When nominations closed last Friday there were more than 170 individuals and more than 160 businesses recommended by the public as being worthy of winning their own special Bega 'clock'.

"The first task of shortlisting the candidates begins in earnest on Monday," chamber president, Mr Robert Hayson, said yesterday.

"The judges will be out and about noting such things as customer service, courtesy, product knowledge, value for money and quality.

"They will also be looking at how the businesses are presented - signage, decor, access, window displays and how products are presented.

"Individuals' appearance will also be considered.

"Cleanliness, neatness, the appropriateness of their clothes and accessories, name tags, smiles all will be checked by the judges."

Mr Hayson said the awards were devised three years ago to encourage business to lift their game in every area to make Bega an attractive place for people to shop and do business.

"We need to ensure that we never lose sight of that ideal," he said.

Categories for the awards will include retail, hospitality, tourism, trades and services, agriculture and horticulture, manufacturing and industry, agents, brokers and financial services, government organisations and business as well as junior and senior employees.

When the nominees have been shortlisted in the various categories, then the judges will have the task of selecting the winners.

The awards will be presented at a gala dinner in the Bega RSL Club on October 25.

Individuals

Aaron Moore, Brownys Bega Hotel; Alan McCormack,IGA Tathra; Amanda Bastian, Woolworths; Angela Noble, Noble Art; Annette Haigh, Bega Newsagency.

Beryl Johns, Browny's Bega Hotel'; Bjorn Saye, Woolworths; Bob Russell, Telstra; Bronwyn Constance, Kliptomania Hair Salon; Brooke Kennedy, Subway; Bruce Cosgrove, Coasthire; Bruce Hamilton, Kangarutha; Caley Jeffs, KFC; Carl von Schreiber, Brogo Veternarian; Carly Lowe, KFC; Carny Lucas, Perry's Menswear; Cathy Benzie, Bega IMB; Cathy Thomas, Cobargo Farm; Chanel Whalley, Fletchers Fotographics, Chantelle Bashford; Fletchers Fotographics, Cheryl Barry, The Goose Cafe; Chris Hamilton, Kangarutha; Chris Phillips, Bega Health Foods; Chris Sanders, KFC; Christie Bramham, Helen's Topknot; Clint Jamieson, Browny's Bega Hotel; Cody Austin, Mitre 10; Corey Walter, Pym Plasterers; Craig Brown, Talk of the Town Brasserie.

Dale Miller, BVSC; Darren Mitchell, Bega RSL Golf Club; Dave Shears, Ambulance; David Gage, Workability; David Grainger, Bega TAFE; David Johnstone, Central Hotel; David Stern, Carp St Dental Practice; Dayne Burton, BVSC; Debbie Alker, Tathra Post Office; Dennis Stewart, Bega Post Office; Donna Dickenson, Anthony's Car and Head Centre; Donna Walton, Tathra Tyre and Auto; Dot Bramham, Woolworths; Emma Cogan, Talk of the Town Brasserie; Emma Shea, Travelworld Bega; Eric Posthuma, Tathra Tyre and Auto; Erika Luff, Sapphire Coast Tourism; Erin Menzie, Fletchers Fotographics.

Gae Howell, Southern Home Furniture; Gary Rodely, Tathra Oysters, Gay Radburn

TAFE; Gemma Beadman, Perry's Menswear; Gemma Tate, WG Taylor Solicitors; Geoff Wickenton, Mitre 10; Gerry Collins, Horizon Credit Union; Gerry Tarlinton, LJ Hooker; Glen Whiting, Anthony's Car and Head Centre; Greg Mallard, Commercial Bottleshop; Gus Britten, Staffords Kalaru; Guy Hinde, Magpie Music; Heather Northey, The Warehouse; Helen Alcock, Pepperberry; Hendrik de Vries, Wykes Retravision; J Stubbs, Brogo Riverview Orchid Nursery; Jackie Irwin, Pat's Place; Jan Dabinett, Jan's Creative Curtains; Jamie Alcock, Pepperberry; Jane McKinnon, Jane McKinnon Bookeeping; Janice Banfield, Bega Business Systems; Jay McMahon, Wykes Retravision; Jayde Sanders, KFC; Jess Boyne, Pepperberry; Jessica Barwick, Helen's Topknot; Jim Butterworth, Hillgrove House; Jodie Frame, Southwell Shoes; John Denning, A&S Transport.

