About the Awards
The Boorowa Business Chamber (BBC) is the voice for all business in the Boorowa area.
The Boorowa Business Chamber is proud to host the inaugural Boorowa Business Excellence Awards (BEA).
The objectives of the Boorowa Business Excellence Awards are to:
· celebrate business achievements
· recognise and encourage continued business excellence, innovation and sustainability
· provide exposure for awards entrants.
The BEA bring together stakeholders from across the Boorowa region and aims to progress local businesses to the NSW State and Australian Awards.
We are proud to help celebrate and recognise the achievements of our Boorowa business community.
The Boorowa Business Chamber Business Excellence Awards comprises various Award levels, acknowledging excellence in business growth, innovation in customer experience, philanthropic ideals, and ethical behaviour.
Rigorous Evaluation
The Awards will be judged in a rigorous, independent process, with clear guidelines and transparency across all categories. The judges are to be selected based on experience in the field they are judging, and from geographic areas where they can have an unbiased opinion (such as from out of town) and are to all sign a confidentiality document.
The combination of independent highly skilled evaluators and the use of leading-edge criteria make this a unique, impartial, and transparent process.
Gala Awards Night Event
An Awards Presentation Event is set to become the Boorowa Business Chamber’s main event of the year attracting businesses from all around the Boorowa area.
Along with the presentation of very coveted Awards, attendees will enjoy great entertainment, a superb dining experience and will enjoy a night to be celebrated!
Award Categories
BUSINESS AWARDS:
1. Excellence in Tourism
2. Not-for-Profit (For Purpose!) 3. Micro / Sole Trader Business (0-2 Full-time Employees) 4. Small Business (3-5 Full-time Employees) 5. Medium & Large Business (6 + Full-time Employees) 6. Innovation Excellence 7. Business of the Year
INDIVIDUAL AWARDS:
8. Outstanding Employee of the Year
9. Champion Employer of the Year 10. Boorowa’s Champion Businessperson of the Year
The awards are open exclusively to businesses and individuals (ABN holders) within the Boorowa Area (including: Murringo, Rye Park, Frogmore, Rugby, and Reid’s Flat areas).
The BBC will confirm final eligibility during the judging process.
AWARD SUBMISSION INFORMATION:
GET PREPARED
Before you start the application process, please note:
· Read and make sure you meet the criteria before starting your application for each category.
· We recommend that you download the Category information and review the application in its entirety prior to starting.
· In the Category information, the questions are listed, use this as a template before starting your online submission form.
· You must answer all the questions. Only completed applications will be considered.
· Each answer should be around / up to 250 words - unless otherwise shown.
Other helpful tips and pointers:
· Past applicants have found the application process and self-reflection it requires to be rewarding and inspiring and have recommended having your whole team involved in the process.
· Our Judges are looking for concise answers that are relevant, accurate, and honest. They are wanting to get an understanding of the business principles, philosophies, and practices. They also want a sense of how the business became successful, and your plans and vision for the future.
· Make sure you allocate a reasonable amount of time to focus on your application.
· Make sure you read the question and give specific answers to each one.
· Be honest in your answers.
· Proofread your application before submitting it.
Why Enter the Business Excellence Awards?
· Once you decide to enter the Boorowa Business Excellence Awards, you immediately begin to procure the rewards. Preparation of your submission gives you a fresh perspective and new insights into future strategies for the growth and development of your business. It also gives you a rare opportunity to stop and reflect how far your business has already come.
· Regardless of whether your business is named a winner this year or in the future, you’ll have a valuable opportunity to benchmark your performance.
· As a Finalist you gain the prestige and satisfaction through significant public recognition of your achievements.
· Your staff and associates will share in your success and will be motivated to continue to strive for excellence.
· Like Award Winners in other areas, you will enjoy a distinct business advantage through the enhancement of your organisation’s image and standing.
· Winners will be entitled to use the 2023 Boorowa Business Excellence Awards logos on their stationery, labels, packaging and marketing communications.
· All finalists receive a certificate and recognition.
Categories & Criteria
for business awards
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This award recognises tourism operators who provide a unique or exceptional visitor experience. Adding value and vibrancy toward the Boorowa tourism industry and showcasing our region.
