Media Release
Deniliquin celebrates excellence at 2026 Business Excellence Awards
Deniliquin’s outstanding businesses, organisations and community members were celebrated on Friday, August 14, at the 2026 Deniliquin Business Excellence Awards.
Held at the Deniliquin RSL Club, the Gala Awards Night brought together finalists, sponsors, business leaders and community members to recognise the hard work, innovation, leadership and community spirit that continues to make Deniliquin a great place to live, work and do business.
The evening celebrated winners across a broad range of business, individual and community categories, as well as several organisations reaching significant milestones.
The night’s highest honour, Business of the Year, was awarded to Can Assist Deniliquin.
The volunteer-run organisation also took out Outstanding Community Organisation, recognising its extraordinary contribution to local cancer patients and their families.
Since 2017, Can Assist Deniliquin has ensured every dollar raised locally stays in the community, helping patients across the 2710 region with travel, accommodation, medical and pharmaceutical costs, as well as essential household expenses. In the last financial year alone, the branch provided more than $100,000 in direct support to local patients.
Deniliquin Business Chamber Executive Officer Kate Pitt said the awards were an opportunity to shine a light on the people and organisations making a difference across the community.
“Every finalist and winner should be incredibly proud,” she said.
“The awards showcase the diversity, resilience and talent we have in our local business community, from long-established organisations to exciting new businesses, dedicated employees, emerging leaders and the volunteers who give so much back to Deniliquin.
“Congratulations to everyone who was nominated, named a finalist or took home an award.”
A highlight of the evening was the introduction of two new categories for 2026.
The inaugural Excellence in Workplace Health & Wellbeing Award resulted in two winners, with the judges unable to separate Edward River Council and Intereach. Both organisations were recognised for their strong commitment to creating safe, supportive and inclusive workplaces where employee wellbeing is a genuine priority.
The new Excellence in Medium Business Award was won by Dahlsens Mitre 10 Deniliquin, recognising the long-standing local business for its continued growth, investment in the region, customer service and support of the local community.
Other major business category winners included Cherrywood Emporium for Excellence in Micro Business and Deni Play On The Plains Festival Ltd for Excellence in Small Business.
Deni Play On The Plains Festival Ltd also received the Excellence in Marketing Award for its successful 2025 Deni Ute Muster campaign, while Deni Golf Resort was recognised for Excellence in Sustainability and The Depot Historic Vehicle & Memorabilia Collection took out Outstanding Visitor Experience.
Switched On Mobiles was named Outstanding New Business, with the award also including a $500 marketing voucher from Edge FM/1521 2QN.
In the customer service categories, Deniliquin Veterinary Clinic won Excellence in Customer Service – Small Business, while Deni RSL was named the winner of Excellence in Customer Service – Medium Business.
The Excellence in Customer Service – Individual Award was shared between two winners, Alice McMahon and Paul Grant, after judges were unable to separate their outstanding nominations.
Intereach enjoyed a particularly successful evening, also winning Excellence in Diversity and Inclusion and Employer of Choice – 21 Employees & Over.
Individual leadership awards went to Iain Goodway, who was named Outstanding Business Leader – 20 Employees & Under; Jamie Hicks, Outstanding Business Leader – 21 Employees & Over; and Elise Clancy, Outstanding Young Business Leader.
Katrina Taylor was recognised as Outstanding Employee for her exceptional contribution to DeniSPOT.
The Will McKern Scholarship for Outstanding Construction Apprentice was also shared by two deserving young tradesmen from Tyndall Electrical, Tom McCallum and Will Dudley.
Named in honour of Will McKern, the scholarship recognises outstanding and inspirational qualities in both work and personal life. This year, the two young apprentices were jointly nominated after their employer was unable to separate their achievements.
The Chamber also presented several special awards recognising long-term contribution and service to the community.
Paula Rutter was named the 2026 Chamber Champion for her extraordinary contribution to the Deniliquin Business Chamber across numerous roles, including President, Vice President, committee member and Treasurer.
Paula served as President an incredible eight times between 2013 and 2023, helping guide the Chamber through periods of growth, change and major community initiatives.
The Norm Brennan Community Contribution Award was presented to Pat Fogarty, recognising more than 30 years of leadership, advocacy and service to Deniliquin and communities across Southern NSW.
A Business Community Contribution Presentation of Appreciation Trophy was awarded to Owen and Jen Edwards in recognition of their 27 years operating Owen Edwards Plumbing and their wider contribution through volunteering, supporting local apprentices and serving the Deniliquin community.
The evening also recognised four significant local milestones through the Milestone Recognition Awards.
Yarkuwa Indigenous Knowledge Centre was honoured for 25 years of sharing, protecting and celebrating Indigenous culture in Deniliquin.
The Rotary Club of Deniliquin and Purtill Group Deniliquin were both recognised for 75 years of operation and contribution to the community, while the Deniliquin Golf Club celebrated an extraordinary 125 years.
Ms Pitt said the milestone awards were an important reminder of the depth of history and commitment within the local community.
“These organisations and businesses have helped shape Deniliquin over many decades,” she said.
“It was wonderful to acknowledge not only what they have achieved in the past, but the positive impact they continue to have today.”
The Deniliquin Business Chamber thanked all sponsors, finalists, nominees, judges, volunteers and guests who helped make the 2026 Awards possible.
2026 Deniliquin Business Excellence Awards winners
🏆 Business of the Year
Can Assist Deniliquin
🏆 Excellence in Customer Service – Individual
Alice McMahon and Paul Grant
🏆 Outstanding Employee
Katrina Taylor
🏆 Outstanding Business Leader – 20 Employees & Under
Iain Goodway
🏆 Outstanding Business Leader – 21 Employees & Over
Jamie Hicks
🏆 Outstanding Young Business Leader
Elise Clancy
🏆 Excellence in Diversity and Inclusion
Intereach
🏆 2026 Chamber Champion
Paula Rutter
🏆 Norm Brennan Community Contribution Award
Pat Fogarty
🏆 Excellence in Customer Service – Small Business
Deniliquin Veterinary Clinic
🏆 Excellence in Customer Service – Medium Business
Deni RSL
🏆 Excellence in Workplace Health & Wellbeing
Edward River Council and Intereach
🏆 Business Community Contribution Presentation of Appreciation
Owen and Jen Edwards / Owen Edwards Plumbing
🏆 Excellence in Marketing
Deni Play On The Plains Festival Ltd
🏆 Outstanding Community Organisation
Can Assist Deniliquin
🏆 Employer of Choice – 21 Employees & Over
Intereach
🏆 Outstanding New Business
Switched On Mobiles
🏆 Excellence in Small Business
Deni Play On The Plains Festival Ltd
🏆 Excellence in Medium Business
Dahlsens Mitre 10 Deniliquin
🏆 Excellence in Micro Business
Cherrywood Emporium
🏆 Excellence in Sustainability
Deni Golf Resort
🏆 Outstanding Visitor Experience
The Depot Historic Vehicle & Memorabilia Collection
🏆 Outstanding Construction Apprentice – Will McKern Scholarship
Tom McCallum and Will Dudley
🏆 Milestone Recognition – 25 Years
Yarkuwa Indigenous Knowledge Centre
🏆 Milestone Recognition – 75 Years
Rotary Club of Deniliquin
🏆 Milestone Recognition – 75 Years
Purtill Group Deniliquin
🏆 Milestone Recognition – 125 Years
Deniliquin Golf Club
