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Check your eligibility and view the entry requirements.
Northern Rivers
The Northern Rivers Business Awards celebrates the innovation, resilience and dedication of businesses across the region. We believe that businesses play a vital role in driving economic growth, creating jobs, and contributing to the overall well-being of our region. That's why we are committed to recognising the hard work and dedication of businesses of all sizes and industries.
Our awards program is designed to showcase the best of the best in our region. Whether you are a startup, a small business, or a large corporation, we have a category that recognises your unique accomplishments. From innovative products and services to exceptional customer service and community involvement, we celebrate all aspects of business excellence.
By participating in the Regional Business Awards, you not only have the opportunity to gain recognition and exposure for your business, but you also become part of a community of like-minded individuals who share your passion for success. Our judges are industry experts who bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to the table, providing valuable feedback and insights that can help you take your business to the next level.
We invite you to join us in celebrating the vibrant business community in our region. Whether you are a finalist, a sponsor, or simply a supporter of local businesses, your involvement helps to build a stronger, more resilient economy for all.
Congratulations to the 2023 Finalists!
2023 Finalists
The Excellence in Retail & Personal Services Award recognises a business that demonstrates outstanding service, has a point of difference in their marketplace and has made a significant contribution to the local economy.
This category is open to businesses selling food, fashion, homewares, hardware, home improvement, pharmacies, pet supplies, bottle shops and all other types of retail operations, plus hairdressers, barbers, beauticians, makeup artists, manicurists and other personal services.
*This category is only held at the Regional level and will not be held at the State Business Awards.
Finalist 2023:
The Excellence in Trade, Construction & Manufacturing Award recognises a business that demonstrates outstanding achievements in their field and has made a significant contribution to the local economy.
This category is open to businesses providing services in architecture, design, engineering, and construction including builders, electricians, plumbers, tilers etc, automotive repairs, transport, logistics, distribution and manufacturing of products.
Finalist 2023:
The Excellence in Business & Professional Services Award recognises a business who demonstrates outstanding achievements in their field, and whose business has made a significant contribution to the local economy.
This category is open to businesses providing services such as accounting, legal, real estate and property, banking, investment, financial advisers, asset management and brokers, mortgage broking, marketing and publishing.
Finalist 2023:
The Excellence in Health, Care & Wellness Award recognises a business that demonstrates outstanding achievements in their field, and whose business has made a significant contribution to the local economy.
This category is open to businesses providing healthcare services such as general practitioners, pathology and diagnostic, residential care, optometry, dental, physiotherapy, chiropractic, osteopathic, naturopathic, massage, yoga, meditation, gyms and PTs, fitness equipment and wellness.
Finalist 2023:
The Excellence in Agriculture & Primary Industries Awards recognises a business that demonstrates outstanding achievements in their field and whose business has made a significant contribution to the local economy.
This category is open to businesses involved in the production, processing and distribution of agricultural products and natural resources.
*This category is only held at the Regional level and will not be held at the State Business Awards.
Finalist 2023:
The Outstanding Employee Award recognises an inspirational employee who has demonstrated a passion for their role and a commitment to their workplace and the community.
Entrants are required to demonstrate their commitment over the past 12 months to their workplace, the community and to being an outstanding employee. To be eligible to enter this category, the individual must have been employed by their current employer for a minimum of 18 months.
Finalist 2023:
Belinda Dinsey, RBR Property Consultants
Cianán Carroll, Native Extracts
Courtney Gill, Summerland Credit Union
Kaitlyn Studders, The Health Hub Chiro
Michael Alvey, Resonator Music & Tuition
Pauline Fowler, Virtus Heritage
The Outstanding Young Business Leader Award recognises an inspirational business leader aged 35 or under who has demonstrated a commitment to their workplace, industry and the community through leadership.
Entrants are required to demonstrate their commitment over the past 12 months to creating a smarter and more inclusive future and to being an outstanding business leader. To be eligible to enter this category, the individual must have held a management position within their organisation for a minimum of 18 months at the time of entry.
Finalists 2023:
Jackson Whitney, JW Media
Jacob Stone, The Channon Craft Market
Jess Ambridge, Rainbow Earthlings
Joel Jensen, Joel Jensen Construction
Josh Northeast, Jnortheast Films
Kelly Kent, Virtus Heritage
Monique Rutene, Elements of Byron
The Outstanding Business Leader Award recognises an inspirational business leader aged 36 years or over who has demonstrated a commitment to their workplace, industry and the community through leadership, whilst providing mentorship to others.
