In challenging economic times for many local businesses, the Ballina Shire business community will come together next month to celebrate success, resilience and innovation at the 2026 Ballina Shire Business Excellence Awards.

Jointly presented by Business NSW and the Ballina Chamber of Commerce, this year’s awards attracted a record number of entries, resulting in the largest-ever field of finalists across 23 categories.

The awards are supported by the Alstonville Wollongbar Chamber of Commerce and Business Lennox Head, highlighting the strong collaboration across the shire’s business communities.

A total of 62 finalists have been named, representing industries ranging from retail and hospitality to health, finance, construction and community services.

The finalists are:

• Wave Publishing

• Village Fresh

• Victoria Williams – BaptistCare at Home Far North Coast

• Todd Yourell – St Andrew’s Ballina

• The Olive Branch Support & Wellness

• The Hound and Feline

• Sunshine Speech & Allied Health Services

• Stephen Pardon – BaptistCare at Home Far North Coast

• STE

• St Andrew’s

• Southern Cross Credit Union

• Sistability

• Scott Redford – Ballina RSL

• Scoops and Candy Ballina

• Rhys Carmichael – Avid Constructions & Contracting

• Rebecca Hetherington – St Andrew’s

• Radhika Thacker – Summerland Bank

• Plateau Tyres

• Olivia Guy – Sistability

• Nourish & Support Dietitian Services

• Noah’s Mini Golf

• New Directions Online Realty

• New Age Electrical Co. | Lock Out And Live

• NeverL8Mate Network Provider

• Natasha Garred – Village Fresh

• Natalie Leslie – Harcourts Northern Rivers

• Marijaneta Tomasic – House of Marko

• Lucie Regan – Sunshine Speech & Allied Health Services

• Lennox Head Luxury Homes and Beach Shacks

• Lennox Head Lions Club Inc

• La Romana

• Keira Leslie – Harcourts Northern Rivers

• Katrina Parry – Wave Publishing

• Joanne Horan – St Andrews Village

• Jelts Martial Arts and Self Defence

• James Hancock – Cherry Street Sports

• ISM Ballina

• House of Marko

• HOME Alstonville

• Familia Finance

• Ethan Brown – Club Lennox Sports

• ENV Solutions

• Ella Relf – Club Lennox Sports

• Edmonds Conveyancing

• DT’s Barrel Hire

• Dr Moose

• Deeann Montgomery – Harcourts Northern Rivers

• Craig Wallace – The Olive Branch Support & Wellness

• Conscious Women Connect

• Coastal Bin Busters

• ClubIT

• Claire Tyson – Ballina RSL

• Chris Photiou – The Trident Fish & Grill

• Carissa Hendrikx – Nourish & Support

• Byron Digital

• Brendon Garred – Village Fresh

• Biala

• BaptistCare at Home Far North Coast

• Ballina Shire Meals on Wheels Inc

• Ballina RSL

• Ballina Buslines

• Avid Constructions & Contracting

• Anthea Scott – Ballina Shire Meals on Wheels Inc

• Alder Group

 

Winners will be announced at a gala awards evening at the Ballina RSL auditorium on Saturday, July 11, from 6pm.

The red-carpet event will include the awards presentation, a three-course dinner, drinks package, headline comedy entertainment and an after-party.

Organisers say the night provides an opportunity for local businesses to celebrate achievements, network with colleagues and recognise the important contribution the business sector makes to the Ballina Shire community.

Tickets are now on sale, with discounts available for tables of 10.

Tickets and more information: Ballina Chamber Business Awards page

 

Main image: the team from Home Alstonville pictured during the 2025 local awards season, back as finalists for 2026