Get ready to shine brighter than ever!

 

Less than 2 weeks to enter

Applications Close 31st March

 

The Hunter Region Business Excellence Awards, celebrating outstanding businesses and achievements, are officially open!

For 29 years, the Hunter Region Business Excellence Awards has been the region’s premier platform for recognizing and rewarding local business excellence.

Whether you’re a small startup or a well-established company, this is your chance to showcase your brilliance and get the recognition you deserve.

 

Benefits of entering business awards

✔️Become a Recognised Star: Earn the recognition your business deserves for its outstanding achievements and contributions to the hunter region.

✔️Boost Your Credibility: Stand out from the crowd with the prestigious HRBEA badge – a mark of excellence from esteemed judges and industry leaders.

✔️Fuel Your Network: Connect with a dynamic community of entrepreneurs, leaders, and potential collaborators at the glittering awards ceremony, sparking new partnerships and opportunities.

✔️Amplify Your Brand: Generate buzz and attract valuable attention from customers and media through extensive awards publicity.

✔️Ignite Innovation: Be inspired by the success stories of fellow finalists. Learn from their journeys and fuel your own ambitions for growth and innovation.

 

Who can Enter? 

The Hunter Region Business Excellence Awards are open to businesses of all sizes and across all industries located within the Hunter Region. Whether you’re a startup, a small business, or a large corporation, we encourage you to apply!

 

Categories:

We have a category for every business including: Hospitality & Tourism, Online Business, Personal Services, Professional Services, Health Services, Trades & Industry, Financial & Real Estate Services, Not-For-Profit Businesses, Home Based Business, General Business, Access & Inclusion, New Start Business and Customer Service

Young Entrepreneur, Business Woman of the Year and Business Leader of the Year

 

Gala Dinner where the finalists are celebrated and the winners are announced.

  • Glitz and Glory Gala: Mark your calendars for Friday, May 24th! The stunning Ben Ean Pokolbin will host our Gala Dinner, where the winners will be unveiled in a night of celebration.
  • Team Spirit on a Budget: Share the excitement with your crew! Our affordable gala dinner tickets are only $140 per person, designed for team spirit without breaking the bank.

Awards Open Monday 5th February 2024

Awards Applications Close Sunday 31st March 2024

Gala Dinner Friday 24th May 2024

Testimonials from past winners

Awards Sponsors

The awards would not be possible without the continued support of our sponsors.

 

Media Sponsor

hh colourlogo tagline

 

Gold Sponsors

jr complete painting gold sponsor
sjh communications gold sponsor
flooring xtra gold sponsor
ccc gold sponsor
tafe gold sponsor
chadwick blinds & shutters sponsor
maitland city council sponsor
mirror booth gold sponsor
low 2 lavis hardware & building gold sponsor
mba gold sponsor
av gold sponsor (1)
hrto gold sponsor

Silver Sponsors

jezweb silvet sponsor
holydene silver sponsor
blank silver sponsor 1
crackajac silver sponsor 1
blank silver sponsor 1

 

Sponsorship packages are now available for the 2024 Awards.

  • Sponsoring local small business awards is a great way to support your community and promote your business at the same time.
  • Increase your business awareness and visibility by placing your brand in front of a large audience of potential customers and partners.
  • Promotional materials, includes your logo on the website, social media, and printed materials including Newcastle Weekly.
  • Demonstrate your commitment to the community and show you are committed to supporting your community and the small businesses that make it up.
  • Attract positive publicity, Sponsoring the business awards is a great way to increase positive publicity for your business.
  • You may also be featured in local news articles and social media posts, which can help to raise your profile and help you reach a wider audience.

 

 

Congratulations to all past Winners of the

Hunter Region Business Excellence Awards

 

Hunter Region Business Excellence

28th Awards Winners 

 

Major Awards

Business of the Year

UAINE Candles

Business Leader of the Year

Scott Player

Highly Commended

Michael Maffey

Business Woman of the Year

Brodie White

Young Entrepreneur

Amy Foster

Highly Commended

Jahluvi Anashe Mtanda

Category Awards

Customer Service Whole Business

Beam Bookkeeping Pty Ltd

Highly Commended

Saddler’s Creek Wines

 

Customer Service Individual

Bryan Hampton

 

General Business

UAINE Candles

Highly Commended

KOUTCHI

 

Home Based Business

Picture This! Custom Framing

 

Not For Profit Business

The Mai-Wel Group

Highly Commended

Maitland Liquor Accord

 

Hospitality and Tourism

McCaffrey’s Estate

Highly Commended

Vines Restaurant at Hollydene Estate Wines

 

Internet Based Business

Jezweb

 

