Independently Owned, Locally Grown, Community Loved
Mayor Ry Collins with chamber announcing the Nominees at the Whitsundays Business Conference
The Whitsundays’ outstanding businesses, leaders and rising talent are preparing to take centre stage, with 46 nominees in the running for the 2026 Whitsunday Business Awards.
Presented by the Whitsundays Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Bowen Chamber of Commerce and Whitsunday Regional Council, the awards recognise the achievements seen from across the region’s business community.
Judging is now underway, with an independent panel of regional and external judges assessing each application against a comprehensive set of criteria. Finalists will be announced on Friday 9 October at the awards ceremony.
“Our local businesses are at the heart of our communities – they create jobs, support local families, back community organisations and play an enormous role in making the Whitsundays such a great place to live, work and visit,” said Whitsunday Regional Council Mayor Ry Collins.
“Council is proud to partner with our Chambers to deliver the Whitsunday Business Awards and I’m looking forward to celebrating the achievements of our business community in October.”
Whitsundays Chamber of Commerce and Industry President Allan Milostic said the response to this year’s Awards reflected the strength and diversity of the local business community.
“Again, another fantastic result that demonstrates the confidence businesses have in celebrating their achievements. Behind every entry is a story of resilience, innovation, leadership and hard work.
“The Awards are about more than recognising success. They provide businesses and individuals with an opportunity to reflect on their journey, celebrate their teams and inspire others by sharing what’s possible in the Whitsundays.
Jo Shepherd, Committee Member of the Bowen Chamber of Commerce said:
“After the incredible success of the inaugural Whitsunday Business Awards in 2025, it’s fantastic to see the Whitsunday Business Awards return even bigger in their second year. Behind every nomination is a story of hard work, innovation, teamwork and resilience.”
“The inaugural awards set a high bar, highlighted how much our region has to offer, and clearly demonstrated that our businesses are the backbone of the Whitsunday Region.”
James Cook University returns as the event’s principal partner, joined by a range of local businesses and organisations sponsoring the award categories.
The Awards also acknowledge the support of Life Publishing Group as Print Media Partner, Whitsunday Transit as Transport Partner, and Amanda Camm MP as an Awards Supporter.
Tickets are now on sale with businesses, supporters and the wider community invited to attend what promises to be one of the region’s premier business celebrations.
Airlie Adventure Tours
Airlie Beach Tourism
Airlie Beach Transfers & Tours
Airlie Health Hub
Airlie Legal
Ambitious Cakes
Bounce Airlie Beach
Bowen Community Council Inc.
Bowen Community Op Shop
Bowen Flexi Care Inc.
Bowen Rail Company
Bowen Tourism and Business
Bright Patch Café
Chloe Bauer, Bowen Fisherman’s Seafood Company and Bird’s Fish Bar
Coastal Brush
Compass Realty Whitsundays
Dean Leslie, Australian Agave Co.
Divine Weddings Whitsundays
Edge Dance Studio Whitsunday
Elizabeth Hackett (Australian Adventure Tourism Group and Whitsunday Skyway) and Magnums Unique Accommodation
Giulian Grasso, Whitsunday Law
GRB Mining
Healthy Kids Project
Hidden Valley Whitsundays
Hogs Breath Cafe Airlie Beach
Jennifer Rush, Aquatic Rush
Lowcock Builders
Mana Skin Body & Soul
Mark Milligan and Pilcher’s Mitre 10
NQ Aerovation
Ocean Rafting
Proserpine Historical Museum Society Inc
Rolling with Netherpoel
Sam Mckay, Hamilton Island Enterprises
Scallywag Fabrication
Soumya Santosh, Tassal Proserpine Prawn Farm
Stephanie McWhirter and Belle Property Whitsundays
Team Whitsundays Body Corporate Management
Wayne Singleton, Queensland Sotheby’s International Realty (Whitsundays)
Whitsunday Community Services
Whitsunday Counselling & Support Inc.
Whitsunday Neighbourhood Centre
Whitsunday Self Defense Academy
Whitsunday Wheels
Wildlife Whitsundays
Zero Waste Solutions
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