2026 CAMPASPE MURRAY BUSINESS AWARDS

The Campaspe Murray Business Excellence Awards are the region’s most celebrated and highly anticipated business event. The 2026 Awards continue to honour outstanding local business achievements, showcasing the people and enterprises that make our region thrive. Open to all businesses within the Campaspe Shire and Murray River Council areas, the program provides an opportunity for participants to reflect on their practices and gain recognition for excellence.

In 2026, the Awards have been expanded to include new categories—Apprentice of the Year, Sustainability, and Community Minded—highlighting the importance of emerging talent, business and environmental sustainability, and strong community connection.

Beyond recognition, the Awards aim to inspire greater community engagement and support for local businesses, while raising awareness of the vital link between business success, local employment, and the overall prosperity of our region.

bENEFITS OF PARTICIPATING IN THE AWARDS

  • The opportunity to perform a ‘business health check’ by undertaking the application process and assessing strengths and weaknesses, prior to receiving feedback from judges.

  • The opportunity to make connections with key business people in our region.

  • Increased recognition of a business and its brand.

  • The potential to be acknowledged as a finalist or category winner, or Business of the Year.

    Finalists in the Awards will receive

  • Extensive promotion as a finalist through various media such as online, print, radio and social media

  • Business profile in the follow up press feature

  • Acknowledgement as a finalist at the 2026 Gala Celebration

  • Finalist decal to display in place of business

  • Finalist logo to use in own marketing

    BUSINESS OF THE YEAR AWARD 

    Sponsored by Campaspe Shire Council and Murray River Council   

    The Business of the Year award recognises a business that has demonstrated outstanding achievements, performance and innovation.  

    This award is open to any business that has won an award category. 

2026 Categories

In 2026 we are thrilled to announce the following categories will be available.

  1. Greenham Agri-Business Award  

  2. Yield Insurance Home Based Business Award     

  3. Foodmach Manufacturing & Trade Award       

  4. C4EM Professional Service - Community Award (Small)          

  5. Coolabah Turf Professional Service - Community Award (Large)       

  6. Kagome Health and Wellbeing Award      

  7. Murray Regional Tourism (MRTB) Tourism and Events Award      

  8. CVGT Employee of the Year Award           

  9. Community Bank Rushworth and Tongala New Business Award        

  10. Telstra Business Professional Service Business Award  

  11. McPherson Media Group Retail Award     

  12. Rich River Golf Club Hospitality Award    

  13. Ace Radio / Edge / 2QN Young Entrepreneur Award          

  14. Byford Equipment Apprentice of the Year

  15. NBN Local Community Minded Award    

  16. Bendigo Kangan Institute (BKI) Sustainability Award        

  17. Nichol Trading People’s Choice Award

  18. Campaspe Shire Council and Murray River Council Business of the Year Award

apply now

2026 Awards

  • Sponsored by Campaspe Shire Council and Murray River Council

    The Business of the Year award recognises a business that has demonstrated outstanding achievements, performance and innovation. This award is open to any business that has won an award category.

  • Sponsored by Nichol Trading

    After the initial round of judging occurs and finalists are announced, the public are invited to vote for their favourite finalist business in the People’s Choice Award.

  • Sponsored by ACE Radio, Edge, 2QN

    Open to any person under the age of 35 who has started and is running their own successful business.

  • Sponsored by McPherson Media

    Open to any business selling products directly to the general public.

  • Sponsored by Telstra

    Open to any business providing professional services to the general public or to other businesses.

  • Sponsored by Foodmach

    Open to any business involved in manufacturing, fabricating, processing, or value-adding, or providing a trade service.

  • Sponsored by Kagome

    Open to any business providing Health and Wellbeing services to the community.

  • Sponsored by Bendigo Kangan Institute

    The Sustainability Award recognises organisations that integrate ecological responsibility into their core strategies, aiming to reduce their environmental footprint while often achieving economic growth. This award celebrates innovation in resource management, emissions reduction, and sustainable practices.

  • Byford Equipment

    Campaspe Murray Business Awards are proud to introduce a new category to celebrate Apprentice of the Year. This award recognises the excellence of an Apprentice who has shown outstanding effort in providing exceptional value to his/her employer. Applications must be completed by the employer (of the apprentice being entered).

  • Sponsored by CVGT

    Recognising excellence in an individual employee. This award recognises the excellence of an employee who has shown outstanding effort in providing exceptional value to his/her employer. Applications must be completed by the employer (of the employee being entered).

  • Sponsored by Rich River Golf Club

    Open to any business providing food (hospitality), accommodation or entertainment services.

  • Sponsored by Yield Insurance

    Open to any business where the proprietor's residence is also the principal place of business.

  • Sponsored by Greenham

    Open to any business providing goods and/or services within the primary industries (viticulture, horticulture, dairy, livestock etc.), or who value-add to agricultural products.

  • Sponsored by C4EM

    Open to any business that does not provide a return to stakeholders. Those businesses may trade in surplus as long as no person/s or organisation is paid a dividend. Examples include ages care services, hospitals and educational facilities. Less than 100 FTE.

  • Sponsored by Coolabah Turf

    Open to any business that does not provide a return to stakeholders. Those businesses may trade in surplus as long as no person/s or organisation is paid a dividend. Examples include ages care services, hospitals and educational facilities. More than 100 FTE.

  • Sponsored by Community Bank Rushworth and Tongala

    Open to any new business that commenced operations in the past three years.

  • Sponsored by Murray Regional Tourism

    This category is open to any business offering goods or services within the tourism industry.

  • Sponsored by NBN Local

    The Community Minded award spotlights and honours a business or organisation who demonstrates a clear commitment to positive community outcomes, reflected through their actions.

 

Sponsors