2024 Optus Albury Wodonga Business Awards

This award will recognise and celebrate an established business or organisation (profit or not for profit, online or bricks and mortar) in the Manufacturing, Construction and Logistics industry that is commercially sustainable and can demonstrate excellent development in the previous 12 months.

Encompassing both the creation of new products through material transformation, construction of buildings and related trades and transport logistics and warehousing. This business or organization operates across the spectrum of manufacturing, construction and logistics. For example:

• Textile, leather, clothing & footwear
• Wood products
• Pulp, paper and converted paper
• Printing products
• Polymer/Rubber products
• Metal/ Fabricated Metal
• Transport including local, interstate, linehaul
• Warehousing & 3PL
• Importing, exporting including customs clearance
• Machinery & equipment
• Furniture & other
• Residential & Non-Residential
• Heavy & Civil
• Construction/ Building Services
• Engineering
• Suppliers & Contractors
• Town Planning & Surveying

Eligibility

The business:

• Must have been trading continuously for 24 months and over.
• Must meet the general eligibility criteria outlined in the Albury Wodonga Business Awards Terms & Conditions.

Sponsored by: Gateway Health

This award will recognise and celebrate an established business or organisation (profit or not for profit, online or bricks and mortar) in the Healthcare, Disability and Social Assistance sector that is commercially sustainable and can demonstrate excellent development in the previous 12 months.

A business or organisation that is primarily engaged in providing health, disability and social assistance services to individuals and organisations. Includes but not limited to products and services designed to support wellbeing. For Example:

• Hospitals
• Medical services e.g., GP’s, Specialists
• Pathology & diagnostics
• Allied Health e.g., Dental & Physio
• Other health care services e.g., Ambulance, Childcare, Referral services
• Residential and aged care
• Social assistance – child care, disability, welfare, counselling
• Fitness and dietary
• Disability services
• Suppliers & Contractors
• Town Planning & Surveying

Eligibility

The business:

• Must have been trading continuously for 24 months and over.
• Must meet the general eligibility criteria outlined in the Albury Wodonga Business Awards Terms & Conditions.

Sponsored by: Wodonga TAFE

This award will recognise and celebrate an established business or organisation (profit or not for profit, online or bricks and mortar) in the Healthcare, Disability and Social Assistance sector that is commercially sustainable and can demonstrate excellent development in the previous 12 months.

A business or organisation that is primarily engaged in providing health, disability and social assistance services to individuals and organisations. Includes but not limited to products and services designed to support wellbeing. For Example:

• Hospitals
• Medical services e.g., GP’s, Specialists
• Pathology & diagnostics
• Allied Health e.g., Dental & Physio
• Other health care services e.g., Ambulance, Childcare, Referral services
• Residential and aged care
• Social assistance – child care, disability, welfare, counselling
• Fitness and dietary
• Disability services
• Suppliers & Contractors
• Town Planning & Surveying

Eligibility

The business:

• Must have been trading continuously for 24 months and over.
• Must meet the general eligibility criteria outlined in the Albury Wodonga Business Awards Terms & Conditions.

Sponsored by: Regent Cinemas Albury Wodonga

This award will recognise and celebrate an established business or organisation (profit or not for profit, online or bricks and mortar) in the Retail & Personal Services sector that is commercially sustainable and can demonstrate excellent development in the previous 12 months.

A business or organisation that is primarily engaged in selling goods and services to consumers (business to consumer or business to business) for use, consumption, or resale through multiple distribution channels both online and bricks and mortar.

For Example:

• Motor vehicles, parts & tyres
• Fuel
• Food
• Apparel
• Other store-based retailing
• Auto repair & maintenance
• Machinery & equipment
• Personal services e.g., hairdressing, wellness, funeral services, laundry/dry cleaning, photographic, parking, religious, civic

Eligibility

The business:

• Must have been trading continuously for 24 months and over.
• Must meet the general eligibility criteria outlined in the Albury Wodonga Business Awards Terms & Conditions.

Sponsored by: The Jacob Group of Companies

This award will recognise and celebrate an established business or organisation (profit or not for profit, online or bricks and mortar) in the Commercial, Professional and Business Services sector that is commercially sustainable and can demonstrate excellent development in the previous 12 months.

A business or organisation that is primarily engaged in the Commercial, Professional and Business Services sector. Includes but not limited to real estate agencies, accounting and law firms and other business-related services.

For Example:

• Scientific research
• Architectural
• Legal & Accounting
• Advertising
• Market Research
• Management & consulting
• Veterinary
• Computer system design
• Administration services
• Travel & tour services
• Cleaning, pest & gardening
• Finance & insurance
• Rental & hiring
• Real estate services
• Information media & telecommunications

Eligibility

The business:

• Must have been trading continuously for 24 months and over.
• Must meet the general eligibility criteria outlined in the Albury Wodonga Business Awards Terms & Conditions.

Sponsored by: Visit Albury Wodonga

This award will recognise and celebrate an established business or organisation (profit or not for profit, online or bricks and mortar) in the Hospitality, Leisure and Tourism industry that is commercially sustainable and can demonstrate excellent development in the previous 12 months.

A business or organisation that is primarily engaged in providing short term accommodation, hospitality, and associated products, services, events, and experiences.

For Example:

• Hotels, motels, resorts, bed & breakfast, self-contained short stays, caravan & camping
• Food & beverage, cafes, restaurants, take-away, home delivery & catering
• Pubs, taverns, bars & clubs
• Museums, galleries
• Parks & gardens
• Creative & performing arts
• Sports & recreation
• Amusements & experiences

Eligibility

The business:

• Must have been trading continuously for 24 months and over.
• Must meet the general eligibility criteria outlined in the Albury Wodonga Business Awards Terms & Conditions.