This business must be able to demonstrate a commitment to providing excellent customer service within the tourism industry. The award is to recognise their dedication to regional awareness, economy, development and local knowledge.
Entry Criteria
• To enter this category, your business must be operating in the Boorowa Region.
• The business must have been trading for a minimum of one full financial year.
• When writing your submission, make sure you are reflecting on the last 12 months.
• Percentage (%) amount before each section shows how much goes towards your overall score.
• Remember that any words over the word limit, will not be included in your submission for scoring.
Please fully answer each of the questions below:
• 0% Business Overview
o Provide a general overview of your industry and business, including a brief history and a summary of current operations, and products or services. (250 words)
• 30% Business Planning
o Why does your business exist: what is your vision and purpose?
Describe your three key goals and objectives (250 words)
o Describe your target customers, how you market to them, and the effectiveness of these activities over the past year (250 words)
o What tools and technology do you use to support business planning, monitor progress, and measure success? (250 words)
o 30% Business Success
o Describe your major achievements, financial performance, and key milestones in the past 12 months.
Briefly outline your plans and actions to help you achieve your goals into the future. (300 words)
o What makes your business unique or innovative, setting you apart from your competitors? (250 words)
o In a challenging environment that requires businesses to be adaptable, how have you addressed changing needs and expectations, potential threats, or new opportunities?
For example, you may like to describe how have you adapted to the Pandemic, supply chain issues or staff shortages. (250 words)
o 40% Positive impact
o How do you create a positive workplace culture that ensures high levels of employee engagement, satisfaction, and well-being?
Outline your strategies for recruiting, retaining, and developing your team members, including examples of how you have measured staff satisfaction. (300 words)
o Explain how your business delivered excellence in customer service in the past year, including strategies used to create and retain loyal customers.
Give examples of how you have measured and responded to customer feedback. (300 words)
o What actions are you taking to become more resilient to the inevitable impacts of a changing climate, including reducing your environmental footprint? (250 words)
o Describe your involvement in the local, national, or international tourism industry and how your activities have promoted the Mid-West region as a destination for tourism.
Please provide details of specific activities (500 words)
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This award recognises a not-for-profit organisation or charity in the Boorowa Region that, over the past 12 months, has delivered strong, community-based initiatives that positively impacts on, and delivers long-term benefits for the community.
These organisations may operate social enterprises, deliver social services and/or undertake charitable work and exist for educational, charitable, or social reasons and from which its shareholders, owners or trustees do not benefit financially from its activities.
The winning organisation of this award will demonstrate the implementation and use of innovative practices and approaches to meet community and public service objectives.
Entry Criteria
• To enter this category, your business must be operating in the Boorowa Region.
• Your business needs to be registered as a Not for Profit.
• The business must have been trading for a minimum of one full financial year.
• When writing your submission, make sure you are reflecting on the last 12 months.
• Percentage (%) amount before each section shows how much goes towards your overall score.
• Remember that any words over the word limit, will not be included in your submission for scoring.
Please fully answer each of the questions below:
• 0% Business Overview
o Provide a general overview of your industry and business, including a brief history and a summary of current operations, and products or services. (250 words)
• 30% Business Planning
o Why does your business exist: what is your vision and purpose?
Describe your key goals and objectives. (250 words)
o Describe your target customers, how you market to them and the effectiveness of these activities. (250)
o What tools and technology do you use to support business planning, monitor progress, and measure success? (250 words)
• 30% Business Success
o Describe your major achievements, financial performance, and key milestones in the past 12 months.
Briefly outline your plans and actions to help you achieve your goals into the future. (300 words)
o What makes your business unique or innovative, setting you apart from your competitors? (250 words)
o In a challenging environment that requires businesses to be adaptable, how have you addressed changing needs and expectations, potential threats, or new opportunities?
For example, you may like to describe how have you adapted to the Pandemic, supply chain issues or staff shortages. (250 words)
• 40% Positive Impact
o How do you create a positive workplace culture that ensures high levels of employee engagement, satisfaction, and well-being?
