Unified awards program to celebrate businesses across the shire

THE Alstonville Wollongbar Chamber of Commerce will be incorporated as a key part of the Ballina Business Awards this year.

A collaboration with the Ballina Chamber of Commerce will see one single awards night to be held on Saturday, 11 July at the Ballina RSL Club.

The Alstonville Wollongbar Chamber will play a key part at the event with a dedicated Plateau Business of the Year award.

“We believe this collaborative approach will create a stronger, united celebration of business excellence across the entire shire, while reducing duplication and making it easier for businesses to participate,” a spokesperson from the Alstonville chamber said.

“Importantly, there will still be a dedicated Plateau Business of the Year award, recognising the outstanding businesses that make our local community so special.

The combined awards program will feature 26 categories covering areas including innovation, sustainability, employee recognition and business growth.

Ballina Chamber executive officer Jon Dickson said last year’s event attracted a record number of entries with hundreds of people attended the gala dinner.

“There are so many businesses that come along on the night, the atmosphere is amazing, it’s quite electric,” he said.

“The format that we do really resonates with people because the night doesn’t drag on. It’s fast-moving and people have a lot of fun.”

The awards program is designed to celebrate excellence across the business community, with winners progressing to regional and state competitions.

Finalists will be announced ahead of a gala awards ceremony.

Entries can be made at ballinachamber.com.au/awards-2026/ and were expected to remain open until Monday, 1 June.