Sponsored by: FarmTech

This award will recognise and celebrate an established business or organisation (profit or not for profit, online or bricks and mortar) in the Agriculture & Agricultural Services industry that is commercially sustainable and can demonstrate excellent development in the previous 12 months.

A business or organisation that is primarily engaged in agriculture & agricultural Services includes but not limited to farming, processing, manufacturing, and distributing products and services.

For Example:

• Food & beverage products
• Agricultural equipment and products.
• Regionally grown produce
• Bakery, confectionery makers
• Dairy & livestock producers
• Agriculture – nursery, floriculture, fruit & vegetable, trees, crops, dairy, poultry, deer, other livestock
• Aquaculture
• Forestry & logging
• Fishing, hunting 
• Related support services

Eligibility

The business:

• Must have been trading continuously for 24 months and over.
• Must meet the general eligibility criteria outlined in the Albury Wodonga Business Awards Terms & Conditions.

Sponsored by: Bank WAW

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. 

Entry criteria

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

• The business has been trading for a continuous period of two or more years and is not bankrupt or trading insolvent at the time of entry. 
• A representative of this business has not been a judge in this category in 2023. 
• A representative of this business is not a judge in the 2024 Business Awards program. 
• Must meet the general eligibility criteria outlined in the Albury Wodonga Business Awards Terms & Conditions.

Sponsored by: Innovate Health

The Excellence in New Business Award recognises a start-up business that has effectively driven growth and  is able to demonstrate the potential to achieve future success. 

Entry criteria

This category is open to new businesses trading for a period of greater than 12 months and less than 36 months at the close of the entry window.  

• This business has been trading for a period of less than two years and is not bankrupt or trading insolvent at the time of entry. 
• This business has not been purchased or acquired and is not part of a franchise. 
• The business has not entered the categories of Outstanding Community Organisation, Excellence in Micro Business, Excellence in Small Business or Excellence in Business. 
• A representative of this business has not been a judge in this category in 2023. 
• A representative of this business is not a judge in the 2024 Business Awards program.
• Must meet the general eligibility criteria outlined in the Albury Wodonga Business Awards Terms & Conditions.

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. 

Entry criteria

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 and that have been trading for a period of over 36 months at the close of the entry window.

• This business has been trading for a continuous period of two years or more and is not bankrupt or trading insolvent at the time of entry. 
• This business has 5 to 20 employees on the payroll in Australia at the time of entry. 
• This business has not entered the categories of Outstanding Community Organisation, Outstanding  New Business, Excellence in Micro Business or Excellence in Business.  
• A representative of this business has not been a judge in this category in 2023. 
• A representative of this business is not a judge in the 2024 Business Awards program.
• Must meet the general eligibility criteria outlined in the Albury Wodonga Business Awards Terms & Conditions.

Sponsored by: Triple M The Border

The Excellence in Medium / 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. 

Entry criteria

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 and that have been trading for a period of over 36 months at the close of the entry window.

• This business has been trading for a continuous period of two years or more and is not bankrupt or trading insolvent at the time of entry. 
• This business has 21 or more employees on the payroll in Australia at the time of entry. 
• This business has not entered the categories of Outstanding Community Organisation, Outstanding  New Business, Excellence in Micro Business or Excellence in Small Business.  
• A representative of this business has not been a judge in this category in 2023. 
• A representative of this business is not a judge in the 2024 Business Awards program.
• Must meet the general eligibility criteria outlined in the Albury Wodonga Business Awards Terms & Conditions.

Sponsored by: Total HRM

The Employer of Choice Award recognises a business that has implemented strategies and initiatives to create a stimulating and supportive workplace environment.  

Entry criteria

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. 

• The business has been trading for a continuous period of two years or more and is not bankrupt or trading insolvent at the time of entry. 
• A representative of this business has not been a judge in this category in 2023.  
• A representative of this business is not a judge in the 2024 Business Awards program.
• Must meet the general eligibility criteria outlined in the Albury Wodonga Business Awards Terms & Conditions.

Sponsored by: Innovate Health

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. 

Entry criteria 

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. 

• I am aged 35 years or under at the time of entry.  
• I am not an employee, Regional President, State Councillor or Board Member of NSW Business  Chamber Limited.  
• I have not been a judge in this category in 2023. 
•  I am not a judge in the 2024 Business Awards program.
• Must meet the general eligibility criteria outlined in the Albury Wodonga Business Awards Terms & Conditions.

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. 

Entry criteria 

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 a senior management or executive level position within their organisation for a minimum of 18 months at the time of entry. 

•  I am aged 36 or over years at the time of entry.  
• I am not an employee, Regional President, State Councillor or Board Member of NSW Business  Chamber Limited.  
• I have not been a judge in this category in 2023. 
•  I am not a judge in the 2024 Business Awards program. 
• This business has 20 employees or under on the payroll in Australia at the time of entry.
• Must meet the general eligibility criteria outlined in the Albury Wodonga Business Awards Terms & Conditions.

Sponsored by: Optus

One business will be named the 2024 Most Outstanding 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 the chief judge, with recommendations from each of the category judges.

2023 recipient: Formulae

Sponsored by: The Border Mail

Every year, a new Hall of Fame inductee is chosen. The Albury Wodonga Business Awards Hall of Fame recognises and celebrates outstanding individual achievements and contributions to our community.

2023 recipient: Neville Jacobs