LUV-A-DUCK at Nhill was a finalist for an Australian Human Rights Commission award.
The enterprise was a finalist in the business category, which highlights companies that promote human rights in Australian communities.
Manager John Millington said although Luv-A-Duck did not win the award, it was an honour to be nominated for working with Nhill's Karen refugee community.
He said a project by Hoyts Cinemas, Village Cinemas, Event-Greater Union-Birch Carroll and Coyle Cinemas and Reading Cinemas took out the award.
"We were thrilled with the nomination because it came out of the blue," Mr Millington said.
"There were pretty serious contenders so to have a small company like ours in regional Victoria to reach the finals is a real thrill.
"It was a Luv-A-Duck initiative to help the Karen refugees and to bring them to Nhill four years ago.
"They have settled in and established a community here."
Mr Millington said the program had benefited both Luv-A-Duck and the Nhill community.
"It has certainly helped Luv-A-Duck because Nhill's unemployment rate is less than two per cent, so it is hard to expand the business - there are not as many people to hire," he said.
"It has been a win-win for the community also because one young lad has an apprenticeship with a mechanic and there were 26 new students in Nhill last year."