Lismore businesses took centre stage last Saturday when the 2025 Northern Rivers Regional Business Awards were announced in Ballina before a packed audience of business leaders from across the region.

Lismore celebrated six category 'Winners' and thirteen 'Highly Commended' awards from the twenty-nine categories.

“With more than 240 entries in this year’s Regional Awards, our judges faced an incredibly tough task. They confirmed that the calibre of businesses was nothing short of outstanding, and every business deserved high recognition to advance as a Regional Finalist. Our leaders should feel immensely proud of their achievements and take a strong message of congratulations and recognition back to their teams,” said Jane Laverty, Regional Director, Business NSW.

After securing wins in Excellence in Business & Professional Services and Excellence in Sustainability, along with a Highly Commended recognition for their Outstanding Trainee, Kirra Connel, Collins Hume went on to claim the ultimate honour of the night — the 2025 Northern Rivers Business of the Year Award. The award was proudly presented by Professor Mike Ewing, Dean of the Faculty of Business, Law and Arts at Southern Cross University, the event’s Major Sponsor.

Collins Hume was recognised not only for the professional services it provides but for the way it embodies business excellence in every dimension. From cultivating a strong and values-driven workplace culture, to embracing innovation and championing community initiatives and sustainable practices, Collins Hume stands as a benchmark for what it means to be a modern, purpose-led business.

“We are incredibly honoured to be named 2025 Northern Rivers Business of the Year. These awards reflect the dedication of our entire team, who strive every day to deliver with excellence, innovate with purpose and make a positive difference in our community. This recognition is not just about our business, but about the role all Northern Rivers businesses play in building a thriving, sustainable region,” said Collins Hume CEO Chris Atkinson.

Northern Rivers 2025 Regional Business Awards:

Excellence in Retail & Personal Services, sponsored by Ballina Fair

Winner: DIMATTIA & CO Group, Clarence

Highly Commended: PJs Fruit & Veg, Lismore

Excellence in Trade, sponsored by Winslow

Winner: Joel Jensen Constructions, Lismore

Excellence in Construction, sponsored by Winslow

Winner: Avid Constructions & Contracting, Ballina

Excellence in Manufacturing, sponsored by Winslow

Winner: Norco Co-operative, Lismore

Excellence in Business & Professional Services, sponsored by Telstra

Winner: Collins Hume, Ballina Shire

Highly Commended: Newton Denny Chapelle, Lismore

Excellence in Health, Care & Wellness Services, sponsored by ACE Community Colleges

Winner: Richmond Valley Aquatics, Richmond Valley

Excellence in Agriculture & Primary Industries, sponsored by Ballina RSL

Winner: Mountain Blue, Lismore

Excellence in Creative Industries, sponsored by Jempire Events

Winner: Creative Road, Byron Bay

Outstanding Visitor Experience, sponsored by Ballina / Byron Gateway Airport

Winner: Home Alstonville

Highly Commended: Contained in Nimbin Accommodation, Nimbin/Lismore

Outstanding Visitor Economy Collaboration, sponsored by Discover Ballina

Winner: Jacaranda Festival, Clarence Valley

Excellence in Sustainable Tourism, sponsored by Elements of Byron

Winner: Vision Walks – Eco Tours, Byron Bay

Highly Commended: Contained in Nimbin Accommodation, Nimbin/Lismore

Outstanding Trainee / Apprentice of the Year, sponsored by CBA

Winner: Cooper Bloor, Potager, Tweed Shire

Outstanding Employee, sponsored by TURSA

Winner: Mark Myers, Norco Co-operative, Lismore

Highly Commended: Kelly Field, Federal Hotel, Alstonville

Outstanding Young Business Leader, sponsored by TAFE

Winner: Nikki Wormald, CASPA, Lismore

Outstanding Business Leader (20 employees or under), sponsored by Northern Rivers Housing

Winner: Tracy Anne Ward, South Lismore Post Office, Lismore

Outstanding Business Leader (21 employees or over), sponsored by Winslow

Winner: Lisa Smith, Biala Support Services, Ballina Shire

Highly Commended: Damian Chapelle, Newton Denny Chapelle, Lismore

Excellence in International Business, sponsored by Northern Rivers NSW brand

Winner: Gather By, Ballina Shire

Highly Commended: Norco Co-operative, Lismore

Excellence in Diversity & Inclusion, sponsored by TURSA

Winner: Sistability, Ballina Shire

Highly Commended: Indigo Rose Disability Support Service, Lismore

Employer of Choice (20 employees or under), sponsored by Ballina Fair

Winner: McGloin Baker, Tweed Shire

Highly Commended: Joel Jensen Construction, Lismore

Employer of Choice (21 employees or over), sponsored by Clarence Property

Winner: Biala Support Services, Ballina Shire

Highly Commended: Social Futures, Lismore

Excellence in Innovation, sponsored by Southern Cross University

Winner: Maclean Medical, Clarence Valley

Highly Commended: Norco Co-operative, Lismore

Excellence in Sustainability, sponsored by Social Futures

Winner: Collins Hume, Ballina Shire

Outstanding Community Organisation, sponsored by Northern Rivers Housing

Winner: The Community Transport Company, Tweed Shire

Highly Commended: Our House, Lismore

Outstanding Local Chamber, sponsored by Business NSW

Winner: Business Murwillumbah

Highly Commended: Business Lismore

Outstanding New Business, sponsored by Clarence Property

Winner: Care Easy, Tweed Shire

Excellence in Micro Business, sponsored by ACE Community Colleges

Winner: Tweed Real Food, Tweed Shire

Excellence in Small Business, sponsored by TAFE

Winner: McGloin Baker, Tweed Shire

Highly Commended: Joel Jensen Construction, Lismore

Excellence in Large Business, sponsored by Healthy North Coast

Winner: SEE Civil, Tweed Shire

Highly Commended: TSA Riley, Ballina Shire

Northern Rivers Business of the Year

Collins Humes, Ballina

“The Northern Rivers 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 2025,” said Mrs Laverty.

Winners of state-aligned categories will now represent the region at the State Business Awards to be held on 29 October in Sydney.

“I am very much looking forward to seeing Team Northern Rivers, our regional winners, represent our broader business community of over 30,000 businesses on the State stage,” Mrs Laverty said.