Outline your strategies for recruiting, retaining, and developing your team members, including examples of how you have measured staff satisfaction. (300 words)
o Explain how your business delivered excellence in customer service in the past year, including strategies used to create and retain loyal customers.
Give examples of how you have measured and responded to customer feedback. (300 words)
o What actions are you taking to become more resilient to the inevitable impacts of a changing climate, including reducing your environmental footprint? (250 words)
o How are you making a positive difference in the local community?
Demonstrate how your business contributes to the local economy and/or any positive social and community impacts. Please provide details of specific activities. (500 words)
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The business has 0-2 employees, including those that earn an income or drawings. This business may operate either at home or rent any premises other than their home, regardless of whether there is a shop front.
Entry Criteria
• To enter this category, your business must be operating in the Boorowa Region.
• The business must have been trading for a minimum of one full financial year.
• Have no more than 2 full-time employees at time of submission.
• When writing your submission, make sure you are reflecting on the last 12 months.
• Percentage (%) amount before each section shows how much goes towards your overall score
• Remember that any words over the word limit, will not be included in your submission for scoring.
To work out your full-time equivalent number of employees, add up the total hours worked by all employees and divide by 37.5 to give you the number of full-time equivalents, then pick the category relevant to that number.
For example, if you have 7 employees each working 20 hours a week, that is the equivalent of 3.7 (so round up to 4) full-time employees, therefore, you would enter in the business with 3-5.
Please fully answer each of the questions below:
• 0% Business Overview
o Provide a general overview of your industry and business, including a brief history and a summary of current operations, and products or services. (250 words)
• 30% Business Planning
o Why does your business exist: what is your vision and purpose?
Describe your key goals and objectives (250 words)
o Describe your target customers, how you market to them and the effectiveness of these activities. (250)
o What tools and technology do you use to support business planning, monitor progress, and measure success? (250 words)
• 30% Business Success
o Describe your major achievements, financial performance, and key milestones in the past 12 months.
Briefly outline your plans and actions to help you achieve your goals into the future. (300 words)
o What makes your business unique or innovative, setting you apart from your competitors? (250 words)
o In a challenging environment that requires businesses to be adaptable, how have you addressed changing needs and expectations, potential threats, or new opportunities?
For example, you may like to describe how have you adapted to the Pandemic, supply chain issues or staff shortages. (250 words)
• 40% Positive impact
o How do you leverage your strengths and set realistic standards around what you can achieve?
What partnerships and professional support do you have to avoid burnout and remain sustainable? (250 words)
o Explain how your business delivered excellence in customer service in the past year, including strategies used to create and retain loyal customers.
Give examples of how you have measured and responded to customer feedback. (300 words)
o What actions are you taking to become more resilient to the inevitable impacts of a changing climate, including reducing your environmental footprint? (250 words)
o How are you making a positive difference in the local community?
Demonstrate how your business contributes to the local economy and/or any positive social and community impacts.
Please provide details of specific activities. (300 words)
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This Award recognises a business that has effectively driven growth and is able to demonstrate the specific strategies implemented to achieve business success and/or resilience. Entrants are required to demonstrate their achievements over the past 12 months across the key area of business excellence. This category is open to businesses with 3 to 5 full-time employees at the time of entry, who have been trading for a continuous period of three years or more.
Entry Criteria
• To enter this category, your business must be operating in the Boorowa Region.
• The business must have been trading for a minimum of one full financial year.
• A small business can include franchises, if they meet the 3 – 5 full-time employee criteria.
• When writing your submission, make sure you are reflecting on the last 12 months.
• Percentage (%) amount before each section shows how much goes towards your overall score.
• Remember that any words over the word limit, will not be included in your submission for scoring.
To work out your full-time equivalent number of employees, add up the total hours worked by all employees and divide by 37.5 to give you the number of full-time equivalents, then pick the category relevant to that number.
For example, if you have 7 employees each working 20 hours a week, that is the equivalent of 3.7 (so round up to 4) full-time employees, therefore, you would enter in the business with 3-5.
Please fully answer each of the questions below:
• 0% Business Overview
o Provide a general overview of your industry and business, including a brief history and a summary of current operations, and products or services. (250 words)
• 30% Business Planning
o Why does your business exist: what is your vision and purpose?
