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.  It is open to businesses to nominate an employee.

Employers are required to highlight their employees’ 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 employee must have been employed by their current employer for a minimum of 18 months, at the time of entry. 

2024 Finalists: 

Abby King, Liberty Domestic and Family Violence Specialist Services, Port Macquarie  

Alan Nye, The Physio Movement, Woolgoolga  

Amanda Pye, Welcome Dental, Urunga  

Angela Jamieson, Danae Cantwell School of Dance, Kempsey  

Becci Dobaczewski, Aussie, Port Macquarie  

Dael Wulff, The Physio Movement, Woolgoolga  

Diana McIntyre, Wet-seal Management, Coffs Harbour  

Ella Adams, Welcome Dental, Urunga  

Jessica Cantrill, Welcome Dental, Urunga  

Kristi Deacon, Port Macquarie Performing Arts, Port Macquarie  

Leonie Ward, Harcourts The Rocks/ Kempsey, South West Rocks 

Marc Minor, Harcourts Greater Port Macquarie, Wauchope 

Peter Gill, Port Macquarie Performing Arts, Port Macquarie 

Rebecca Zmuda, Welcome Dental, Urunga  

Sarah James, Port Macquarie Performing Arts, Port Macquarie 

Skylah McColl, Welcome Dental, Urunga  

Susan Waldorf, Welcome Dental, Urunga 

The Outstanding Young Business Leader Award recognises an inspirational business leader aged 35 or under at the time of entry 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.

2024 Finalists: 

Blake Stone, Billabong Koala & Wildlife Park Pty Ltd, Port Macquarie 

Caitlin Ashton, Sweet Blossom Floral Design, West Kempsey 

Cameron Dann, AVI Protection Group, West Kempsey 

Laura Mayes, LJ Finance Capital, Port Macquarie 

Lindsay Martin, Broken Open Productions Pty Ltd, Boambee East 

Madison Wilson, Any Occasion Cakes & Party Food, Letz Get Lit 2444, Love Letters PMQ & Little Whispers Picnics & Teepees, Beechwood 

Shelley Kurtz, Creative Shell, Tallwoods Village 

Tiga Cross, Coffs Coast Wildlife Sanctuary, Coffs Harbour 

Willow Rissel-Brows, Brows by Willow, Port Macquarie 

The Outstanding Business Leader Award recognises an inspirational business leader aged 36 years or over at the time of entry 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.

2024 Finalists: 

Alexandra Glen-Holmes, Holmes 4 U/ Port Macquarie Tilt Tray Towing/ Business Port Macquarie, Telegraph Point  

Ashley Sargeson, Touchwood Flowers, Port Macquarie  

Chris Grieve, Paradox Media, Coffs Harbour 

Dr Kristy Kostalas, Port Medical Aesthetics Clinic, Port Macquarie  

Melinda Robinson, Midcoast Uniform Solutions, Port Macquarie  

Peter Jones, Harvey Norman Computers, Mobile Phones and Technology , Port Macquarie  

Rebecca Stockwell, Soul Sister Grazing, Port Macquarie  

Shane Brown, The Physio Movement, Woolgoolga  

Shiree Bennett, Bennetts Steel, Wauchope 

Stacey Morgan, Port Macquarie Performing Arts, Port Macquarie 

The Outstanding Business Leader Award recognises an inspirational business leader aged 36 years or over at the time of entry 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.

2024 Finalists: 

Catherine Shaw, The Nature School Inc, Port Macquarie 

Colin Steber, Dundaloo Foundation Ltd, Taree 

Joshua Rogers, Manning Support Services Inc, Taree 

Josh Slade, Slade Refrigerated Transport, Wauchope 

Kirsty Christensen, Welcome Dental, Urunga 

The Employer of Choice Award – Under 20 Employees, 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.

2024 Finalists: 

AVI Protection Group, West Kempsey 

Local Pest Experts, Taree 

Moorland Cottage Cafe, Moorland 

Harvey Normal Computers,mobile phones and Technology, Port Macquarie 

Port Medical Aesthetics Clinic, Port Macquarie 

Port Macquarie Performing Arts, Port Macquarie 

Rosewood Wild Therapy, King Creek 

Wet-seal Management, Coffs Harbour 

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.

2024 Finalists: 

Billabong Zoo, Port Macquarie  

Just Better Care Mid North Coast, Port Macquarie 

Key Community Group, Coffs Harbour 

Liberty Domestic and Family Violence Specialist Services, Port Macquarie 

MBC Recruitment, Port Macquarie 

Welcome Dental, Urunga 

Valley Industries, Taree 

The Excellence in Innovation Award recognises a business that has implemented innovative solutions for new and existing needs through the introduction or improvement of a product, technology, or application that impacts the wider community.

Entrants are required to demonstrate their achievements over the past 12 months at the time of entry across the key area of innovation.

2024 Finalists: 

AVI Protection Group, West Kempsey  

Birdon Pty Ltd, Port Macquarie 

Burling Aged Care Solutions Pty LTD, Rainbow Flat 

Coast 2 Coast Sports Pty Ltd, Port Macquarie 

Port Medical Aesthetics Clinic, Port Macquarie  

Rosewood Wild Therapy, King Creek 

The Physio Movement, Woolgoolga 

Welcome Dental, Urunga 

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 at time of entry 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.

