Northern Rivers celebrates best in business

EXCELLENCE across the Northern Rivers business community was celebrated in Ballina on Saturday night, with Collins Hume taking out the top honour at the 2025 Northern Rivers Business Awards.

The Ballina-based firm won Business of the Year after also receiving awards for Excellence in Business and Professional Services and Excellence in Sustainability, with team member Kirra Connell highly commended in the Outstanding Trainee of the Year category.

Collins Hume chief executive Chris Atkinson said the recognition reflected the strength of the whole team.

“These awards reflect the dedication of our entire team, who strive every day to deliver with excellence, innovate with purpose and make a positive difference in our community,” he said.

Business NSW Northern Rivers regional director Jane Laverty said more than 240 entries were received this year.

“The calibre of businesses was nothing short of outstanding and every finalist deserved high recognition,” she said.

“The achievement for Collins Hume is well deserved and reflects a sustained commitment to integrity, leadership and contribution to community.

“This year’s finalists and winners should feel incredibly proud to be named as the region’s leading businesses and leaders for 2025.”

Regional winners

Lismore’s Norco Co-operative was recognised for Excellence in Manufacturing, while Mountain Blue won Excellence in Agriculture and Primary Industries.

Newton Denny Chapelle’s Damian Chapelle was highly commended as an Outstanding Business Leader.

Tweed Shire firms dominated several categories, with SEE Civil named Excellence in Large Business, McGloin Baker taking out Small Business and Employer of Choice (under 20 employees), and Care Easy winning Outstanding New Business.

Nikki Wormald from CASPA was awarded Outstanding Young Business Leader, while The Community Transport Company was named Outstanding Community Organisation.

Byron Bay businesses were also among the winners, with Creative Road claiming Excellence in Creative Industries and Vision Walks – Eco Tours awarded Excellence in Sustainable Tourism. Human Nature Adventure Therapy was highly commended in the Community Organisation category.

Clarence Valley businesses picked up major awards, including DIMATTIA & CO Group for Excellence in Retail and Personal Services and the Jacaranda Festival for Outstanding Visitor Economy Collaboration. Maclean Medical won Excellence in Innovation.

Ballina winners included Gather By, which received the award for Excellence in International Business, Biala Support Services as Employer of Choice (21+ employees) with chief executive Lisa Smith named Outstanding Business Leader, Sistability for Excellence in Diversity and Inclusion, Home Alstonville for Outstanding Visitor Experience, and Avid Constructions and Contracting for Excellence in Construction.

State awards next

Winners of state-aligned categories will now represent the Northern Rivers at the NSW Business Awards in Sydney on October 29.

“I am very much looking forward to seeing Team Northern Rivers, our regional winners, represent our broader business community of over 30,000 businesses on the State stage,” Laverty said.