Albury Business Connect recently celebrated our business community’s night of nights – the 2026 Optus Albury Wodonga Business Awards.
This event serves as the ultimate celebration of businesses in our local region, on both sides of the NSW/Vic border. It recognises the most outstanding businesses and individuals across a variety of industries and sizes. Award categories include Excellence in Innovation, Outstanding Community Organisation, Employer of Choice, Outstanding Business Person, and many more.
This year’s Awards broke records with 202 entries resulting in 85 finalists, who were announced at a premier Finalist evening in July at Albury’s Regent Cinemas. The Gala event on August 7 was then attended by over 400 people, including finalists, judges, sponsors and guests. 18 winners were announced across the evening, with the most prestigious award, Most Outstanding Business, bestowed upon Bank WAW. An honourable mention also goes to First Scaff, who won 4 separate categories and received Highly Commended in a fifth.
Each year, a notable local businessperson is also inducted into the Hall of Fame. This year’s inductee was Garry Zauner, CEO of family-run business Zauner Construction. Founded in Albury over 65 years ago, Zauner Construction has been behind some of the most iconic buildings across Albury and Wodonga. We extend our congratulations to Garry and his family for this incredible achievement.
The Gala was an extraordinary evening, but the Albury Wodonga Business Awards program does more than recognise the winning businesses. It gives every entrant an opportunity to reflect on their business, gain feedback from industry experts, build brand awareness, and highlight the hard work of the people behind each business. Here at Albury Business Connect, it is an honour to host this event and shine a light on our outstanding business community, and we commend all our well-deserved finalists and winners.
View photos from the event or view the full list of winning businesses.