From reptile wranglers to rotisserie chicken champions, and from dental doyennes to dance studio directors, this year's Lake Macquarie Business Excellence Awards feature one of the most diverse finalists lists in the event's history.
Lake Macquarie Mayor Adam Shultz said a judging panel had selected 65 finalists across 14 categories, with excellence in micro business and excellence in small business the two most hotly contested awards.
"Applicants this year really reflect the depth and breadth of Lake Macquarie's 14,000-plus businesses," he said.
"It was particularly encouraging to see such strong entries in our new business category. It shows not only that people are confident in establishing new enterprises in our city, but when they're done right they can grow and thrive."
This year's Outstanding New Business finalists include Snake Catcher Bronte, whose business has amassed more than 72,000 Facebook followers, and Char Char Chicken, a takeaway shop in the new Watagan Park Central complex in Cooranbong.
Toronto's Dental Folk director Quyen Nguyen - a winner at last year's awards - is again a finalist this year in the Outstanding Young Business Leader category, while Maxi-Jazz Dance Studio principal Ylanda Robinson is among five finalists vying for the Outstanding Business Leader award.
Finalists in the Outstanding Visitor Experience category include Awaba Mountain Bike Park, CoastXP, Lake Mac Brewing Co, Nova Cruises and Showtime Kayaking.
Winners will be announced at a gala dinner on Friday 24 July at Belmont 16s.
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.
Go to lakemac.com.au for a full list of finalists and to vote in the Origin Energy People's Choice Award.
Lake Macquarie Business Excellence Awards 2026 finalists
Category name |
Applicant |
Outstanding Employee |
Tonia Butler - Chipmunks Playland & Cafe Cyrus Delaney - Chipmunks Playland & Cafe Maria McIntyre - ATUNE Health Centres |
Outstanding Young Business Leader Sponsored by University of Newcastle |
Breanna Beveridge - ACE Collective Quyen Nguyen - Dental Folk Heath Perry - German Car Garage Kira Ridgewell - Lake Mac Zoo Amy Robinson - LOVE Property |
Outstanding Business Leader |
Janina Hamilton - Flying Colours Education Lauren Haskins - A Growing Understanding Dr Jessica Maistry - Newcastle Health Solutions Ylanda Robinson - Maxi-Jazz Dance Studio Alyce Svensk - The OT Coach Australia |
Employer of Choice Sponsored by Ramsay Health |
ATUNE Kids Flying Colours Education Spectrum Comms |
Excellence in Innovation |
ATUNE Health Centres Catalina Motel Lake Macquarie Creative Pipeline Dental Folk |
Excellence in Sustainability Sponsored by The GPT Group (Charlestown Square) |
Food Farmacy Glendale City Centre Luckys Scrap Metals Pty Ltd ReNewy Living |
Excellence in Diversity and Inclusion |
A Growing Understanding Elevate Esteem Training Flying Colours Education Nexus Built |
Outstanding Community Organisation |
Aussie Aunties - Belmont Hospital Healing Path to Wellness Hunter Sports Centre Miromaa Aboriginal Language and Technology Centre Nova for Women and Children Redhead Community Preschool Survivor's R Us Incorporated |
Outstanding Visitor Experience Sponsored by Lake Mac Holiday Parks |
Awaba Mountain Bike Park CoastXP Lake Mac Brewing Co Nova Cruises Showtime Kayaking |
Outstanding New Business Sponsored by Newcastle Herald |
Char Char Chicken Firmin Fitness & Wellness Hands of the World Snake Catcher Bronte Strata Tech Solutions |
Excellence in Micro Business (0- 5 Employees) |
Allettare Dezigns Andersen Pest Services Bella Oils Funding and Grants Collective German Car Garage LMN Plumbing psyborg® Toronto Mowers |
Excellence in Small Business (6-20 Employees) |
Catalina Motel Lake Macquarie Chipmunks Playland & Cafe Dental Folk Eyecare Plus Belmont Flying Colours Education MT Design Collective |
Excellence in Medium Business (21-99 Employees) |
A Growing Understanding Imaginelle Milleen Group SM Electrical Manufacturing |
Excellence in Large Business (100+ Employees) |
8 at Trinity ATUNE Health Centres |
