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.

 Entrants must be a member of Business NSW or My Business, Login or Sign Up now for free


Entries for the Northern Rivers Business Awards are now closed!

Entries close 5pm Monday 5 August

KEY 2024 PROGRAM DATES 

Entries Open: Monday 1 July

Entry Deadline: Monday 5 August

Finalists Announced: Monday 2 September

Gala Ceremony: Saturday 21 September

NSW State Business Awards: October 2024


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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 Winner:

Paul McDermott, Cherry Sports Group, Ballina

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 Winner:

Paul Baker, Mcgloin Baker Pty Ltd, Bogangar

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 Winner: 

Cate McQuillen, Mememe Productions, Whipoire

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 Winner:

Michael Hampson, Norco Co-operative Limited, South Lismore

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 Winner:

Cumulus Visual Effects, Ballina

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 Winner:

Potager, Carool

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 Winner:

Southern Cross Credit Union Ltd, Kingscliff

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 Winner:

Christie & Christie Pty Ltd, Banora Point

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 Winner:

Norco Co-operative Limited, South Lismore

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 Winner:

Women Up North Housing Inc, Lismore

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 Winner:

Farm & Co Restaurant, Cudgen

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 Winner:

Terania Consulting, Lismore

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 Winner: 

Social Futures, Lismore

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 Winner: 

Off The Rails, Byron Bay

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 Winner:

Joel Jensen Constructions, South Lismore

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 Winner: 

Cumulus Visual Effects, Ballina

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 Winner:

Byron Bay Chamber of Commerce, Byron Bay

This category is to acknowledge enterprises for excellence in the provision of high quality care and customer service within the healthcare and wellness industries. 

2024 Winner:

Summerland Support Services, Casino

The Excellence in Tourism, Recreation and Visitor Experiences Award recognises businesses that have made a valuable contribution to their industry and provide a quality experience to both Visitor and Local Markets

2024 Winner:

Potager, Carool

This category is to acknowledge business excellence in the delivery of trade services, construction services and value add manufacturing.

2024 Winner:

Joel Jensen Constructions, South Lismore

This category is to acknowledge businesses of excellence involved in the sale of products and services from a physical retail precinct building or a home based businesses retailing products and services (with stock on premises, held or made, sold from the home or sold online).

2024 Winner:

Dinner Is Served, Ballina

This category is to acknowledge excellence in agriculture and primary industries production.

2024 Winner:

Woodland Valley Farm, Fernvale

This category is to acknowledge businesses for their excellence in the provision of services in the areas of law, accounting, Marketing, Media and IT as a firm or independent consultancy business.

2024 Winner:

Collins Hume, Ballina

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.

 

2024 Winner:

Norco Co-operative Limited, South Lismore