Photo: An Incredible Achievement: (from left) Sajjad, Sandy Talbot, Neville Vickery, Julie Burdett, Hafeezullah Haidari, Murray Burdett, Erika Vickery, Tammy Schinckel, Robyn Talbot, and Mehdi.

Hafeezullah “Hafeez” Haidari will once again be shining the spotlight on Naracoorte at an awards gala, this time at the 2019 Australian Small Business Champion Awards.

Pearl Continental Australia beat out 2000 other entrants to be selected as an Australian Small Business Champion Finalist.

Australian Small Business Champion Awards will be held at the Star Event Centre in Sydney on April 6, and the gala is considered to be akin to the Oscars for business owners. There will be a three course meal, first class entertainment, and evening wear is required. Approximately one thousand guests will be in attendance.

At a gathering at the Peal Indian on Sunday March 3, Hafeez remained humble and grateful about his nomination, and put the focus on what the award would mean for the Naracoorte community.

“It’s not just my achievement – it’s Naracoorte’s achievement,” he said.

In attendance were Naracoorte Lucindale mayor Erika Vickery, and Naracoorte Lucindale Business and Tourism Association Chair Sandy Talbot.

“I’m very proud of what I’ve been able to achieve, and of being able to share this with Naracoorte.” – Hafeez Haidari

“It’s excellent work, and it’s a prestigious award,” Ms Vickery said.

“We’re all very proud,” Mr Talbot concurred.

Additional categories for a finalist include Small Business Entrepreneur; Young Entrepreneur; the Business Growth Award; and Business of the Decade.

This latest accolade comes after Hafeez and Pearl Continental Australia has had a stellar run at a state level.

Hafeez was chosen to be a Regional Showcase People’s Choice Award finalist, attending the awards in October last year.

And only a month later in November, he was a semi-finalist for a South Australian Community Achievement Award in customer service, with the awards held in Adelaide.

At the awards Hafeez will be joined on a table with many people who have shared his journey, including Murray and Julie Burdett, Tammy Schinckel, and his family. His family consists of his wife Majabeen and his children.