Lismore-based businesses won a collective five awards at last night's 2023 Northern Rivers Regional Business Awards held at the Ballina RSL on Saturday night.

Simply Clean followed on from last year's success when they took home the top gong 'Business of the Year', collecting two awards, Excellence in Small Business and Excellence in Trade, Construction & Manufacturing.

SimplyClean is a healthy home cleaning products business founded in 2012 by Becky Thompson and Huw Jones.

Joel Jensen, who has also had a stellar twelve months picking up various building awards, won Employer of Choice for under 20 employees and was Highly Commended in Excellence in Trade, Construction & Manufacturing.

HART Services was successful in the Excellence in Health, Car and Wellness category.

A HART spokesperson told the Lismore App, "With an amazing 100-strong team of volunteers and staff, with offices in Lismore, Casino, Kyogle, Maclean and next month in Bonalbo, we are truly regional."

"Thank you to all the families and clients who trust us with your care. We are honoured to be all about your independence and wellness."

Stepz Fitness Lismore at Central was Highly Commended in the same category.

Outstanding Start-up went to Contained in Nimbin Accommodation, which took home major Tourism Awards in June.

Nicole and Nick Lindner set up the business just over twelve months ago, and the awards have rolled in since. Read our earlier story here.

"Blown away to have won last night! We're off to the state awards as finalists in November," was the message from Nicole and Nick.

The big award this year, 2023 Business of the Year, went to the Summerland Credit Union.

Regional Director Northern Rivers for Business NSW Jane Laverty said, "This was well-deserved recognition for one of our homegrown enterprises of nearly 50 years. Summerland Credit Union has excelled across all facets of the business and has set a standard for others to look up to. We congratulate the Summerland team."

The full list of the winners of the 2023 Northern Rivers Regional Business Awards are below:

• 2023 Business of the Year - Summerland Credit Union
• Excellence In International Business - Kimberley Kampers
• Excellence in Large Business - Norco
• Excellence in Small Business - Simply Clean
• Excellence in Micro Business - Off The Rails, Byron Bay
• Outstanding Start-up - Contained in Nimbin Accommodation
• Excellence in Diversity & Inclusion - Sistability
• Excellence in Sustainability - Summerland Credit Union
• Excellence in Innovation - Australian Bay Lobster Producers
• Employer of Choice (over 20 employees) - ENV Solutions
• Employer of Choice (under 20 employees) - Joel Jensen Constructions
• Outstanding Business Leader - Chris Jewell (Zepto)
• Outstanding Young Business Leader - Josh Northeast (Jnortheast Films)/Highly Commended Joel Jensen
• Outstanding Employee - Michael Alvey (Resonator Music & Tuition)
• Outstanding Local Chamber - Tweed Chamber of Commerce
• Outstanding Community Organisation - Cherry Street Sports Group
• Excellence in Tourism & Visitor Experience - Vision Walks Eco Tours
• Excellence in Agriculture & Primary Industry - Honeybee Hives
• Excellence in Health, Care & Wellbeing - HART Services/Highly Commended Stepz Fitness Lismore
• Excellence in Business & Professional Services - Summerland Credit Union
• Excellence in Trade, Construction & Manufacturing - Simply Clean/Highly Commended Joel Jensen Constructions
• Excellence in Retail & Personal Services - Dinner Is Served