Recommend a business for 30th Excellence Awards

NOMINATIONS are now open for customers, employees and business owners to put forward a deserving local business (including their own) for the Bendigo Bank and Be.Bendigo Business Excellence Awards 2025.

This year marks the 30th edition of the program, which now features 20 categories, including the coveted Business of the Year Award, the Regional Women’s Business Award (presented by Bendigo UFS) and the Technology and Digital Award (presented by Triple M Bendigo).

Further categories include the Trade and Construction Award (presented by Bendigo TAFE), the Climate Leader Award (presented by Greater Bendigo Climate Collaboration) and Leader of the Year (presented by Simon Rosa Landscaping).

The BBEAs are Greater Bendigo’s largest and most prestigious celebration of local business and will culminate in the Awards Gala Dinner on Thursday 14 August.

Speaking at this week’s launch event, Be.Bendigo CEO Hayley Tibbett said this year’s anniversary was incredibly special to herself, both professionally and personally.

“I began my journey with the awards as a nominee, became a category winner (Excellence in Hospitality 2018, Indulge Belgian Fine Chocolates), joined the Be.Bendigo board, and now I have the honour of leading the organisation as its CEO,” she said.

“These awards do more than recognise great business(es) – they spotlight the people, passion and positive impact that shape our region.

“If you know a business that’s making a difference, now is the perfect time to give them the recognition they deserve.”

Dr Susan Bibby from myvet Strathfieldsaye and Snip and Chip Low Cost Pet Desexing, which won the Customer Focused Award last year, also spoke at the launch.

She said the great thing about the awards is that they give customers and clients the chance to nominate a business that’s done “something special, something a little bit extra, to help them.”

“I remember very clearly the first time our businesses were nominated, I was just so proud that our clients thought we were doing a great job, and that they were able to say that.”

Nominations close at midnight sharp on Wednesday 30 April and can be submitted via the Business Excellence Awards website.