The Turret towers over the competition at business awards

THE 2025 Federation University Commerce Ballarat Business Excellence Awards Gala Night saw the city’s enterprising people shine last night, Thursday 21 August.

Held at the Mercure Ballarat Hotel and Convention Centre, 600 attendees celebrated and highlighted the strength, success, innovation and resilience of Ballarat’s business community.

The Turret Cafe & Catering took home the major Federation University Business of the Year award, and won the Central Highlands Growers & Producers Hub Restaurants, Cafes and Pubs Business Award.

The Regional Development Australia Grampians Growers and Producers People’s Choice Award went to Meredith Dairy, and the Western Bulldogs Community Spirit People’s Choice was SIXT Ballarat.

The Power FM SME Business Award went to Community Bank Buninyong, the Ballarat Times News Group Micro/Home Based Business Award was presented to Hair Identity Studio, and the Hip Pocket Workwear and Safety (Ballarat) Retail Business Award was won by The Source Bulk Foods Ballarat.

SIP Champagne Bar was the Mercure Ballarat Hotel and Convention Centre Newcomer Awardee, the Federation University Health and Wellbeing Business Award went to Ballarat Women’s Clinic, and the City of Ballarat Creative Industries Business Award was presented to The Scape Artist.

Soldiers Hill Allied Health received the Haymes Paint David Haymes Family Business Scholarship, and the Bartlett Manufacturing Family Business Award went to Lateral Plains.

Ballarat Community Health was the AssistU Care and Support Services Accessibility and Inclusion Awardee, Ballarat Group Practice won the Nevett Wilkinson Frawley Large Business Award, and James Vac Solutions went home with the Gawk Outdoor Innovation Award.

The Stoke Design Co Professional Services Business Award went to Grantus, the Central Highlands Water Trade Business Award was presented to Smith and Sons Ballarat, and The WIN Network Customer Service Awardee was First Aid Training Group.

More reporting on the gala night will be in the next edition of the Ballarat Times on Friday 29 August.