Financial & Real Estate Services

Merchant Business Brokers

Highly Commended

LJ Hooker Cessnock

 

New Start Business

Heart HR

 

Professional Services

Green Ink Design Studio

Highly Commended

Balanced Beans

 

Trade and Industry

Hunter Valley Flooring Xtra

 

Health Services

Australian Hypnotherapy College

Highly Commended

Expressions School of Dance, Barre & Co

 

Personal Services

Advanced school of beauty Maitland

 

Digital Business 

The Mai-Wel Group

Hunter Region Business Excellence

27th Awards Winners 

 

Major Awards

Business of the Year

Gymnastics 21

Business Leader of the Year

Shane Hamilton

Business Woman of the Year

Joplin Higgins

Young Entrepreneur

Amy Foster

Highly Commended

Josh Vought

Category Awards

Customer Service Whole Business

Beyond Ballooning

 

Customer Service Individual

Madeleine Simms

 

NEIS Business of the Year

Farmer Jess

 

New Start Business

Impressum

 

General Business

UAINE Candles

 

Home Based Business

Magnetic Shots Pty Ltd

 

Not For Profit Business

Newcastle MBA Group Training

Highly Commended

Survivor’s R Us Incorporated

 

Hospitality and Tourism

The Dairy, Dungog

Highly Commended

The Remington Muswellbrook

Financial & Real Estate Services

Ink Financial Solutions

 

Trade and Industry

Hunter Interior Design

Highly Commended

JR Complete Painting Pty Ltd

 

Health Services

Gymnastics 21

Highly Commended

Explore and Soar

 

Professional Services

Sincerus Mindset Coaching & Training

Highly Commended

McAllister Legal Services

Hunter Events Group

 

Personal Services

Salon Ten

 

Internet Based Business

Poppy Seed Media

Highly Commended

Australian Hypnotherapy College

Hunter Region Business Excellence

Awards Winners 2019

 

Major Awards

Business of the Year

Palfreyman Chartered Accountants

Business Leader of the Year

Peter Kirkwood

Highly Commended 

Ian Jones

Business Woman of the Year

Sarah-Jane Dunford

Young Entrepreneur

Jessica Rodgers

Category Awards

Customer Service Whole Business

Beyond Ballooning

 

Customer Service Individual

Julie Muir

 

NEIS Business of the Year

blu cosmos

 

New Start Business

Achieving Solutions Pty Ltd

Highly Commended 

Shaw & Bunner Legal Pty Ltd

 

General Business

Oz Tukka

Highly Commended 

Wild Learning

 

Home Based Business

Hunter Pet Motel Pty Ltd

 

Not For Profit Business

Newcastle MBA Group Training

Financial & Real Estate Services

The Garis Group

Highly Commended

Aussie Maitland

 

Trade and Industry

JR Complete Painting Pty Ltd

 

Health Services

Gymnastics 21

 

Professional Services

Palfreyman Chartered Accountants

 

Personal Services

Fresh Salon

 

Internet Based Business

Brugel Creative

 

Hospitality and Tourism

The Remington Muswellbrook

Highly Commended

Hospitality & Tourism Vines Restaurant at Hollydene Estate

Cessnock Performing Arts Centre

Hunter Region Business Excellence

Awards Winners 2018

 

Major Awards

Business of the Year

Genea Newcastle Pty Ltd

Business Leader of the Year

Andrew Beattie

Business Woman of the Year

Simone Palfreyman

Highly Commended 

Ann-Maria Martin

Young Entrepreneur

Samantha Nicholls

Category Awards

Customer Service Whole Business

Cessnock Performing Arts Centre

 

Customer Service Individual

Shane Meister

 

NEIS Business of the Year

Achieving Solutions Nursing Services

 

New Start Business

Gymnastics 21

Highly Commended 

True Chocolate & Ice Creamery Lounge

 

Aboriginal Business

McAllister Legal Services

 

General Business

Hunter Pet Motel Pty Ltd

 

Home Based Business

Magnetic Shots Pty Ltd

 

Not For Profit Business

Survivor’s R Us Incorporated

Highly Commended 

Newcastle MBA Group Training

Financial & Real Estate Services

Merchant Business Brokers

 

Trade and Industry

Coalfields Climate Control Pty Ltd

 

Health Services

Kirkwoods Institute of Karate

Highly Commended

Achieving Solutions Nursing Services

 

Professional Services

Genea Newcastle Pty Ltd

 

Personal Services

Salon 10

Highly Commended

Shear Abilities

 

Internet Based Business

Kurl Web

 