Entrants are required to demonstrate their commitment over the past 12 months to creating a smarter and more inclusive future and to being an outstanding mentor and business leader. To be eligible to enter this category, the individual must have held senior management or executive level position within their organisation for a minimum of 18 months at the time of entry.
Finalist 2023:
Chris Jewell, Zepto
Claire Harding, Barefruit Marketing
Daniel White, Early Up
Jeff Gibbs, The Northern Rivers Times
Mark Ryan, LRG Lawyers
Matthew Coakers, Coakers Building Services
Theresa Mitchell, Agape Outreach Inc
The Excellence in Micro Business 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 less than 5 employees at the time of entry, who have been trading for a period of over 24 months.
Finalist 2023:
The Excellence in Small Business 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 5 to 20 employees at the time of entry, who have been trading for a period of over 24 months.
Finalist 2023:
The Excellence in Large Business 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 21 or more employees at the time of entry, who have been trading for a period of over 24 months.
Finalist 2023:
The Outstanding Start-up Award recognises a start-up business that has effectively driven growth and is able to demonstrate the potential to achieve future success.
Entrants are required to demonstrate their commitment over the past 12 months to being an outstanding start-up. This category is open to new businesses trading for a period of less than 24 months.
Finalist 2023:
The Excellence in Innovation Award recognises a business that has implemented innovative solutions for new and existing business needs through the introduction or improvement of an idea product, method, technology, process or application.
Entrants are required to demonstrate their achievements over the past 12 months across the key area of innovation.
Finalist 2023:
The Excellence in Sustainability Award recognises a business that has demonstrated its commitment to sustainable business practices and is working to reduce the impact of its operations on the environment.
Entrants are required to demonstrate their achievements over the past 12 months across the key area of environmental sustainability. Category criteria are based on initiatives and projects executed within the business not related to its core offering.
FInalist 2023:
The Excellence in International Business Award recognises a business that exports its products or services internationally, in order to build a positive reputation for Australian products and services and to deliver opportunities for business growth and success.
Entrants are required to demonstrate their achievements over the past 12 months across the key area of export.
Finalist 2023:
The Outstanding Visitor Experience award recognises a business that understands the importance of visitor engagement for a region’s economy* and reputation. The business needs to articulate how they promote the region as well as offering an exceptional visitor experience.
Entrants are required to demonstrate how their business showcases the region/community and how their offering is unique within their industry.
Finalist 2023:
The Employer of Choice Award – 20 Employees and under, recognises a business that has implemented strategies and initiatives to create a stimulating and supportive workplace environment.
Entrants are required to demonstrate their achievements over the past 12 months across the key areas of employee recruitment, engagement and retention. Category criteria are based on initiatives that have had a positive impact on both employees and the business.
Finalist 2023:
The Employer of Choice Award – 21 Employees and over, recognises a business that has implemented strategies and initiatives to create a stimulating and supportive workplace environment.
Entrants are required to demonstrate their achievements over the past 12 months across the key areas of employee recruitment, engagement and retention. Category criteria are based on initiatives that have had a positive impact on both employees and the business.
Finalist 2023:
Casino Returned Servicemen's Memorial Club
Catholic Parish of St Francis Xavier Ballina - Catholic Care of the Aged
This Excellence in Diversity and Inclusion Award recognises businesses that address the needs of a diverse community, including seniors, people from Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) backgrounds, and people with disability. An inclusive business facilitates the needs of all its employees and customers.
Entrants are required to demonstrate their commitment over the past 12 months to address the needs of a diverse community. This category is open to businesses that have been trading for a continuous period of two or more years.
Finalist 2023:
The Outstanding Community Organisation Award recognises an organisation that works to improve the social, cultural or environmental well-being of the community.
Entrants are required to demonstrate their commitment over the past 12 months to being an outstanding community organisation. This category is open to social enterprises and not-for-profit organisations that have been trading for a period of over 24 months.
Finalist 2023:
Human Nature Adventure Therapy
The Outstanding Local Chamber Award recognises the achievements of a Local Chamber of Commerce in supporting its members to maximise their business potential.
To be eligible to enter this category, Local Chambers must be a part of the Business NSW Chamber Local Chamber Alliance program.
Finalist 2023:
Business of the Year is open to all winners of the following categories:
Excellence in Interntational Business
Employer of Choice
Excellence in Innovation
Excellence in Sustainability
Outstanding Community Organisation
Outstanding Start-up
Excellence in Diversity and Inclusion
Excellence in Micro Business
Excellence in Small Business
Excellence in Large Business
This award is awarded to a Business that has been judged to be an outstanding business, that has provided an entry that demonstrates achievements and excellence over and above all other entrants.