Judy Gowing, Southwell Shoes; Judy Hannan, Bega Business Systems; Judy Raisin, Bega Valley Motors; Julie Sirl, Speeds Shoes; Justine Wardle, Mission Employment; Karen Ingram, Bega Valley Coaches; Karren Kennedy, Pat's Place; Karyn Denaro, Travelworld Bega; Katrina Lee, Bega Information Centre; Katrina Stewart, Jewellery For You; Katy Thompson, KFC; Kay Bowerman, Comfort Shoes; Kerry Stafford, Rene Claire Fashions; Kevin Tarlinton, Bega District News; Kim Saker, 2EC Radio; Kimberley Davis, Woolworths; Kylie D`Arcy, Rainbow Arts and Crafts, Leanne Carter; Magpie Music, Leanne Scheibel; Finches Ice Creamery, Linelle Moon, Woolworths; Linsay Scullen, Ambulance; Lionel Young, handyman for Fisk and Nagle; Lynette Smith, Soul Pattinson Pharmacy; Malcolm Barnes, Postal Parcel Delivery; Maree Hergenhan, Radio 2EC; Maree Rolph, Highway Store; Margaret De Costa, Wykes Retravision; Margaret Harrison, Bandara Children's Services; Maria Caragher, Fisk and Nagle; Marianne Haid, Magpie Music; Mariclare Malone, Coles; Marie Mead, Bega Valley Backpackers; Mark Medanico, BP Service Station, Mary Tetley, Soul Pattinson Pharmacy; Mathew Pratt, KFC; Michael Crowe, Magpie Music; Michael Thorsell, BVSC; Michelle Galli, Woolworths; Michelle Robinson, Sapphire Coast Tourism; Michelle Stark, Woolworths Liquor.

Nancy Ruzika, Target; Narelle Johnson, Harbourmasters Bar and Restaurant; Narene Alcock, Bakers Delight; Natasha Lloyd Jones, Bega District News; Nick Trim, Peter Dawson Toyota; Norm Pearce, Warrick Farm; Norma Reeves, Northside Service Station; Olivia Wallace, Target; Paul Gardiner, Soul Pattinson Chemist; Peter Ingram, Bega Valley Coaches; Phil Pimm, The Warehouse; Raelene Smith, Raelene's Hair Affair; Renee Moffitt, Browny's Bega Hotel; Rhonda Wearn, Bega Valley Day Surgery; Robbie Maples, Coles; Robyn Holt, Chemworld; Ron Mead, Bega Backpackers; Rosie Muzzi, Bakers Delight; Roslyn Kirby, Bega Post Office; Ross Lowe, The Warehouse; Roz Jessop, Rene Claire Fashions; Russell Holdway, Hair Dinkum; Russell Hodges, Momsen Motors.

Sam Deighton, Barbeques Galore; Sandra, Leanne, Marianne, Sandra, Danny, National Bank; Sandy Sturah, Woolworths; Sarah Burton, Chemworld; Shane George, Betta Electrical; Shane Walker, Coles; Shannon Haworth; Highway Store, Sharlene Smith, Coles; Shelly Pittman, Candelo Books; Shelly Smallwood, Bega District News; Sheryn Phelan, Southern Farm Supplies; Shiralle Wilton; Highway Store, Shirley Healey; Comfort Shoes, Sid Brown, Ranbuild; Simon Owens, LJ Hooker; Skye Overton, Coles; Stacey Farnell, Coles; Stuart Carless, BVSC; Sue Heffernan, Bega Valley Meals on Wheels; Sue McWhinney, Bega Business Systems; Susie Herbert, Candelo Books;

Tiffiany Otton, Perry's Menswear; Tim Andrew, Coles; Tina Deacon, Westpac Bega;

Toby Goodsell, Bakers Delight; Tony Haid, Magpie Music; Tracey Westaway, Soul Pattinson Chemise; Trent Smith, Woolworths; Trevor Medanico, BP Service Station; Trish Sly, Sertec; Troy Lucas, Bakers Delight; Vicki Haworth, Pepperberry; Warren Ross, Woolworths; Warrick Monk, A&S Transpor; William Boag, Pat's Place.

