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 :

Ashleigh Melzer, Beyond Bank Australia, Leeton

Matthew Turner,  Boschetti, Thurgoona

Michael Peacock, Alan Harris McDonald, Wagga Wagga

Miranda Rose, Elders Rural Services, Deniliquin

Simon Carter, Boschetti, Thurgoona

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 :

Chelsea Cleary, Recess Hospitality Group, Wagga Wagga

Chloe Luhrs, DLG Aluminium & Glazing, Thurgoona

Jack Fitzpatrick, Fitzpatrick Fabrication Pty Ltd, Deniliquin

Jack Langley, Narrandera District Investments Limited, Narrandera

Kiah Beaumont, Zauner Construction, Lavington

Kirsten Sargeant, Frankk Marketing, Albury

Majdy (Matt)  Wehbeh, Downtown Pizzeria, Albury

Patrick Dawson, Patrick Dawson Law, Leeton

Sonya McIntyre-Reid, Linchpin Digital Pty Ltd, Albury

Tessa Chartres, Murray Irrigation Ltd, Deniliquin

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 :

Bee Cuevas, Digital Marketer Bee, Albury

Brent Castle, The Gardens Wagga, Turvey Park

Clayton Wood, Business Edge Advisors, Albury

Iain Goodway, Deni Golf Resort, Deniliquin

Justeen Kirk, ISO Matters Pty Ltd, Turvey Park

Rebecca Lee O’Brien, BRIE Corporate, Albury

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 :

Annemaree Binger, Centacare South West NSW, Wagga Wagga

Jodie O’Bree. My Plan Connect, Leeton

Martin John Dooner, Charles Sturt Campus Services Limited, Wagga Wagga

Robert Boschetti, Boschetti, Thurgoona

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. 

For finalists lists - Please refer to the Excellence in Innovation and International section below.

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:

AKPS Pty Ltd, Albury

Deniliquin Veterinary Clinic - Apiam Animal Health, Deniliquin

Habitat Planning, Albury

PRD Albury-Wodonga, Albury

Protech Personnel, Wagga Wagga

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 :

Beyond Bank Australia Limited, Leeton

Centacare South West NSW, Wagga Wagga

Marathon Health Ltd, Dubbo

Mercy Connect, Thurgoona

Murray Irrigation Ltd, Deniliquin

Riverina Medical and Dental Aboriginal Corporation, Wagga Wagga

RSM Australia Pty Ltd, Albury

Zauner Construction, Lavington

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.

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. 

2024 Finalists:

Adaptive RF Solutions, Wagga Wagga

Aquna Sustainable Murray Cod, Griffith

Candid Marketing, Griffith

Digital Marketer Bee, Albury

SunRice Group, Leeton

Technocrete Structural & Durability Consulting Engineers, Thurgoona

Yarkuwa Indigenous Knowledge Centre Aboriginal Corporation, Deniliquin

Zetifi, Wagga Wagga

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:

Boschetti, Thurgoona

The Art Factory, Wagga Wagga

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:

CareSouth, Griffith

Centacare South West NSW, Wagga Wagga

Leeton Show Society Inc, Leeton

PCYC, Wagga Wagga

Western Riverina Community College Inc, Griffith

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.

2024 Finalists:

Deni Ute Muster, Deniliquin

Ladbroken Distillery Brewhouse, Tumbarumba

The Depot, Deniliquin

Tocumwal Chocolate School, Tocumwal

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:

Adaptive RF Solutions, Wagga Wagga

Bobby Dazzler Dresses, Lavington

Footsteps Podiatry, Lavington

Grow - Social Work Services and Consulting, Leeton

Olivette, Wagga Wagga  

PhysioFit with Britt, Deniliquin

Rooms of Renown, Leeton

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:

Digital Marketer Bee, Albury

Deni Play On the Plains Festival Ltd, Deniliquin

JBS Australia Pty Ltd Trading as Riverina Beef, Yanco

Murray Irrigation Pty Ltd, Deniliquin

Thomas Bros Toyota, Wagga Wagga

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:

Candid Marketing, Griffith

Deni Golf Resort, Deniliquin

Deniliquin Riverside Caravan Park, Deniliquin

Digital Marketer Bee, Albury

Encore Pilates Fitness, Leeton

Ladbroken Distilling Brewhouse, Tumbarumba

Linchpin Digital Pty Ltd, Albury

Mint Agency Australia, Wagga Wagga

Social Media and Marketing Australia, Mulwala

Upcycled Wood Designs, Thurgoona

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:

AKPS Pty Ltd, Albury

Business Edge Advisors, Albury

Deni Play on The Plains Festival Ltd, Deniliquin

Habitat Planning, South Albury

Haús of Vitality, Leeton

Marbull Catering, Lake Albert

Orman Solicitors, Wagga Wagga

Worm Tech, Yenda

Yardbird, Albury

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 at time of entry.

2024 Finalists:

AKW Accountants & Wealth Advisers, Wagga Wagga

Boschetti, Thurgoona

DLG Aluminium & Glazing, Thurgoona

Downtown Pizzeria, Albury

Mercy Connect, Thurgoona

My Plan Connect, Leeton

Riverina Medical and Dental Aboriginal Corporation, Wagga Wagga

Thomas Bros Toyota, Wagga Wagga

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:

Albury Business Connect, Albury

Deniliquin Business Chamber, Deniliquin

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.