Describe your key goals and objectives (250 words)
o Describe your target customers, how you market to them and the effectiveness of these activities. (250)
o What tools and technology do you use to support business planning, monitor progress, and measure success? (250 words)
• 30% Business Success
o Describe your major achievements, financial performance, and key milestones in the past 12 months.
Briefly outline your plans and actions to help you achieve your goals into the future. (300 words)
o What makes your business unique or innovative, setting you apart from your competitors? (250 words)
o In a challenging environment that requires businesses to be adaptable, how have you addressed changing needs and expectations, potential threats, or new opportunities?
For example, you may like to describe how have you adapted to the Pandemic, supply chain issues or staff shortages. (250 words)
• 40% Positive impact
o How do you create a positive workplace culture that ensures high levels of employee engagement, satisfaction, and well-being?
Outline your strategies for recruiting, retaining, and developing your team members, including examples of how you have measured staff satisfaction. (300 words)
o Explain how your business delivered excellence in customer service in the past year, including strategies used to create and retain loyal customers.
Give examples of how you have measured and responded to customer feedback. (300 words)
o What actions are you taking to become more resilient to the inevitable impacts of a changing climate, including reducing your environmental footprint? (250 words)
o How are you making a positive difference in the local community?
Demonstrate how your business contributes to the local economy and/or any positive social and community impacts. Please provide details of specific activities. (300 words)
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This Award recognises a business that has effectively driven growth and is able to demonstrate the specific strategies implemented to achieve business success and/or resilience. Entrants are required to demonstrate their achievements over the past 12 months across the key area of business excellence. This category is open to businesses with 6 to 15 full-time employees at the time of entry, who have been trading for a continuous period of three years or more.
Entry Criteria
• To enter this category, your business must be operating in the Boorowa Region.
• The business must have been trading for a minimum of one full financial year.
• A medium business can include franchises, if they meet the 6 – 15 full-time employee criteria.
• When writing your submission, make sure you are reflecting on the last 12 months.
• Percentage (%) amount before each section shows how much goes towards your overall score.
• Remember that any words over the word limit, will not be included in your submission for scoring.
To work out your full-time equivalent number of employees, add up the total hours worked by all employees and divide by 37.5 to give you the number of full-time equivalents, then pick the category relevant to that number.
For example, if you have 7 employees each working 20 hours a week, that is the equivalent of 3.7 (so round up to 4) full-time employees, therefore, you would enter in the business with 3-5.
Please fully answer each of the questions below:
• 0% Business Overview
o Provide a general overview of your industry and business, including a brief history and a summary of current operations, and products or services. (250 words)
• 30% Business Planning
o Why does your business exist: what is your vision and purpose?
Describe your key goals and objectives (250 words)
o Describe your target customers, how you market to them and the effectiveness of these activities. (250)
o What tools and technology do you use to support business planning, monitor progress, and measure success? (250 words)
• 30% Business Success
o Describe your major achievements, financial performance, and key milestones in the past 12 months.
Briefly outline your plans and actions to help you achieve your goals into the future. (300 words)
o What makes your business unique or innovative, setting you apart from your competitors? (250 words)
o In a challenging environment that requires businesses to be adaptable, how have you addressed changing needs and expectations, potential threats, or new opportunities?
For example, you may like to describe how have you adapted to the Pandemic, supply chain issues or staff shortages. (250 words)
• 40% Positive impact
o How do you create a positive workplace culture that ensures high levels of employee engagement, satisfaction, and well-being?
o Outline your strategies for recruiting, retaining, and developing your team members, including examples of how you have measured staff satisfaction. (300 words)
o Explain how your business delivered excellence in customer service in the past year, including strategies used to create and retain loyal customers.
Give examples of how you have measured and responded to customer feedback. (300 words)
o What actions are you taking to become more resilient to the inevitable impacts of a changing climate, including reducing your environmental footprint? (250 words)
o How are you making a positive difference in the local community?
Demonstrate how your business contributes to the local economy and/or any positive social and community impacts. Please provide details of specific activities. (300 words)
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This award recognises innovation in one or more of the below:
• Product innovation: A good or service that is new or significantly improved. This includes significant improvements in technical specifications, components and materials, software in the product, user friendliness or other functional characteristics.