Businesses

Anthony's Car Care and Head Centre; Bandara Children's Services; Bega Auto Pro; Bega Bakers Delight; Bega Bakery; Bega Barbeques Galore; Bega Betta Electrical; Bega Business Systems; Bega Cheese; Bega Commercial Cleaning Services; Bega Disability Services; Bega District News; Bega Dried Foods; Bega Fletchers Fotographics; Bega Health Foods; Bega Heating and Solar; Bega Information Centre; Bega Joinery; Bega Mitre 10; Bega Natural Beauty; Bega Newsagency; Bega Pets and Aquarium; Bega RSL Club; Bega Signs; Bega Sportspower; Bega TAFE; Bega TLE; Bega Valley Backpackers; Bega Valley Coaches; Bega Valley Day Surgery; Bega Valley Locksmiths; Bega Valley Meals on Meals co-op; Bega Valley Motors; Bega Valley Shire Council; Bega Valley Tiles; Bega Veterinary Clinic; Bega Woolworths; Belriviere Dairy Farm; BP Bega; Bogo Riverview Orchids.

Candelo Books; Candelo Bulk Wholefoods; Caragher Steel Fabrication; Carpet Choice; Carpet Court; CB Smash Repairs; Central Hotel; Chemworld; Clark Rideaux Solicitors; Coles Supermarket; Collins Street Fashions; Comfort Shoes; Country Energy; CRS Australia; Design Post; Discount DÈcor; Far South Coast Community College; Finches Ice Creamery; Finns Pest Control; Fisk and Nagle.

Galah Graphics; Garry Cooper Cabinet Making; Gillies Gift Box; Glen Mia; Glitheroe Plumbing; Good Times Tathra Charters; Grevillea Winery; Griffiths Tierney Solicitors; Hair Dinkum; Harbourmasters Bar and Restaurant; Hayes Haulage; Helen' Topknot; Heritage Centre; Highway Store; Hillgrove House; Horizon Credit Union; Horse Bitz; Ian Dickson Constructions; IMB; IGA Tathra; Jan's Creative Curtains; Jason Harley Optometrist; Jeff Caragher Gardening; Jewellery For You; Julie Waters Natural Therapy.

Kangarutha Nursery; KFC; Khais Restaurant; Kliptomania Hair Salon; Kydds Butchery; L.J Hooker; Les Hayes Auto; M&F Agencies; M&K Bobcat Hire; Magpie Music; MGM Panelbeaters; Mission Australia Employment; Moama Dairy Farm; Momsen Motors; National Bank; Niagara Cafe; Noble Art; Northside Machinery Service Station; Ottonville.

Parbery Pastoral Pty Ltd; Pat's Place ; Pepperberry Restaurant; Pickled Pear; PJ O'Brien; Plumb Motors; Raelene's Hair Affair; Rainbow Arts and Crafts; Ranbuild; Redgum Soaps; Rene Claire Fashions; Repco; RJ&D Collins Couriers; Rockmans.

Sapphire Coast Tourism; Sapphire Welding and Fabrication; Sertec; Shakti-Ma Emporium; Smith's Pest Control; Soul Pattinson Chemist; South Coast Printing; Southern Farm Supplies; Southern Home Furniture; Southtown Motor Inn; Southwell Shoes; Speeds Shoes; Staffords Building Supplies Tarraganda; Sublime Lime Products; Talk of the Town Brasserie; Target Country; Tarra Ford; Tathra Beach Bowing Club; Tathra Oysters; Tathra Tyre and Auto; Taylors Mitsubishi; The Beauty Parlour; The Brown Bear; The Function Centre; The Goose CafÈ; The Grand Hotel; The Warehouse; Theatre Onset; Tourist Information Centre; Toy Kingdom; Travelworld Bega; Turingal Head Studios.

Valley Mist Flowers; Veterinary Homeopathy, Brogo; VRA, Warwick Farm Enterprises; Watkin's 3D Paint Store; Westpac; WG Taylor Solicitors; Wilson's Butchery; Workability, Zoe's Manchester.