The CommBank Colac & District Business Awards returned in 2025!
Celebrating the best in business across the Colac Otway region, with a gala night at COPACC on Saturday 11 October.
Congratulations to all our winners and finalists! We received an incredible 250 nominations from the public for this year’s awards, making it a difficult task for our judges.
Excellence in Retail, sponsored by Selwyn Jewellery
Winner: Blooms the Chemist Colac.
Finalists: Blane's Newsagency & Treasure Hunters
The Excellence in Retail Award recognises outstanding achievement in the field of retail trade, and is open to all retail businesses across the Colac Otway region for example, clothing stores, pharmacies, homewares stores, etc.
Trade Business of the Year, sponsored by CMTP
Winner: Key HR Electrical Services.
Finalists: Colac Collision Centre & Central Tyre & Auto
The Trade Business of the Year Award recognises outstanding achievement in the industrial and trades sector, and is open to all trade businesses across the Colac Otway region, for example, builders, electricians, construction materials, manufacturing, etc.
Excellence in Agribusiness & Farming, sponsored by Barwon Water
Winner: Rhys Evans Farm Machinery.
Finalists: Beswicke dairy farmers & Morris Transport
The Excellence in Agribusiness & Farming Award recognises outstanding achievement amongst primary producers and businesses that support farming operations. It is open to all businesses who meet this criteria within the Colac Otway region, for example, producers of eggs, wool, bread, dairy, wine, etc; businesses that produce agricultural commodities, or supply goods and services to farms, farming and farming-related activities.
Excellence in Tourism, sponsored by Spence Construction
Winner: Bimbi Park.
Finalists: Cressy Aerodrome & King Parrot Cottages & Event Centre
The Excellence in Tourism Award recognises outstanding achievement in leisure and tourism services, and is open to all businesses who meet this criteria within the Colac Otway region.
Excellence in Hospitality, sponsored by Hip Pocket Workwear & Safety Colac
Winner: Double Shot Coffee & Cake.
Finalists: Dar Teta & Pammy's Pizza
The Excellence in Hospitality Award recognises outstanding achievement in hospitality and is open to all businesses, such as restaurants and cafes, who meet this criteria within the Colac Otway region.
Excellence in Professional Services, sponsored by South West TAFE
Winner: Shae'K'It Studios.
Finalists: Casey McDonald Realty & SkillsConnection
The Excellence in Professional Services Award recognises outstanding achievement in the field of Professional Services, and is open to all Professional Services businesses across the Colac Otway region, for example, financial, legal, real estate, engineering, IT, medical clinics, skin and beauty, optical, chiro, physio, fitness, wellness, education, etc.
Employee of the Year, sponsored by Victorian Group Training
Winner: Mia Carson, Casey McDonald Realty.
Finalists: Erin Gatty, Blooms the Chemist; and Molly Dunnill, Victorian Group Training
The Employee of the Year Award recognises outstanding achievement by an employee who has demonstrated characteristics of leadership, business excellence, community focus as well as other outstanding attributes. Open to applicants from within the Colac Otway region and is an employer-nominated category i.e. the employer must complete the application.
Business Champion of the Year, sponsored by CommBank
Winner: Katrina Fotinas, Bimbi Park.
Finalists: Casey McDonald, Casey McDonald Realty; and Shae Lamanna, Shae'K'It Studios
The Business Champion of the Year Award recognises outstanding advocacy and achievement by a Business Owner who has demonstrated characteristics of inspirational leadership, business excellence, community focus as well as other outstanding attributes. Open to applicants from within the Colac Otway region.
- Who can nominate a business? Anyone can! Whether you’re a business owner, customer or family member, we encourage you to submit a nomination for one or more categories.
- Business Champion of the Year nominations are also open to the public.
- Who can nominate an employee? The Employee of the Year award nominees can only be submitted by their employer.
- What area do the awards cover? Nominations are being accepted for businesses and individuals situated within the Colac Otway Shire.
- What’s the awards process? Nominations close on 5 September. Businesses and individuals who are nominated will receive a follow-up form to complete, to accept their nomination and provide details for judging. Finalists will be notified and interviewed in person by an impartial judge in mid-late September, with the winners to be announced at a gala night at COPACC on 11 October.
- What do the winners get? The winners of each category receives a photo and video package valued at $1000, as well as a glitzy trophy sponsored by AKD, and bragging rights of course!