2024 Finalists: 

Bucket Brewery, South Kempsey 

Crescent Head Country Club, Crescent Head  

Mid North Coast Community College, Port Macquarie  

Port Medical Aesthetics Clinic, Port Macquarie  

Sweet Blossom Floral Design, West Kempsey 

Touchwood Flowers, Port Macquarie 

The Physio Movement, Woolgoolga 

Woolgoolga Brewing Co, Woolgoolga 

The Outstanding Community Organisation Award recognises an organisation that works to improve the social, cultural, or environmental wellbeing 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 at time of entry.

2024 Finalists: 

Crescent Head Country Club, Crescent Head 

Dundaloo Foundation Ltd, Taree 

Liberty Domestic and Family Violence Specialist Services, Port Macquarie 

Manning Support Service Inc, Taree 

Omnicare Alliance Ltd, Port Macquarie 

Tender Funerals Mid North Coast Limited, Wauchope 

The Nurtured Village Hampers, Bonny Hills 

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.

This category will be awarded at regional only and will not proceed to the State Awards.

Finalist 2024:

Bent on Food, Wingham

Billabong Zoo, Port Macquarie

Coffs Coast Wildlife Sanctuary, Coffs Harbour

Explore Barrington Coast - Free Eat Stay Play Guide, Boomerang Beach

Moorland Cottage Café, Moorland

Positive Energy Adventures & Retreats, Port Macquarie

The Big Banana Fun Park, Coffs Harbour

The Slim Dusty Centre, West Kempsey

Woolgolga Brewing Co, Woolgoolga

The Outstanding New Business 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 at time of entry. 

2024 Finalists: 

Coastal Workspace, Forster 

Finding Grace Wellness and Sustainability, West Kempsey 

Hasting Physio and Health Pty Ltd, Wauchope 

Simplify Your Life Box, Smithtown 

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 monthsat the time of entry 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. 

2024 Finalists: 

AVI Protection Group, West Kempsey 

Coffs Coast Wildlife Sanctuary, Coffs Harbour 

Dundaloo Foundation Ltd, Taree 

Key Community Group, Coffs Harbour 

Liberty Domestic and Family Violence Specialist Services, Port Macquarie 

The Physio Movement, Woolgoolga 

Woolgoolga Brewing Co, Woolgoolga 

Welcome Dental, Urunga 

Valley Industries, Taree 

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 at the time of entry 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 at time of entry.

2024 Finalists: 

Any Occasion Cakes & Party Food, Letz Get Lit 2444, Love Letters PMQ & Little Whispers Picnics & Teepees, Beechwood 

Lucy Humphries Photography, Port Macquarie 

Picture This! Custom Framing, Nabiac 

Soul Sister Grazing, Port Macquarie 

Sweet Blossom Floral Design, West Kempsey 

The Out There Collective, Wauchope 

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 at the time of entry 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 at the time of entry.

2024 Finalists: 

AVI Protection Group, West Kempsey 

Bennetts Steel, Wauchope 

Bent on Food, Wingham 

Lumpys Nursery & Landscape Yard, Tuncurry 

Harvey Norman Computers, Mobile phones and Technology, Port Macquarie 

Pilot Station Pizza, South West Rocks 

Port Medical Aesthetics Clinic, Port Macquarie 

Port Macquarie Performing Arts, Port Macquarie 

Taree Off Road, Taree 

The Physio Movement, Woolgoolga 

Touchwood Flowers, Port Macquarie 

Wauchope Rural Centre, Wauchope 

Wet-seal Management, Coffs Harbour 

Woolgoolga Brewing Co, Woolgoolga 

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. 

The Excellence in International Business 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 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 at time of entry. 

2024 Finalists: 

Birdon Pty Ltd, Port Macquarie 

Coffs Coast Wildlife Sanctuary, Coffs Harbour  

Eire Constructions, Sancrox  

Macleay Valley Support Services, Kempsey  

Manning Support Service Inc, Taree 

MBC Recruitment, Port Macquarie  

Pathfinders Ltd, Armidale 

Slade Refrigerated Transport, Wauchope 

The Big Banana Fun Park, Coffs Harbour 

Welcome Dental, Urunga 

The Outstanding Local Chamber Award recognises innovative projects undertaken in the past 12 months by a Local Chamber that aims to improve economic, environmental or social impacts.

To be eligible to enter this category, Local Chambers must be a part of the Business NSW Chamber Local Chamber Alliance program. 

2024 Finalists: 

Business Port Macquarie, Port Macquarie 

Wauchope Chamber of Commerce and Industry Incorporated, Wauchope 

Business of the Year is open to all winners of the following categories: 

• Excellence in International Business

• Employer of Choice Under 20 Employees

• Employer of Choice Over 20 Employees

• Excellence in Innovation  

• Excellence in Sustainability

• Excellence in Diversity & 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.  This award will be judged by a panel of three judges that have not judged any other entries in the awards.