Business awards launched for 2026

BUSINESS owners and staff came together recently to mark the launch of the 2026 Corangamite Business Awards.

Learning from others: Great Ocean Road’s Jo Birley was pleased to be able to speak to other businesses on Wednesday night.

Following the success from last year’s awards, Corangamite Shire Council has relaunched the awards to encourage residents to recognise the businesses they love.

Deputy mayor Cr Laurie Hickey said this year will see some changes to the awards, including a new category to encompass the diverse range of businesses within the shire.

“The trade business of the year is about including construction, manufacturing, plumbing, electrical, wholesale and retail – all of those groups will now be included in that new category,” he said.

This new category will recognise outstanding achievement, innovation and professionalism in the industrial and trades sector.

The Growers and Producers category, which celebrates those who contribute positively to the local economy and community and embody excellence within Corangamite’s thriving rural industries, has also been changed to include agribusiness services and processors who support growers and producers.

“These inclusions will make it broader and be able to include businesses that don’t necessarily run up and down the main streets but are on our back roads,” Cr Hickey said.

“Businesses also can now nominate themselves.

“I was talking to Michelle Elijah from Benallack’s Sports and she said Corangamite businesses are humble and tentative to promote what a great job they do.

“It’s a very simple four-question application form you need to go through, so it’s not a big deal and we’ll certainly make sure the process is as painless and as seamless as possible.

“Nominations close on March 16, so you have two weeks left to get your nominations in.”

The remaining four categories will continue as they were last year.

The Outstanding Customer Service category recognises businesses which provide outstanding customer service and demonstrate commitment to achieving excellence throughout the entire customer journey.

The Circular Solutions category recognises businesses which have demonstrated a commitment to sustainable and circular economy practices.

Future Shapers are businesses which have used innovative solutions to improve their industry sector or business community on a customer, social, environmental or business efficiency level.

The Tourism Excellence recognises businesses which have contributed to the visitor economy with a commitment to improve social, economic or environmental impacts, providing a positive destination experience that increases visitation to the Corangamite Shire.

The evening also saw The Commercial venue manager Donna Conheady speaking about the recently completed renovations at the pub, which hosted the launch event.

Guest speakers also included last year’s Tourism Excellence winners Keayang Maar Vineyard’s Caitlin and Jerram Wurlod and Future Shapers category winners Mikayla Hein and Luke Walker from Effluent Solutions Australia.

Attendees were then free to network over nibbles and drinks with other business owners as well as Corangamite Shire Council staff and councillors.

Lake Keilambete Ward councillor Geraldine Conheady said the business awards have proven to be a positive event for the shire.

“Over the last few years, we have been having conversations about businesses which are really innovative and have a capability to bring so much to the shire and offering so much to the community,” she said.

“We created the business awards to provide an avenue for those businesses to show us what they do and what their capabilities are, and also for the community to get a window into what businesses are operating in the Corangamite Shire and the things they offer.

“Even as councillors, it’s been a surprise to know what businesses are operating within the Corangamite Shire, the range of services and opportunities they are providing – it’s something of real value to Corangamite and contributing to the growth of community, shire and economy.

“The business awards are an opportunity to do that and to encourage investment and other new businesses to operate in the Corangamite Shire.”

Nominations are open until Monday, March 16, and nominations forms can be submitted online at www.corangamite.vic.gov.au/Business/Corangamite-Business-Awards/Nominate.