos.

Eastern Subaru employee Jonathan Roy was awarded Outstanding 1st Year Apprentice and Jeff Wignall Ford Mornington employee Benjamin Anstice was awarded Outstanding 2nd Year Apprentice.  Both awards were sponsored by the Mining and Automotive Skills Alliance.

Airport Toyota employee Aiden Johnston was presented with the  Outstanding Trainee of the Year Award sponsored by SP Tools/ 

The VACC Progressive Excellence Award went to Alex Cachia of South Morang Mazda and the TACC Progressive Excellence Award went to Brock Costello of Launceston Mazda. Both of these awards were sponsored by Mas National. 

An independent judge evaluated entries based on business management, workplace practices, customer service and environmental impacts. To ensure only the finest of VACC and TACC’s more than 5,000 members would be crowned, finalists were randomly audited.

The winners were announced at the VACC President’s gala dinner, a formal evening that combined industry awards and apprentice graduation festivities. 

Attendees heard from master of ceremonies, VACC Ambassador Shane Jacobson, and a string of top-notch entertainers on May 13 at the Palladium at Crown, in Melbourne.