Health Service Provider Tunes In To Top Business Award

A locally grown healthcare organisation making waves across the Hunter Region has been named Lake Macquarie's Business of the Year for 2026.

ATUNE Health Centres, which provides integrated healthcare under one roof, took out the top gong at Friday night's Lake Macquarie Business Excellence Awards at Belmont 16s.

Established in 2006, the company also won the Excellence in Large Business award, and its Operations Manager Maria McIntyre won the Outstanding Employee prize.

Lake Macquarie Mayor Adam Shultz said ATUNE brought together medical, allied health, psychological and complementary health services to make healthcare more accessible and coordinated for locals.

"ATUNE's focus on accessible healthcare, health education, specialist services and local jobs makes a real difference for thousands of residents each year," he said.

Mayor Adam congratulated all finalists and winners, selected by a panel of judges from more than 160 entries.

"Lake Macquarie is home to more than 15,000 businesses operating across a remarkable range of industries," he said.

"Our finalists distinguished themselves through innovation, leadership and service, and they reflect the strength our city's drive to support local jobs and economic growth."

Awaba Mountain Bike Park, managed by Hunter Mountain Bike Association (HMBA), won this year's Outstanding Visitor Experience category, attracting more than 20,000 riders of all ages and abilities annually.

The park is one of the oldest of its type in NSW and is run largely by volunteers..

Health service providers featured prominently in this year's winners list, reflecting the changing face of business in Lake Macquarie.

Health care and social assistance is now the single largest employment sector in the city and one of the fastest-growing, accounting for almost 20 per cent of total employment.

Other winners from within the sector included A Growing Understanding Speech Pathology (Excellence in Medium Business and Outstanding Business Leader), Dental Folk (Outstanding Young Business Leader) and Survivor's R Us Incorporated (Outstanding Community Organisation).

Belmont Hospital's 'Aussie Aunties' program, which connects international medical graduates with local hospital volunteers to help them navigate Australian culture and everyday life, took out this year's coveted People's Choice Award.

The Lake Macquarie Business Excellence Awards are proudly supported by Dantia, Origin Energy, the Newcastle Herald, University of Newcastle, Charlestown Square by the GPT Group, Lake Mac Holiday Parks, and Ramsay Health Care.

2026 Lake Macquarie Business Excellence Awards winners