• Process Innovation: A new or significantly improved production or delivery method. This includes significant changes in techniques, equipment and/or software.
• Marketing innovation: A new marketing method involving significant changes in product design or packaging, product placement, product promotion or pricing
Entry Criteria
• Open to innovative start-ups or small to medium businesses only.
• To enter this category, your business must be operating in the Boorowa Region.
• The business must have been trading for a minimum of one full financial year.
• When writing your submission, make sure you are reflecting on the last 12 months.
• Percentage (%) amount before each section shows how much goes towards your overall score.
• Remember that any words over the word limit, will not be included in your submission for scoring.
Please fully answer each of the questions below:
• 0% Business Overview
o Provide a general overview of your industry and business, including a brief history and a summary of current operations, and products or services. (250 words)
• 40% Business Planning
o Why does your business exist: what is your vision and purpose?
Describe your key goals and objectives (250 words)
o Describe your target customers, how you market to them and the effectiveness of these activities. (250)
o What tools and technology do you use to support business planning, monitor progress, and measure success? (250 words)
o What innovation/s have you implemented and what problem/s did it solve? (250 words)
o Provide a timeline of the milestones and outcomes of your innovation/s (250 words)
o How do you facilitate continuous improvement, best practices and creativity in your business? (250 words)
• 30% Business Success
o What makes your business unique or innovative, setting you apart from your competitors? (250 words)
o In a challenging environment that requires businesses to be adaptable, how have you addressed changing needs and expectations, potential threats, or new opportunities?
For example, you may like to describe how have you adapted to the Pandemic, supply chain issues or staff shortages. (250 words)
o Describe how innovation has created new opportunities for your business. (250 words)
o To support your answers to this section you may attach evidence of achievements resulting from innovation.
• 30% Positive impact – (15% weight per question)
o How has your innovation made a positive impact (e.g. your business, community, environment, Boorowa region, industry) (250 words)
o For the next question, answer ONE of the two questions below depending on which criteria applies to your business:
If you have 3 or more full-time employees answer this question:
What steps has your business taken to foster a workplace culture where all employees feel empowered to innovate? (250 words)
If you have 2 or less full-time employees, answer this question:
How have you leveraged partnerships and professional support to progress your innovation? (250 words)
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Will your business be in the spotlight this year? This award recognises a business that has achieved outstanding results, business performance, management and demonstrates all-round excellence in business. To be eligible, businesses need to have won an industry award category to be considered for this feature award.
This award takes into account all business award categories and is awarded to a business considered an “all-rounder” with superior performance and business excellence in all aspects.
Please note that entrants cannot directly nominate for this award. The winner of this award is selected from the Business Excellence Category winners.
Entry Criteria
The winner of this award is selected from the Category winners within the Business Excellence Award categories:
Excellence in Tourism Award 2023
Not For Profit Award 2023
Micro / Sole Trader Business Award 2023
Small Business Award 2023
Other Businesses Award 2023
Innovation Excellence Award 2023
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Item description
Categories & Criteria
for individual awards
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The objective of “Outstanding Employee of the Year Award” is to acknowledge a worker who demonstrates true passion for excellence in everything that they do in their workplace and inspires work colleagues with their zeal and commitment.
Entry Criteria
• To enter this category, the entrant must be working within a business that is operating in the Boorowa Region.
• The employee must have been working with the business for a minimum of one full year.
• When writing the submission, make sure it is a reflection of the last 12 months.
• Percentage (%) amount before each section shows how much goes towards the overall score.
• Word limits are a maximum limit, answer in less if able
• Remember that any words over the word limit, will not be included in the submission for scoring.
Please fully answer each of the questions below:
Note:
These criteria can be answered by either the Employer and/or by a co-worker of the Employee.
• (20%) Briefly describe how this employee performs “beyond the Call of Duty” displaying extraordinary efforts, creativity or innovation to improve service, quality and the businesses image (up to 250 words).
• (20%) Describe the extra effort this employee puts forth to exemplify professionalism and dedication to excellence in their work (up to 250 words).
