With the events of the last few days taking absolute priority, the Northern Rivers 2022 Regional Business Awards that were held at the Whitebrook Theatre at Southern Cross University on Saturday night have passed without a whisper.

Now the immediate threat of another major flood has gone, it's time to honour those businesses that have excelled in the last twelve months in extremely trying conditions. Some through the end of COVID, some through the worst flood in NSW history and some experiencing both.

(Member for Lismore Janelle Saffin officially opens the awards)

Before you read the full list of winners, we should highlight the local Lismore businesses that did the Lismore Local Government Area proud.

• Outstanding Employee: Winner: Lisa Marx, Success Martial Arts, Lismore
• Outstanding Local Chamber Winner: Business Lismore 
• Excellence in Micro Business: Highly Commended: Five Sixty Farms, Lismore
• Excellence in Large Business: Winner: NORCO Cooperative, Lismore and Highly Commended: Summit Sport & Fitness, Lismore

It is the second time Matt George and his staff have come in second place to Norco which is definitely a David v Goliath battle.

"We consider ourselves a small family business and to even be considered in the same category as an esteemed business like Norco makes us very proud," said former owner Matt George.

(Byron Taiko Drummers opening performance)

"This is recognition of the amazing work that the staff have achieved in the last twenty years. They have done and continue to do such a fantastic job because of the caring way they go about their business."

Norco CEO Michael Hampson told the Lismore App, "This is great recognition for the team at Norco, whom regularly go above and beyond to drive great outcomes for our 100% farmer-owned co-operative, our farmers and our community”

“We congratulate all the winners, and indeed to all the extremely talented finalists that make up the great Northern Rivers business community”

Industry leader in ‘state of the art’ meat processing and employer of over 1000 people from the region, The Casino Food Co-op, was named Northern Rivers 2022 Business of the Year at a celebration event held with 200 local business leaders on Saturday evening at Southern Cross University.

The Casino Food Co-op also won the Outstanding Business Leader (CEO Simon Stahl), Excellence in Sustainability, Excellence in Diversity & Inclusion as well as the top gong.

CEO Simon Stahl said, "It’s an honour to win the awards we did. It reflects the pride that our employees have in our company, they were the ones that wanted to put in the nominations. It's a proud moment for our company."

The advancements the Casino Food Co-op has made in the last twelve months include extending the business into ready retail processing, land regeneration with farm businesses, setting a goal to have all members of the community represented as part of their large workforce and forming a reconciliation plan.

"These awards are a reward for our new projects and we look forward to continuing that journey," Simon concluded.

The independent judges praised The Casino Food Co-op for their passion and commitment to business excellence and for their dedication to a diverse and inclusive workplace and committed approach to sustainable business practices.

“It was a wonderful night of celebration. You could feel the connection between everyone and the sense of comradery amongst a group of truly dedicated regional business leaders.” said Jane Laverty, Regional Director Northern Rivers, Business NSW.

Presented by Profession Richard Dunford of Southern Cross University, the Business of the Year Award was awarded to The Casino Food Co-op after taking out 3 other categories on the night including Outstanding Business Leader to CEO Simon Stahl, Excellence in Diversity & Inclusion and Excellence in Sustainability.

(Paul Rippon from Clarence Property, sponsor of Outstanding Business Leader, winner Simon Stahl from Casino Food Co-op and Business NSW Regional Director Northern Rivers Jane Laverty)

“The Casino Food Co-op were well deserving winners of a number of categories and recognised as a business that has achieved outstanding results for business performance and also demonstrating all-round excellence in business. 

“The Northern Rivers Regional Business Awards are all about celebrating and showcasing the diverse talent we have in the Northern Rivers business community and this year’s finalists and winners should feel incredibly proud to be named as the region’s leading businesses and leaders for 2022, said Mrs Laverty.

“It’s been a tough number of years for many businesses, so these awards are a wonderful opportunity to shine a spotlight on the ingenuity, strength and resilience of all the finalists. 

Winners will now represent the region at the State Business Awards to be held on 18 November in Sydney.

“I am really looking forward to seeing Team Northern Rivers, our regional winners, represent our broader business community on the State stage,” Mrs Laverty said.

(Excellence in Large Business - Norco Emma'le Archinal, Adrian Kings, Bert Custance)

Northern Rivers 2022 Regional Business Awards

Winners & Highly Commended Recipients

Outstanding Employee, sponsored by Yellow Brick Road

Winner: Lisa Marx, Success Martial Arts, Lismore

Highly Commended: Myra Sessions, Mareeba Aged Care, Clarence Valley

Outstanding Young Business Leader, sponsored by TURSA

Winner: Matt Plain, Planit Consulting, Ballina Shire

Highly Commended: Amelia Hicks, Old Quarter Coffee Merchants, Ballina Shire

Outstanding Business Leader, sponsored by Clarence Property

Winner: Simon Stahl, The Casino Food Co-op, Richmond Valley

Highly Commended: Chris Jewell, Zepto, Byron Shire

Employer of Choice, sponsored by Apprenticeship Careers Australia

Winner: Barefruit Marketing, Ballina Shire

Highly Commended: Santos Organics, Byron Shire

Excellence in Export, sponsored by Cassegrain Wines

Winner: BeeInventive, Ballina Shire

Highly Commended: Ozganics Australia

Excellence in Innovation, sponsored by Southern Cross University

Winner: Zepto, Byron Shire

Highly Commended: ENV Solutions, Ballina Shire

Excellence in Sustainability, sponsored by North Coast Events

Winner: The Casino Food Co-op, Richmond Valley

Highly Commended: Casino Returned Services Memorial Club, Richmond Valley

Outstanding Local Chamber, sponsored by Business NSW

Winner: Business Lismore

Highly Commended: Byron Bay Chamber of Commerce

Outstanding Community Organisation, sponsored by Colourworks

Winner: Byron Bay Community Centre, Byron Shire

Highly Commended: Rotary Club of Ballina-on-Richmond, Ballina Shire

Excellence in Diversity & Inclusion, sponsored by BusyAbility

Winner: The Casino Food Co-op

Highly Commended: Sistability, Ballina Shire

Outstanding Start Up, sponsored by Sourdough

Winner: Holy Joe, Byron Shire

Highly Commended: Paperbark Death Care & Funerals, Tweed Shire

Excellence in Micro Business, sponsored Entrepreneurs Program

Winner: Jessica Maguire, Tweed Shire

Highly Commended: Five Sixty Farms, Lismore

Excellence in Small Business, sponsored by TAFE

Winner: Early Up, Tweed Shire

Highly Commended: Sistability, Ballina Shire

Excellence in Large Business, sponsored by Southern Cross University

Winner: NORCO Cooperative, Lismore

Highly Commended: Summit Sport & Fitness, Lismore

Northern Rivers Business of the Year

The Casino Food Co-op, Richmond Valley