Business NSW has announced the finalists for the 2025 New England North West Business Awards.
This year, 91 businesses and 39 individuals are in the running to take home one of 19 prestigious regional awards and the opportunity to represent the New England North West at the Business NSW State Business Awards in October.
Business NSW regional director for the New England North West, Diane Gray congratulated the finalists, acknowledging the record response to this year’s program.
“We are thrilled with the record number of entries in 2025, and the calibre of nominations from across the region has been outstanding,” Ms Gray said.
“Our judges faced an extremely difficult task in selecting this year’s finalists. Every business that entered, and each individual who was nominated, should be particularly proud of their efforts.”
The New England North West Business Awards serve as the official pathway to the State Business Awards, hosted by Business NSW. Winners from local chamber programs, including Tamworth, Glen Innes and Tenterfield, qualify as regional finalists, adding to the prestige of this announcement.
Proudly supported by Joblink Plus, all entries are independently assessed by a panel of experienced judges.
This year, finalists represent businesses of all sizes and industries, with the introduction of a new award category in 2025 – the Outstanding Visitor Economy Collaboration Award. This category recognises innovative tourism initiatives and partnerships that are making a positive impact on the region’s visitor economy.
“Tourism and events are critical drivers of visitation and revenue in our local economies,” said Ms Gray.
“The new award acknowledges the growing number of successful collaborations between tourism operators, businesses and the community.
“Whether a finalist wins an award or not, the application process itself is invaluable, with feedback from the judges offering insights that will strengthen business planning for the future.”
Plans are now well underway for the New England North West Business Awards Gala Presentation Night, which will be held at the Armidale Ex-Services Club on Friday, September 19. Tickets are now available to the public.
For more information, visit www.businessnsw.com and head to the events section, or follow the Business NSW New England North West Facebook page at www.facebook.com/BusinessNENW .
2025 New England North West Business Award Finalists
Outstanding Community Organisation presented by Santos
BackTrack Youth Works
Community College Northern Inland
Glen Innes Pre School
Joblink Plus
Rural Financial Counselling Service Northern Region
Sora Community Services
Tamworth Meals on Wheels
Tenterfield Food Hub
Outstanding Visitor Experience
Austin Tourist Park, Tamworth
Ben’s Falls Retreat
CH Boutique Hotel & Apartments
Deano’s Smoked Trout
Stonefruit
Excellence in International Business presented by Bell Partners
SierraTek Global
Excellence in Sustainability
Austin Tourist Park
GSG Laboratories Tamworth
Old Farm Pastoral
Seasons of New England
South Tamworth Bowling Club
The Alternate Root
Outstanding New Business presented by AM Printing
Callie Pilates
Connecting With Bricks Inc
Highlands Earthworks and Fabrication
Modern Community Solutions Armidale
Nurture and Nourish Lactation
Sage Wealth Builders
Tenterfield Soap Co
The Bolt Inn
Outstanding Micro Business
Acacia Function Centre
Creating Focus Social Media
Seasons of New England
Sera J Wright Photography
She’s My Travel Agent
Sleepy Merino
Walcha Coffee
Wall’s Honey Co
Outstanding Small Business presented by Telstra
Ben’s Falls Retreat
Brooklyn Quarry
C7EVEN Communications
Camp Grounds
Focus on Function
Little Nook and Co
SierraTek Global
Southside Kitchen
Outstanding Large Business
Australian Mining & Exploration Title Services
Many Fabrication & Engineering
Partner Now Property
Powerhouse Hotel Tamworth by Rydges
Tamworth Aboriginal Medical Service
Tamworth City Toyota
The Alternate Root
Townes Group Operations
Excellence in Diversity & Inclusion presented by NBN Co
Central Hospitality Group
Costa Guyra Glasshouses
GoCo Community Care
Holistic Recovery
South Tamworth Bowling Club
Tamworth City Toyota
Outstanding Local Chamber presented by Business NSW
Gunnedah Chamber of Commerce & Industry
Tamworth Business Chamber
Tenterfield Chamber of Tourism, Industry and Business
Outstanding Visitor Economy Collaboration presented by Armidale Servies Club
Awaken Walcha on a Sunday
One 2 Boxing – Annual Fight Night
Kamilaroi Highway Inc
Excellence in Innovation presented by Armidale Regional Council
B & B Legal
Ben’s Falls Retreat
GSG Laboratories Tamworth
SierraTek Global
TACCO & TRC Mara Ngali Partnership Agreement
The Drug Detection Agency
Outstanding Employer of Choice (under 20 employees)
C7EVEN Communications
Camp Grounds
Espire Occupational Therapy
Focus on Function
Nutrien Harcourts Tenterfield
Sage Services Group
Outstanding Employer of Choice (over 21 employees) presented by Whitehaven
Central Hospitality Group
Holistic Recovery
Hunter New England and Central Coast PHN
Partner Now Property
Slack-Smith Partners
Tamworth City Toyota
Outstanding Employee presented by Collective Media
Andy Clarke – Brooklyn Quarry
Bernadette McIntyre – Townes Group
Brad Killen – PCYC Armidale
Courtney Renshaw – C7EVEN Communications
Geoff Bower – Andromeda Industries
Juliann Merrick – Many Fabrication
Tamara Lawrence – Holistic Recovery
Zachary Willis – Glen Innes Golf Club
Outstanding Young Business Leader presented by WIN Network
Ashleigh Foy – Nurture & Nourish Lactation
Jack Thomas – Nutrien Harcourts Tenterfield
James Croft – The Welder’s Dog Inverell
Jessica Edmunds – Focus on Function
Josh Turner – JT Photographic Studios
Katelyn Spokes – LJ Hooker
Matthew Velcich – Country Wide Property
Tate Shaw – Many Fabrication & Engineering
Outstanding Business Leader under 20 employees presented by Lloyd Sign Co
Halie Elliott – Innerbella
Louise Whitton – Focus on Function
Martin Howes – Centrepoint Tamworth
Matthew Bettesworth – Camp Grounds
Michael Broekman – Namoi Valley Bricks
Michelle Knott – Brooklyn Quarry
Outstanding Business Leader over 21 employees
Berdine Warne – Little Birdie Enterprises
Bhavin Patel – Holistic Recovery
Damian Sheridan – WIN Network
Jacqui Powell – Partner Now
Lynda Townsend – Sora Community Services
Mark Slack-Smith – Slack-Smith Partners
