Conditions of Entry

1.  Business Location:  All applications must be related to businesses operating within the areas covered by Campaspe Shire Council, or Murray River Council.

2. Judging:  

Finalists will be selected following a review of all applications.

Those shortlisted will be contacted and invited to attend to present and showcase their business to a judging panel. It is strongly recommended that the individual who prepared the application attends the final judging process.

Results will be collated and the winner of each category will be announced at the Gala Presentation Dinner

       The judges decisions will be final. Feedback will be available to all finalists on request .

3.  Announcement of Winners: Presentation of winners will be made at the ‘Gala Awards Dinner’ to be held at the Rich River Golf Club on Wednesday, 21 October 2026. Finalists must be available to be present, or represented at the Gala Awards Dinner, or they will be deemed ineligible to enter.

4.  Awards:  The winner of each category will receive a trophy, certificate and window decal. Finalists will also receive a certificate and window decal acknowledging their achievement.

5.  Categories:  Judges reserve the right to move an applicant into a more appropriate category if they see fit. You may enter up to three separate categories, providing you meet the criteria for each one.

  • Retail Award - Sponsored by McPherson Media

    Open to any retail business selling goods directly to the general public.

  • Tourism & Events Award - Sponsored by Murray Regional Tourism
    Open to any business offering goods or services within the tourism industry.

  • Manufacturing & Trade - Sponsored by Foodmach
    Open to any business involved in manufacturing or value adding.

  • Professional Service - Business Award – Sponsored by Telstra
    Open to any business providing professional services to the general public or other businesses.

  • Professional Service – Community (Large) – Sponsored by Coolabah Turf
    Open to any business that does not provide a return to stakeholders. These businesses may trade in surplus as long as no person/s or organisation is paid a dividend. Examples include aged care services, hospitals and educational facilities. More than 100 FTE.

  • Professional Service – Community (Small) – Sponsored by C4EM

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

  • Health and Wellbeing – Sponsored by Kagome
    Open to any business providing Health and Wellbeing services to the community.

  • Hospitality Award - Sponsored by Rich River Golf Club
    Open to any business providing food (hospitality), entertainment or accommodation services.

  • New Business Award -  Sponsored by Community Bank Tongala
    Open to any new business that commenced operations in the past three years.

  • Home-based Business Award - Sponsored by Yield Insurance
    Open to any business where the proprietor's residence is also the principal place of business.

  • Agri-business Award - 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.

  • Employee of the Year - Sponsored by CVGT
    Recognising excellence in an individual employee. Nominations may be submitted by anyone but entries must be completed by the applicants employer.

  • Apprentice of the Year – Sponsored by Byford Equipment

    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).

  • Sustainability Award – Sponsored by Bendigo Kangan Institute

    Sustainability Category 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

  • Young Entrepreneur 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.

  • People’s Choice Award - 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.

  • Community Minded  Award- Sponsored by NBN Local
    The Community Minded Business Award recipient has worked to make Murray River Council and Campaspe Shire region a better place to live, work, and play, shaping a stronger, more vibrant community for generations, embodying community's values and potential.

  • Business of the Year
    Selected from the winning entries in the above categories.

 6. Application process: All applications must be submitted via the online application form and received before the closing date – 28 June, 2026. Incomplete applications will not be considered.