Awards shine light on local business innovation

THE search is on for the Surf Coast’s leading businesses, with entries opening for the 2026 Torquay Business Awards.

Presented by Commerce Torquay in partnership with the Rotary Club of Torquay, the awards return for their fifth year, celebrating business success, leadership and innovation across the region.

Businesses from Torquay and the wider Surf Coast are being encouraged to enter, with the awards recognising operators of all sizes, from sole traders and start-ups through to long-established businesses.

This year’s program features 11 awards, including the Outside the Box award, for creatives who don’t fit into traditional award categories, and the coveted Business of the Year title.

Commerce Torquay president Sarah Minter said the awards had evolved significantly since launching in 2022.

“For me, this has always been about that chance to really celebrate the diversity of the businesses that we’ve got locally,” she said.

“I love seeing that we are getting more entries year on year. The quality of those entries is so high, and I absolutely love celebrating the businesses who’ve done so well.”

This year’s entry process has been simplified to make it more accessible for businesses.

 

The changes allow entrants to choose one core award category that best reflects their operation before selecting any additional bonus award categories they would like to be considered for.

These bonus categories include Best New Business, Sustainability and Business Leader of the Year.

The nomination process has been removed this year to avoid confusion.

“If you know a brilliant business, you need to tap them on the shoulder and tell them to enter,” Minter said.

She encouraged businesses entering the awards to provide practical examples of their success and impact.

“We want to know what the business is about,” she said.

“Imagine we know nothing and really try to make it so that the judges are able to get a vision of what you’re doing, with solid examples.”

The responses, she said, do not need to be long or complex and dot points can be used if preferred.

“It’s a great opportunity for businesses to reflect on what they’re doing well,” Minter said.

“When you take that step back and reflect on something you’ve done over the years, often you realise there’s a lot to celebrate.”

Entries close 10 July. Head to commercetorquay.com.au