Hospitality and Tourism

Sarah Fenton – MTA Mobile Travel Agent

Hunter Region Business Excellence

Awards Winners 2017

 

Major Awards

Business of the Year

Remington Motor Inn   

 

 

Business Leader of the Year

Shane Fox

Merchant Business Brokers Pty Ltd

Business Woman of the Year

Natalie Mason

Conveyancing Service

 

Young Entrepreneur

Luke Ahearn

Thread and Ink

Category Awards

Customer Service Whole Business

Hunter Pet Motel   

 

Customer Service Individual

Lisa Peterson   LJ Hooker Cessnock/Kurri Kurri

 

NEIS Business of the Year

Gymnastics 21   

 

New Start Business

The Mine Shaft 

 

General Business

Newcastle Security (NSC) Pty Ltd

Highly Commended

Hunter Interior Design

Always Clear Pools N Spas

 

Home Based Business

Newcastle Heritage and Ghost Tours   

Highly Commended

Body and Mind 2000

 

Not For Profit Business

Towns with Hearts inc   

Highly Commended

Survivor’s R Us Incorporated

Financial & Real Estate Services

Merchant Business Brokers Pty Ltd   

 

Trade and Industry

MV Solar Pty Ltd   

 

Health Services

Genea Newcastle 

Highly Commended

Body and Mind 2000

 

Professional Services

Conveyancing Services 

Highly Commended

Palfreyman Chartered Accountant

 

Retail

Thread and Ink   

 

Hairdressing / Beauticians / Barbers 

Total Beauty and Health   

 

Internet Based Business

Jezweb   

 

Hospitality and Tourism

Remington Motor Inn

Highly Commended

Beyond Ballooning

Congratulations to the 2016 (23rd annual business awards) winners:

Hospitality and Tourism – Taste of the Country

Highly Commended – Remington Motor Inn 

Internet-based business – Jezweb

Highly Commended- Kurl Web

Hairdressing/Beauticians – Total Beauty and Health

Retail – Setsuko Ogishi Art Glass Studio

Business Services – TFC Services Pty Ltd

 Highly Commended- Kis Marketing

Health Services – Body & Mind 2000

Construction/Trades/etc. – Valley Electrical & Air Pty Ltd

Financial/Real Estate – Heffron Consulting Pty Ltd

Not for Profit – Newcastle MBA Group Training

Innovation – Beyond Ballooning

General Business– Newcastle Security (NSC) Pty Ltd

Home Based Business – Newcastle Heritage and Ghost Tours

New Start Business – Booksmart Accounting Solutions

Highly Commended- Premium Windows Pty Ltd

Highly Commended- Preventative Electrical Services Pty Ltd

Environmental – Banjos Bushland Retreat

NEIS – Curlew Cottage

Highly Commended – Artistical Stacey Cakes

Customer Service Business –  Conveyancing Services

Customer Service Individual-  Fiona Morris

Young Entrepreneur –  Brendan Hughes

Business Woman –  Christine Atkins

Business Leader –  Bryce Gibson

Business of the Year –  Taste Of the Country

Congratulations to the 2015 (22nd annual business awards) winners:

Arts Crafts and Giftware – Magic Starfish

Hospitality and Tourism – Beyond Ballooning

Highly Commended – All Australian Journeys

Internet-based business – Jezweb Pty Ltd

Hairdressing/Beauticians – Inspirations Hair Design

Highly Commended – Bliss Beauty and Body

Retail – West Tankers Pty Ltd

Business Services – Lifestyle Cleaning Services Pty Ltd   

Health Services – Kombat Academy

Highly Commended – Body and Mind 2000

Highly Commended – Gym Matrix Pty Ltd

Construction/Trades/etc. – Valley Electrical

Highly Commended – Smart Torque Automotive

Highly Commended – Jennings Print Group

Financial/Real Estate – Aussie Maitland

Not for Profit – Newcastle MBA Group Training & Personnel

Innovation – Deltawater Pty Ltd

Highly Commended – Mortels Sheepskin Factory

Home Based Business – Newcastle Heritage and Ghost Tours

New Start Business – TFC Services

Environmental – MV Solar Pty Ltd

NEIS – Aplus Care4All Pty Ltd

Highly Commended – Wildcraft Australia

Customer Service Business – Aussie Maitland

Customer Service Individual- Monique Hope

Highly Commended – Fiona Morris

Young Entrepreneur – Bryce Gibson

Business Woman – Stephanie Mortel

Highly Commended – Mellissa Gibson

Highly Commended – Christine Atkins

Business Leader – Tony Mortel

Business of the Year – Deltawater Pty Ltd

Congratulations To The 2014 Winners:

