Congratulations to all of our 2026 Winners and Highly Commended Recipients!
This year saw a record number of submissions and categories so closely contested that several needed to go back to judges to confirm the winners and for the first time, three businesses were awarded Highly Commended due to the incredibly close scores.
Special mentions must go to our supporters this year, who made running such an intensive program possible. Our Event Partner OCTEC limited, Venue Partner Banksia Orange and Major Sponsors Western Care NSW, Orange City Council and Centuria as well as all of our category sponsors and those who pitched in to bring the Gala together.
The Board are incredibly proud of the calibre of businesses in our region and are looking forward to coordinating an even stronger 2027 Awards Program celebrating our business community.
Without further ado, here are your 2026 Winners…
2026 Outstanding Business of the Year - Neweys
Individual Categories
OUTSTANDING EMPLOYEE
Proudly supported by Integral Skills
Winner: Brooke Watts – Bralca 2.0 Pty Ltd
OUTSTANDING YOUNG BUSINESS LEADER
Proudly supported by Hotel Canobolas
Winner: Jessica Altadonna – Outback Fencing & Steel Supplies
OUTSTANDING YOUNG BUSINESS LEADER
Proudly supported by Hotel Canobolas
Winner: Jessica Altadonna – Outback Fencing & Steel Supplies
OUTSTANDING BUSINESS LEADER
(20 Employees & Under)
Proudly supported by Orange Ex-Services Club
Winner: Marea Ruddy – AccessLife Support Services
OUTSTANDING BUSINESS LEADER
(21 Employees & Over)
Winner: Matthew Molloy – Integral Skills PTY LTD
General Categories
OUTSTANDING NEW BUSINESS
Winner: RWC Central West
OUTSTANDING COMMUNITY ORGANISATION
Proudly supported by Bank Orange
Winner: Wangarang
EXCELLENCE IN INNOVATION
Proudly supported by Inland Digital
Winner: Ross Hill Wines
EXCELLENCE IN DIVERSITY & INCLUSION
Proudly supported by Newmont Cadia
Winner: Neweys
EMPLOYER OF CHOICE (20 EMPLOYEES & UNDER)
Winner: Health in Mind Orange
EMPLOYER OF CHOICE (21 Employees & Over)
Winner: Neweys
Industry Categories
EXCELLENCE IN MANUFACTURING, TRADE & INDUSTRY
Proudly supported by Newmont Cadia
Winner: JA Schiller Building
Highly Commended: Outback Fencing & Steel Supplies
EXCELLENCE IN PERSONAL & LIFESTYLE SERVICES
Winner: CosMedic Collective
Highly Commended: High Impact Martial Arts and Health Studio
EXCELLENCE IN RETAIL
Winner: Hive Grove
EXCELLENCE IN HOSPITALITY & TOURISM
Proudly supported by Orange360
Winner: Badlands Brewery & Taproom
EXCELLENCE IN PROFESSIONAL SERVICES
(4 EMPLOYEES & UNDER)
Winner: Riot Digital
EXCELLENCE IN PROFESSIONAL SERVICES
(5 EMPLOYEES & OVER)
Winner: AccessLife Support Services
People's Choice Categories
ORANGE’S TRADE STAR
Winner: Mitch Sidman – Sidman Construction Pty Ltd
ORANGE’S CUSTOMER SERVICE STAR
Winner: Bettina O’Callaghan – Wangarang
ORANGE’S CREATIVE TALENT
Proudly supported by Charles Sturt University
Winner: Saskia Jones – Prim & Platter
ORANGE’S FAVOURITE BUSINESS
Proudly supported by Southern Cross Austereo, Triple M
Winner: Wangarang
Major Business Categories
EXCELLENCE IN MICRO BUSINESS
Winner: Riot Digital
EXCELLENCE IN SMALL BUSINESS
Proudly Supported by Western Care NSW
Winner: Badlands Brewery & Taproom
Highly Commended: Airworx Group
EXCELLENCE IN MEDIUM BUSINESS
Proudly supported by Orange City Council
Winner: Neweys
EXCELLENCE IN LARGE BUSINESS
Proudly supported by Centuria
Winner: Whittaker Contracting Pty Ltd