The winners of IndePet’s 2023 Awards were announced on the final night of the IndePet Conference at the private Malamala island in Fiji.
Following an afternoon of networking, cocktail drinking, and snorkelling, Todd Clarkson, CEO of IndePet, and Tia Wishart, Business Development Manager at IndePet, revealed the winners of the 2023 awards.
Clarkson announced that the Shareholder of the Year Award will now be known as The Founders Award in recognition of the beliefs, ethics, and values that the founders of IndePet held.
The winner of The Founders Award 2023 in Australia were Jaquie and Colin Prior from Wonthaggi Pet Supplies, Victoria, and the winner of The Founders Award 2023 in New Zealand were Graeme and Shanla Lewis from PetSmart.NZ and PetMart Richmond and Nelson, New Zealand.
On the awards, Clarkson said that while IndePet is committed to ensuring the longevity and prosperity of the independent pet channel, they need independent pet stores of all shapes and sizes to come together and work collectively for the good of the group.
“The winners of these awards are not necessarily the biggest stores in the group, but they are the ones that are proactive in ensuring that the group receives the best outcome.
“They participate in the programs IndePet puts forward and continually work towards making the group as strong as possible. Graeme and Shanla Lewis (New Zealand) and Jaquie and Colin Prior (Australia) believe in the value of IndePet to their stores and are committed to the core value of the group ‘Stronger Together’ – which is why they were both very worthy Founder Award winners.”
The full list of winners is below:
- The Founders Award 2023, Australia – Jaquie and Colin Prior
- The Founders Award 2023, New Zealand – Graeme and Shanla Lewis
- Inspiring Leader 2023 – June Cummings
- Local Community Hero Award 2023 – Murray and Leslie Hill
- Rising Star 2023 – Britney Westaway
- Ultimate In-store Experience Award 2023 – Kellyville Pets
- Supplier of the Year 2023, Australia – Central Pet Australia
- Supplier of the Year 2023, New Zealand – Brooklands Pet Products
- Suppliers Choice Award 2023, Australia – Pet City
- Suppliers Choice Award 2023, New Zealand – Pet Essentials Whangarei
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