Arts Crafts and Giftware – Sue Linton

Hospitality and Tourism – Cupz n Crepes

Internet-based business – Jezweb Pty Ltd

Hairdressing/Beauticians – Jimmy Figg’s Bare Knuckle Barber

Highly Commended – Inspirations Hair Design

Retail – MV Solar

Business Services – Gascoigne Consulting

Highly Commended – Riskology

Health Services – Kirkwoods Institute of Karate

Construction/Trades/etc. – Newcastle Security

Highly Commended – Valley Electrical

Financial/Real Estate – LJ Hooker Cessnock & Kurri Kurri

Not for Profit – Newcastle MBA Group Training & Personnel

Innovation – Hummingbird Electronics

Home Based Business – Body and Mind 2000

New Start Business – Learning for Life Child Care & Preschool
AND (unbreakable tie – never happened before)
Kis Marketing

Environmental – Banjo’s Bushland Retreat

NEIS – Lamb’s Electrical Hunter Valley

Customer Service – Bliss Beauty & Body

Highly Commended – Monique Hope, LJ Hookers

Young Entrepreneur – Courtney Turton, Oxygen Allstars

Business Woman – Amanda Gascoigne, Gascoigne Consulting

Business Leader – Norman Ballard, Hummingbird Electronics

Business of the Year – Hummingbird Electronics

Congratulations to the 2013 winners:

Arts and Crafts

Wupa@Wanaruah

Restaurants and Café’s

Cupz N’ Crepes

Internet Based Business

Infosolve Pty Ltd

Hairdressing/Beauticians

Inspirations Hair Design

Retail

Mortels Sheepskin Factory

Business Services

Bottrell Business Consultants Pty Ltd

Health

Targeted Fitness

Construction/Home Improvements

Cronan’s Design and Drafting

General Business

Finook Industries

Finance/Real Estate

Aussie Maitland

Trades

Newcastle Security Centre

Tourism & Accommodation

Banjo’s Bushland Retrewat

Not For Profit

Ungooroo Aboriginal Corpopration

Innovation

Hummingbird Electronics Pty Ltd

Home Based Business

Colour Monkey

New Start

iGym 247 Kurri Kurri

Environmental Excellence

MV Solar Pty Ltd

NEIS

Oops! the Clown

Indigenous

Mindaribba Local Aboriginal Land Council

Customer Service

Cupz N’ Crepes

Business Woman of the Year

Stephanie Mortel

Young Entrepreneur of the Year

Bryce Gibson

Business of the Year

Banjo’s Bushland Retreat

Highly Commended

Hairdressing/Beauticians

Bella Cheveux Hair Nails & Beauty

Health

Kirkwoods’ Institute of Karate

New Start

Beyond Ballooning

Sacred Tree Markets

Business Woman of the Year

Ann Bartlett – Lifestyle Cleaning Services

Special Highly Commended

Not for Profit

ROADwhys (Hunter) NSW Inc.

Congratulations to the 2012 winners:

Arts and Crafts

Sue Linton Artist

Restaurants and Café’s

Cupz N’ Crepes

Fresh Produce

Ridgey Didge Pies

Hairdressing/Beauticians

Bella Cheveux Hair Nails and Beauty

Retail

Slices Delicatessen

Business Services

Bottrell Business Consultants Pty Ltd

Health

Kirkwoods’ Institute of Karate

Construction/Home Improvements

BMB Painting and Decorating

General Business

Priority Relocations

Finance/Real Estate

Hunter Valley Real Estate Kurri Kurri

Trades

Gecko Security

Tourism & Accommodation

Sunrise Bed & Breakfast

Non For Profit

Break Thru People Solutions

Innovation

Hummingbird Electronics Pty Ltd

Home Based Business

Colour Monkey

New Start

Lifestyle Cleaning Services

Environmental Excellence

Hunter Land Management Pty Ltd

NEIS

A-Z Book-keeping Australia Pty Ltd

Indigenous

Ungooroo Aboriginal Corporation

Customer Service LH

Ann Bartlett, Lifestyle Cleaning Services

Customer Service UH

Cherie Donavan, Segenhoe Inn Luxury Boutique Hotel and B&B

Business Woman of the Year

Lee Galloway

Highly Commended

Health

Body & Soul Health Works

Healthy Inspirations Maitland

Finance and Real-Estate

Aussie Maitland

Tourism & Accommodation

Segenhoe Inn Luxury Boutique Hotel and B&B

Hunter Valley Zoo

Customer Service Lower Hunter

Debbie Chenery, A-Z Bookkeeping Australia Pty Ltd

 

Photos from the Hunter Region Business Excellence Awards Gala Dinners