Switched On Electronics was named the recipient of the NBN Local Community Minded Business Award at the 2026 Campaspe Murray Business Awards, capping what has been an incredible two years for the business.
With more to come.
Just before the big announcement at Rich River Golf Club last week, SOE had recently been named best new business at Deniliquin’s version of the awards.
Picking up that going after only being in business there for a few months.
This is a success story on steroids.
Olivia and Michael Morona only took over Switched On Electronics two years ago – in fact being named Local Community Minded Business arrived on their second anniversary of ownership.
“We were so taken aback,” Olivia recalled.
“To win the award, and win it on the same date we started as the owners, it was so good,” she said.
“We had been looking for a business opportunity, and Michael had an extensive career with Telstra while I worked as an events organiser, so it was an interesting skillset to bring together.”
Interesting, yes.
Successful? Not just apparently, but absolutely.
In the two years since first opening the SOE doors as their own, the couple have launched Switched On Mobiles in Deni and have signed off on a third store, to be launched in the middle of next year at Yarrawonga.
“Our vision was always to expand, identifying communities which needed more services and wanted to work with a talented and dedicated team of locals, where you get face-to-face service and assistance,” Olivia explained.
“And we owe so much of our success to the people we have working with us – Switched On Electronics had been running for 28 years in Echuca before us and we were blessed the team were happy to stay on with us,” she said.
“Today we have a staff of 12 across the two sites – and Deni is a bit of a soft spot for us, Michael and I both come from there and all our families are still there.
“As well as what we deliver in our stores, we are also a very proactive part of the communities in which we operate, supporting local clubs and charities.”
It is that kind of direct and personal involvement which sets businesses such as SOE apart – the big box, big corporates might make a song and a dance about their links to the big picture events, such as the AFL or Australian Open, but that all starts at the grassroots level and it is only the support of local businesses which delivers there.
Which is why these awards put the spotlight on local businesses which must be supported by local people.
Olivia said they might have been Deni born-and-bred, but both she and Michael did all their secondary schooling in the twin towns, and they were now locals here, moving into a new Moama home soon.
“We were so grateful to win this award, it has made us feel really at home here, and part of the community – for us that connection is everything. Our shops are local, our staff are local, we are local and we all need to work together.”
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