Local businesses in the spotlight as chamber business awards returns

Narrabri and District Chamber of Commerce will again celebrate local businesses as it prepares for its annual gala awards dinner.

Chamber president Russell Stewart confirmed that the presentation dinner, a highly sought after gala event on the business and community calendar, would be staged on Saturday, September 13.

In a new addition to the business awards dinner, the chamber will welcome comedian and ventriloquist Darren Carr as the evening’s entertainment.

“The awards night is a celebration of our business community and great opportunity for everyone to get together and applaud local business enterprise,” Mr Stewart said.

The 2025 Santos-sponsored Narrabri Chamber of Commerce Business Awards will be the 19th staged by the chamber.

This year’s event will again see local small businesses acknowledged across the spectrum of their activities in many categories from innovation to customer service.

“The chamber has already been fielding enquiries about the awards night,” Mr Stewart said.

Mr Stewart anticipates the gala dinner will again be a capacity event at The Crossing Theatre. The gala dinner typically sells out.

The community has also been invited to nominate local businesses for recognition and congratulations by their business peers and the wider community.

“The chamber applauds its business community and invites everyone to join in,” Mr Stewart said.

“Businesses and individuals should acknowledge our local businesses and staff for their great service.”

Tickets for the business awards presentation dinner are expected to go on sale soon and Mr Stewart encouraged people and businesses to purchase tickets as soon as they are available to guarantee a spot at the dinner.

Ticket prices this year will remain at $110 for chamber members and $125 for non-members. A three-course meal and drinks package is incorporated into the ticket price.

“The awards dinner is highly subsidised thanks to the generous support of our sponsors,” Mr Stewart said.

“It is a great opportunity for businesses to come along and celebrate their achievements, and their staff, knowing that everything is included in that ticket price.”

The annual Narrabri and District Chamber of Commerce Business Awards is one of the longest established, and most successful, local business promotions across the northern inland region.

“It is the biggest business event in the region by far,” Mr Stewart said.

This year, Santos continues as the naming rights sponsor of the event for the third year following on from Whitehaven Coal.

The awards are also generously supported by local and regional businesses and organisations.

Nomination forms are available on the chamber’s website and at outlets throughout the community, including The Courier office.

Completed nomination forms can be emailed to the chamber, sent to the chamber’s PO Box or left at The Courier office.