Congratulations go to Sailors Grave Brewing’s Chris and Gab Moore and Snowy River Mail’s own Sammi Reynolds on their successes at this year’s East Gippsland Business Awards, with the winners across 15 platinum and four gold categories announced at a gala event in Bairnsdale last Thursday night.

Sammi was announced the winner of the platinum award for Young Achiever in Business as manager of the Snowy River Mail, while Sailors Grave Brewing won the platinum award for Food and Fibre.

Sammi has her finger on the pulse of Orbost and surrounds. She has been with the Snowy River Mail since 2010 and has excelled as its manager since 2016. She is also the youngest member of the Orbost Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

“I was incredibly shocked, to be honest, to take home the win for the Young Achiever in Business award,” Sammi said.

She said it is important that young people are given the chance to contribute to business, to learn from others and to prosper.

“That was the opportunity that I was given eight years ago with the Snowy River Mail,” she said.

“Just because you are young or have limited experience does not mean that you can’t make a difference or get the job done.

“I am passionate about our region and as manager of the Snowy River Mail I get to continually advocate for the great work the people of our region are doing - what a job!”

Chris and Gab Moore have proven themselves time and time again with the establishment of Sailors Grave Brewing in the old Orbost butter factory in 2016.

Last year they were announced New Business Award winners at the East Gippsland Business Awards and they took out the Food and Wine Producers category at the Gippsland Business Awards in August.

Gab said to win the Food and Fibre Award at the East Gippsland Business awards was “really great”.

“So much of our beer gets sent out of the region, so to get this local recognition is great,” she said.

“Especially winning the food and fibre category, we’re just really proud to bring manufacturing back to Gippsland and Orbost.

“We would love to see heaps more manufacturing in the region. This win shows that it can be done.

“People can see that it can be done five hours from Melbourne. We see plenty of potential for heaps more of this kind of thing in East Gippsland.”

PICTURED: Sammi Reynolds is appreciative of the opportunities she has received in her young career that have led to her success and Young Achiever in Business Award win.