• (20%) Explain how this employee demonstrates support of activities of the business (up to 250 words).
• (20%) Explain how this employee works as a team player to create a measurable impact on the business in areas such as operational efficiency of service to the staff, customers/clients, suppliers, and the community (up to 250 words).
• (20%) To a maximum of 20 words for each, please briefly describe (in relation to the nominated Employee) their:-
• Quality of work
• Attendance
• Attitude
• Appearance
• Cooperation
• Responsibility
• Reliability
• Achievement
• Discipline
• Other -significant factors.
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A good employer is patient and understanding and prioritises creating a healthy work environment for employees. The “Champion Employer of the Year Award” recognises employers who clearly demonstrate these traits in their workplace
Note: this nomination is to be put up and criteria answered by one or more Employees.
Entry Criteria
• To enter this category, the Employer must be operating/managing a business that is operating in the Boorowa Region.
• The business must have been trading for a minimum of one full financial year.
• The nominated entrant must be a manager within the business or the owner of the business.
• When writing the submission, make sure it is a reflection of the last 12 months.
• Percentage (%) amount before each section shows how much goes towards the overall score.
• Word limits are a maximum limit, answer in less if able
• Remember that any words over the word limit, will not be included in the submission for scoring.
Please fully answer each of the questions below:
• 0% Business Overview
Provide a general overview of the industry and business, including a brief history and a summary of current operations, and products or services any key challenges the business and its team have overcome. (up to 250 words)
• (20%) Explain how the Employer demonstrates leadership and integrity (up to 250 words).
• (20%) Outline how the Employer provides a safe work environment for their employees (up to 250 words).
• (15%) Explain how the Employer demonstrates fairness and helps their employees to succeed (up to 200 words).
• (15%) Outline how the employer provides employees with guidance and mentorship (up to 200 words).
• (10%) Explain how the Employer is an effective communicator (up to 150 words).
• (10%) Describe how the Employer shares strategic outlines, such as the company's goals, mission, vision and feedback (up to 150 words).
• (10%) Describe how the Employer provides employees opportunities to make critical decisions and find solutions to emerging problems (up to 150 words).
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This award recognises an inspirational business leader who demonstrates outstanding entrepreneurial spirit, community development, strategic business direction and innovative ideas, whilst providing leadership to the new generation. As part of the application, entrants will be asked to provide a brief outline of their role, key challenges that have required leadership on the individual’s behalf, and an overview of your three-year goals and strategies.
Entry Criteria
• To enter this category, the entrant must be working within a business that is operating in the Boorowa Region.
• The business must have been trading for a minimum of one full financial year.
• The entrant must be a manager within the business or the owner of the business.
• When writing your submission, make sure you are reflecting on the last 12 months.
• Percentage (%) amount before each section shows how much goes towards your overall score.
• Word limits are a maximum limit, you can answer in less if able
• Remember that any words over the word limit, will not be included in your submission for scoring.
Please fully answer each of the questions below:
• (5%) Briefly outline your leadership role and provide a general overview of your professional profile in the Boorowa region. (150 words)
• (20%) What activities do you engage in to bring value to the Boorowa region and community? Describe their impact. (350 words)
• (10%) What is your vision (over the next 3 years) for impacting the Boorowa region and business community? (200 words)
• (15%) Describe four or five principles of highly effective leadership and provide an example of how you demonstrate at least one of these. (250 words)
• (10%) Explain how you provide leadership to the next generation through your entrepreneurial spirit, strategic business direction, community development or innovative ideas? (250 words)
• (15%) Describe at least one recent (last 12 months) workplace challenge requiring your leadership, how you dealt with it and the outcomes? (250 words)
• (15%) How do you foster a positive work environment, that motivates and inspires others? (250 words)
• (10%) What leadership skills are you continuing to work on? What professional development activities/courses have you invested in to continue your personal and professional growth? (250 words)
CHECKLIST Before submitting your application use this checklist:
· Checked eligibility and confirm that organisation meets eligibility requirements
· Read and agreed to conditions of entry
· Key dates noted and diarised
· Selection process read and understood
· All of the selection criteria addressed
· Any/all relevant attachments/supporting documents attached.