The Maras Group and its Managing Director Steve Maras took out top honours at the 2012 national Mainstreet Australia awards held in Melbourne.
The national Mainstreet awards recognise and celebrate the efforts and achievements of individuals and organisations committed to Mainstreet improvement and enhancement and who provide inspiration and leadership, learning experiences, best practice, support and development of main street people and organisations, and an increased understanding and promotion of the main street industry.
The 2012 Mainstreet Australia awards were celebrated at a gala dinner ceremony at Functions on Chapel in Prahan, where nominees from across the country fiercely competed for eleven coveted awards. The judging panel assessed applications on the basis of innovation, best practice, benefit and success factor.
Maras Group was awarded the Private Sector Partnership Award for their partnership with the Adelaide City Council in the upgrade and revamp of the south side of Rundle Street in 2010/11. The Adelaide City Council upgraded the street and public realm while Maras Group upgraded all their buildings along the south side of Rundle Street East which included new design elements and features and an impressive redecorating project. Maras Group also embarked and completed several art inspired and place making initiatives designed to lift the general ambience of the built form and the associated public realm, the results significantly elevating the profile of the main street, making the East End even more desirable.
Steve Maras was also personally awarded the top honour of National Mainstreet Champion. The Awards handbook stated “Steve was nominated for his multi-displinary, multi-platform work not only as a property owner and developer with a strong social conscience, but also as a supporter, driver and conduit for the numerous and diverse stakeholders within the business, government and community services. Steve’s contribution to the pursuit of main streets in South Australia made him an excellent selection for Mainstreet Champion”.
“It was a great honour and very humbling to receive both awards as there is so much activity and focus on main streets on a national perspective so to be recognised for our work in South Australia was extremely rewarding. I am fortunate to work with so many talented, passionate and energetic people within my own business, Mainstreet SA, Renew Adelaide and a number of other organisations, all of whom have the promotion and progression of our main streets at heart”, said Maras.
The Private Sector Partnership Award was presented by Mr Clem Newton-Brown, Member for Prahran, while the Mainstreet Champion Award was presented by Mainstreet Australia President, Mr Steve Bentley.
Maras Group was also a finalist for the Main Street Innovation Award.
Maras Group is committed to assisting and driving the ongoing promotion and enhancement of all South Australian main streets and has a particular focus on Prospect Road and Rundle Street East.
For further inquiries, please contact Steve Maras, Managing Director, Maras Group on (08) 8212 4766 or 0412 855 585
