Business Excellence Awards finalists announced

Finalists in the 2026 Federation University Commerce Ballarat Business Excellence Awards were announced this morning at Tech Park Central’s Emerging Technologies Hub.

The finalist enterprises and businesspeople are featured across 17 award categories including two peoples’ choice awards and a new Young Business Person of the Year honour.

Winners will be announced at a gala night at the Mercure Ballarat Hotel and Convention Centre on Thursday 27 August where a Business of the Year will also be crowned.

“This year’s judges were impressed by the exceptionally high standard of applications submitted,” said judging panel chair Peter Murphy.

“The quality and thoughtfulness demonstrated across the entries made the judging process both rewarding and challenging.

“Thank you to all applicants for the time, effort and dedication invested in their submissions, your commitment to excellence within your businesses and the community was evident throughout.”

Ballarat’s hardworking businesspeople were decribed by Commerce Ballarat CEO Jodie Gillett as heroes that should be celebrated.

“The economic climate is beyond strained, and the ability of many Ballarat businesses to remain not only positive but also successful is truly admirable,” she said.

“We were thrilled to see so many applications this year and the diversity of our entrants and finalists is fantastic to see.

“Each and every one of them has taken a key step in evolving their business by willingly placing themselves under review, to both celebrate achievements and uncover areas fit for improvement.

“Today we congratulate and acknowledge the finalists, but we also honour the strength and resilience of the entire Ballarat business community.”

The finalists are…

Calacare Accessibility and Inclusion Award
McCallum Disability Services
Royal South Street Society
The Underground Movement

City of Ballarat Creative Industries Business Award
Ballarat International Foto Biennale
Hair Identity Studio
The Pottage

The WIN Network Customer Service Award
Mason-Brown IT
Maggie & Kate
The Underground Movement

oeDigital Ethical Business Award
Simplex Insurance Solutions
Springhill Farm Australia

Bartlett Manufacturing Family Business Award
DW Controls
Shade ‘n’ Sales
Traffic Management Solutions Victoria

Ballarat Group Practice Health and Wellbeing Business Award
ANSA Health Ballarat
Creative Butterfly Expressive Arts Therapy
Dowling View Equine Centre

Gawk Outdoor Innovation Award
DW Controls
Springhill Farm Australia
T and K Support Services

Ballarat Times News Group Large Business/Organisation Award
Alevo
Calacare
Shade ‘n’ Sales

Stoke Design Newcomer Award
Mondegreen Cafe
The Law Collective
Traffic Management Solutions Victoria

Mercure Ballarat Hotel and Convention Centre Professional Services Business Award
Inception Planning
Progress Accounting
The Concept Distillery

Nevett Wilkinson Frawley Restaurants, Cafes and Pubs Business Award
Maggie & Kate
Mondegreen Cafe
Mr Jones Dining

3BA Retail Business Award
Collins Booksellers on Lydiard
Crossroads Trading – Ballan
Go Vita Ballarat

The Turret Café SME Business Award
Bloomy Days
Lateral Plains
Karon Farm Coffee

Central Highlands Water Trade Business Award
Hair Identity Studio
Twomey Homes
Vic Urban Plumbing

Power FM Young Business Person of the Year
Peter Dawson, Mondegreen Cafe
Renee Debono, The Law Collective
Shelley Karbanenko, The Underground Movement

PEOPLE’S CHOICE AWARDS
Community Bank Buninyong Community Spirit People’s Choice Award
Step Up Support Services
Piano Bar Ballarat
Maggie & Kate

Regional Development Australia Grampians Growers and Producers People’s Choice Award
Summerfield Winery and Accommodation
Green Eggs
Brooklands Free Range Farms