Nominations open for Business Excellence Awards

If there’s a local business you love, now is the time to nominate it for the 2026 Federation University Commerce Ballarat Business Excellence Awards.

Nominations across a wide range of different business categories are now open until 7 April following an official launch event held at the Emerging Technologies Hub at Ballarat Tech Park Central last Thursday.

Federation University director of co-operative engagement Helen Ryan, Federation University chancellor Dr Philip Freier and Commerce Ballarat chair Darren Trigg. Photos: EVIE LAMB

“Nominate now,” said Commerce Ballarat CEO Jodie Gillett, encouraging everyone to nominate a local business that they think deserves recognition for doing great things.

“We know there are many amazing businesses in our city.

Chris Packer of Chris Packer and Associates and Josh Corcoran of Calacare.

“The process is valuable and if you are chosen as a finalist or a winner the benefits are endless.”

The awards provide incentive for local business owners and operators to thoroughly analyse their enterprise, assess their strengths, identify areas that need improvement and celebrate their achievements.

City of Ballarat’s Cr Ben Taylor and nbn Local’s Jennifer Ganske.

The awards consist of 18 categories and are open to all businesses that are based and operating in Ballarat and the surrounding district with the Regional Development Australia Grampians Growers and Producers People’s Choice Award also open to businesses across the wider RDA Grampians region.

Lindy Packer of Chris Packer and Associates with Calacare’s Craig Mahar and Emma-Lea McIntosh.

Commerce Ballarat chair Darren Trigg said entering is a chance for self-assessment, promotion, marketing and networking.

Mr Trigg said besides the significant benefits that the awards bring, they also enrich the wider community and create a much-anticipated excuse for a party at the culmination of the process.

Katrine Taylor of Maggie and Kate and Matt Britton of Cyclescape.

As part of the awards process, an independent panel of judges shortlist entries with the top three applicants in each category progressing to become finalists who are then visited by the judges in person.

BMI’s Liam Mudge and Vijay Kumar of QuantumSync.

Winners of the 2026 Federation University Commerce Ballarat Business Excellence Awards will be announced at a gala presentation dinner on Thursday 27 August.

More details and nominations are through the Commerce Ballarat website.