Chamber’s gala business awards celebration sees 32 honoured

A capacity dinner marked a successful Narrabri and District Chamber of Commerce Business Awards.

The chamber’s annual gala celebration was a joyful occasion for the business community, with 32 nominees successful in winning a prestigious trophy.

Businesses across the broad spectrum of sectors and industries were represented at Saturday’s celebration evening at The Crossing Theatre.

Local businesses were applauded by the audience and recognised for their service to the shire community, their innovation and enterprise.

The evening marked the 17th Narrabri and District Chamber of Commerce-hosted event, Comedian Lindsay Webb presided over the proceedings.

Chamber president Russell Stewart addressed the gathering of almost 300 people, prior to the presentation of awards.

Mr Stewart spoke of the chamber’s continued advocacy for Narrabri and its strength in the community.

The chamber has enjoyed continuous operation for almost 100 years.

Mr Stewart credited the success of the annual awards dinner to the support of the business community.

He also paid tribute to the event’s sponsors.

Mr Stewart said the continued sponsorship of the evening ensured the chamber could offer affordable tickets for the dinner.

This year, Santos is the naming rights sponsor of the event following Whitehaven Coal’s previous three-year role as the major sponsor.

Mr Stewart paid tribute to both companies for their support of the awards as well as support of the chamber.

“Narrabri chamber is your business chamber,” he told the awards dinner gathering.

“We’ve been around for 97 years unbroken. That’s a testament to the volunteers in the region.

“Everything chamber does is voluntary. Every cent we get we pour back into the community.”

Mr Stewart said the chamber plans to keep growing in the future.

“It is such a pleasure to represent the quality of the people inside the chamber,” he said.

“We take our role seriously.”

Following the success of the business awards, chamber will now turn its attention to the Narrabri Christmas Street Carnival to be held in December.

“We’ve tried to keep it as a community event,” Mr Stewart said of the street carnival.