Business awards to return

In another welcome return to post-COVID normalcy, the annual Narrabri District Chamber of Commerce Whitehaven Coal Business Awards dinner is on again.

Chamber president Russell Stewart said he was delighted to confirm that the awards presentation dinner, traditionally a gala event on the business and community calendar, would be staged on Saturday, September 3.

“The awards presentation dinner is back, and we guarantee, will be bigger and better than ever. The chamber anticipates another sold out event.

“This is a celebration of our business community and great opportunity for everyone to get together and applaud local business enterprise.”

The 2022 business awards will be the 16th staged by the chamber.
The 2019 event was the last before the COVID hiatus forced the cancellation of the 2020 and 2021 awards.

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 been fielding many enquiries about the return of the awards night – it is much anticipated,” said Mr Stewart.

“This will again be a capacity event at The Crossing Theatre and again we will have to cap the audence at 300 people,” said Mr Stewart.

The community will be invited to nominate local businesses for recognition and congratulations by their business peers and the wider community.

“Our local businesses have been hit hard by drought and COVID but persevered and gone ahead,” Mr Stewart said.

“The chamber applauds its business community and invites everyone to join in.”

Tickets for the business awards presentation dinner will be available early in July, Mr Stewart said.

$500,000 investment

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.

“Chamber members are proud to stage what will be their 16th event,” said president Russell Stewart.

“The business awards is a fantastic recognition for our local businesses, but also a significant boost to our community.

“Through the annual awards, our members have so far been the catalyst for an investment of more than $500,000 into The Crossing Theatre venue.

“The awards dinner is a major client of the venue, bringing a capacity audience to The Crossing Theatre for each event.”

Mr Stewart said the enthusiasm and support for the annual awards promotion was a testament to the resilience and innovation of the local business community in challenging times.

“We are fortunate in our district to be underpinned by our innovative agricultural industries, the major driver of the local economy, supplemented so strongly by our energy industries.

“The chamber again thanks industry supporters for their continuing, generous sponsorship of the business awards,” Mr Stewart said.

“We rely on corporate and community support. The chamber does not receive government or council funding.”