Nearly three hundred local business owners, managers and staff turned out for the first time in five years to be part of the Lismore Business Awards at the Lismore Turf Club on Saturday night.

2019 was the last time business owners celebrated the awards face-to-face; however, there was an online version in 2021. Needless to say, the atmosphere was light and positive as people mingled and let their hair down once the formalities were out of the way.

As was mentioned by Mayor Steve Krieg and Federal Member for Page Kevin Hogan, it was a testament to each and every business owner in the room to have survived the last five years, especially the last two, or for some who decided to take the plunge and open a new business.

Small business is the lifeblood of every regional city or town in NSW.

Joel Jensen was on stage more than the host Andrew Du (from NBN), as Joel Jensen Constructions won five awards, including the prestigious Business of the Year.

The winners in each category were:

• Excellence in Retail & Personal Services - Mel’s Melting Moments Gift Shop
• Excellence in Trade Construction & Manufacturing - Joel Jensen Constructions
• Excellence in Business & Professional Services - Connect Business Solutions
• Excellence in Health, Care & Wellness Industries- Lismore Discount Drug Store
• Excellence in Health, Care & Wellness Industries- Stepz Fitness Lismore
• Excellence in Tourism, Recreation & Visitor Experience - Lismore Lantern Parade

(Jyllie Jackson accepts her award from Lismore City Council General Manager Jon Gibbons)

• Outstanding Employee - Gavin Mulcahy - Bridge Knowledge
• Outstanding Business Leader – under 20 employees - Joel Jensen - Joel Jensen Constructions
• Outstanding Business Leader – over 21 employees - Damian Chapelle - Newton Denny Chapelle
• Outstanding Employer of Choice – under 20 employees - Joel Jensen Constructions
• Outstanding Employer of Choice – over 21 employees - Newton Denny Chapelle
• Excellence in Innovation - Local Sounds Radio
• Excellence in Sustainability- Cleanaway Pty Ltd
• Excellence in Sustainability- Summerland Bank
• Outstanding Community Organisation - Our House
• Outstanding Community Organisation - Women Up North
• Outstanding Visitor Experience - Invercauld House
• Outstanding New Business- 187 Cantina
• Excellence in Diversity & Inclusion - Social Futures
• Excellence in Micro Business - Jims Termite and Pest Control Lismore
• Excellence in Micro Business- Flourish Gallery/Studio
• Excellence in Small Business - Joel Jensen Constructions

(Part of the Joel Jensen team accepts the Business of the Year Award)

• Excellence in Large Business - Connect Business Solutions
• Business of the Year - Joel Jensen Constructions

All of the winning businesses from the Lismore Business Awards will represent Lismore as finalists in the Northern Rivers Business Awards to be held in September, with the winners going on to represent the Northern Rivers in the NSW Business Awards in Sydney in October.

Judging by the quality of Saturday night's awards, Lismore will make a strong showing at the regional awards in September.