The Westhaven Association is a finalist in two categories. The Dubbo contingent makes up about 20% of the finalists in the awards staged by the NSW Business Chamber. 

The regional awards recognise excellence in business, leadership, entrepreneurship, sustainability, innovation, business growth and employment practices across the Central West, Orana and Far West regions.

The categories and the Dubbo finalists are:

Outstanding Young Employee: Jared Weber, Anittel. Outstanding Young Entrepreneur: Samuel Shooter, SJ Shooter Real Estate. Outstanding Business Leader: Phillip Young, Slater and Gordon. Excellence in Small Business: axxis, 123 Tix, and Manera Heights Apartments. Excellence in Business: The Westhaven Association. Start Up Superstar: Channel 40. Excellence in Innovation: Western Student Connections. Outstanding Employer of Choice: The Westhaven Association.

Award winners will be announced at a gala dinner in Bathurst on May 11.

Winners there will represent the Western region at the NSW Business Chamber’s State Business Awards in November in Sydney.

Western NSW Business Chamber Regional Manager, Vicki Seccombe, said this year’s finalists represent a fantastic cross section of businesses from across Western NSW.

“These awards are a wonderful opportunity to celebrate excellence in the local business community and showcase their success at a local, regional and state level.

“Last year Sheri Carolan from Slater and Gordon, Dubbo was awarded the 2017 Young Business Executive of the Year at the State Business Awards.

“Based on the calibre of this year’s finalists, I expect that our Regional Winners will again do very well at the NSW Business Chamber State Awards held in November this year,” Ms Seccombe said.

The full list of categories and finalists for Western NSW is:

2018 Western NSW Regional Business Awards finalists:

Outstanding Young Employee*

Daniel Sutton, Morse Group Accountants & Advisors, Bathurst

Jared Weber, Anittel, Dubbo

Stevie-Leigh Morrison, HE Silos, Forbes

Outstanding Young Entrepreneur

Alicia Ball, The Salon Collective, Cowra

Dean Campbell, Dean Campbell Transport, Bathurst

Samuel Shooter, SJ Shooter Real Estate, Dubbo

Stephanie Hughes, Hughes & Co Lawyers & Conveyancing, Parkes

Outstanding Business Leader

Anne Marie Crasti, Verto, Cowra

Cally Woodhouse, Yates Baker McLean, Orange

David Thompson, McPhersons Parts & Service, Parkes

Laurence Storm, HE Silos, Forbes

Matthew Irvine, Panorama Road Safety, Bathurst

Phillip Young, Slater and Gordon, Dubbo

Excellence in Small Business

The Salon Collective, Cowra

Stanley Finance, Mudgee

Forbes Family Dentists, Forbes

Lithgow Fire & Safety, Lithgow

Mulberry Lane Vet Hospital, Orange

axxis, Dubbo

Bobbies Clothing, Bathurst

Cowra Motor Inn, Cowra

La Bella Medispa, Parkes

123 Tix, Dubbo

Manera Heights Apartments, Dubbo

Excellence in Business

Bathurst RSL Club, Bathurst

K&H Geotechnical Services, Parkes

The Westhaven Association, Dubbo

H E Silos, Forbes

Excellence in Social Enterprise

Parkes Shire Food Service, Parkes

Western Research Institute, Bathurst

Smok'n Cooking Class, Forbes

LiveBetter Community Services, Orange

Start Up Superstar

Dirty Workx, Orange

Channel 40, Dubbo

Excellence in Innovation

Western Student Connections, Dubbo

Mudgee Region Tourism, Mudgee

Cowra Motor Inn, Cowra

Tobin No Till, Forbes

Excellence in Sustainability

Blue Wren Wines, Mudgee

Outstanding Employer of Choice

Morse Group Accountants & Advisors, Bathurst

The Westhaven Association, Dubbo

Housing Plus, Orange

Local Chamber of Commerce

Cowra Business Chamber

Mudgee Chamber of Commerce

Bathurst Business Chamber