Recognises an individual whose leadership and business decisions have driven real growth and success for their business over the past 12 months.

2026 FINALISTS

• Jen Bane

• Harpreet Dhaliwal

• Jo Tindale

• Jessica Kinder

• Mags Irvine

Recognises an employee who has gone above and beyond in their role and made a genuine difference to their employer's success.

2026 FINALISTS

• Leizel Madamecila

• Tayla Henderson

• Veronica Thomas

• Tania Hathaway

• Jessica Standish

• Jenna Levingston

• Lauren Gray

Recognises an emerging young business person who is making a strong impact through fresh ideas, drive and early leadership.

2026 FINALISTS

• Cwen Paget

• Haylee Pitts

• Casey Ganzer

• Daniel Bainbridge

• Spencer Priestnall

• Chris Wallace

Recognises a trainee or apprentice who has shown outstanding growth, dedication and skill development during their traineeship or apprenticeship.

2026 FINALISTS

• Julie Piesse

• Tom Caughey

• Davey Wignall

• Grace Simpson

Recognises a recently established business that has shown strong early traction, resilience and growth potential since it started trading.

2026 FINALISTS

• 77 Acres Denmark

• Wine Tree Estate Chalets

• Wild Earth Contracting

• Rainbow Coast Socials

• Visa Advisory Australia

• Mammoth Music Lessons

Recognises a small business, with up to 10 employees, demonstrating excellence across its operations, growth and culture.

2026 FINALISTS

• In Control Bookkeeping

• Denmark Chocolate Company

• The Gardens at Bullimah

• Tullybrook

• Great Southern Seafoods

• Fleers Electrical

• Rockcliffe Winery

Recognises a larger business, with more than 10 employees, demonstrating excellence across its operations, growth and culture.

2026 FINALISTS

• Skylar Early Learning

• Quality Apartments Banksia Albany

• Bodycare Physiotherapy

• Anglicare WA

• Grande Food Service

• Hilton Garden Inn Albany

• Ganzer Electrical

Recognises a sole trader who has built and sustained a successful business single handedly, balancing every part of the operation themselves.

2026 FINALISTS

• Gleni Bailey - Books

• Rainbow Coast Socials

• Katanning Firewood Services

• Catherine Kate Thomas Celebrant

• Valeo Coaching

• Jenny Feast Photography

Recognises a business that delivers an outstanding tourism product or experience and actively promotes the Great Southern region.

2026 FINALISTS

• Albany's Historic Whaling Station

• Heyscape

• The Gardens at Bullimah

• Whale Watch Western Australia

• Albany Tours

• Denmark Chocolate Company

Recognises a business that delivers an outstanding hospitality experience and actively promotes the Great Southern region.

2026 FINALISTS

• The Gardens at Bullimah

• Denmark Chocolate Company

• Quality Apartments Banksia Albany

• BIG4 Middleton Beach Holiday Park

• Rustlers Steakhouse and Grill

• Hilton Garden Inn Albany

Recognises a business with genuine, practical environmental sustainability practices and a measurable impact on the region.

2026 FINALISTS

• Great Southern Seafoods

• Bee Organised

• Albany Skips and Waste Services

• Hilton Garden Inn Albany

• South Coast Natural Resource Management

Recognises a business that manufactures products, from raw materials or components through to a finished product, across any industry.

2026 FINALISTS

• CGS Engineers

• B & P Importers Pty Ltd

• Albany Engineering

Recognises a business that grows or produces and adds value to that produce through processing, packaging or transformation into a market ready product.

2026 FINALISTS

• Great Southern Seafoods

• Shepherd's Hut

• 77 Acres Denmark

• Ferngrove Wines

Recognises an Indigenous owned or led organisation demonstrating strong business performance and a positive impact on its community.

2026 FINALISTS

• Southern Aboriginal Corporation Ltd

• Gorenang Moortabiin Aboriginal Corporation

• Binalup Aboriginal Corporation

Recognises a business that has implemented an innovative idea, product, process or technology that has delivered a measurable impact.

2026 FINALISTS

• In Control Bookkeeping

• Ganzer Electrical

• Tullybrook

• LA.ONE Economics & Consulting

• BIG4 Middleton Beach Holiday Park

• B & P Importers Pty Ltd

Recognises an organisation that actively invests its money in the Great Southern, through where it sources goods, services and suppliers.

2026 FINALISTS

• Mrs Jones Denmark

• Shepherd's Hut

The top honour of the night, selected by judges from among the category winners and entries.