Award nominees have been announced for the 2026 Gundagai Business Awards, an event which gives the Gundagai community the opportunity to recognise the outstanding businesses, organisations and individuals that make Gundagai what it is.
The Award categories and the nominees for 2026 are:
Employer of Choice Award:
Criterion Hotel Gundagai
Lotts Family Hotel
Gundagai Meat Processors
Gundagai Mitre 10
Woolworths Gundagai
Outstanding Young Business Leader:
Jaxon Hayes – Toy Box Mechanical
Brad Porter – Porter Electrical Contracting
Rachel Sullivan – Coolac Cabins & Camping
Nathan Stelter – Criterion Hotel Gundagai
Outstanding Business Leader:
Kate Lenehan – Agstock
Justin Smith – JJ Smith Metal Works
Will Barton – Gundagai Meat Processors
Bec Nicholls – Fig & Co
Danika Lewis – Moey’s
Renee Lindley – Wren Store & Styling
Outstanding New Business:
KJ’s Club Cafe
Mori Cafe
Marshall’s Mercantile
Crown Quality Cleaning & Lawn Maintenance
Dog On The Tuckerbox Kiosk & Farm Shop
Outstanding Community Organisation:
Mawang INC
Gundagai RSL Sub-Branch
Gundagai Lions Club
Gundagai Shed
CanAssist Gundagai
Gundagai CWA
Gundagai Neighbourhood Centre
Outstanding Employee:
Jessica Elphick – Gundagai Medical Centre
Excellence in Business:
Toy Box Mechanical
Moey’s Clothing
Fig & Co
Wren Store & Styling
Gundagai Medical Centre
Matthew Lucas Fencing Contractor
Smarts Butchery
Coolac Cabins & Camping
Excellence in Innovation:
Wi-Sky
DJ Lynch Engineering
Gundagai Meat Processors
Highfield Farm & Woodland
Quality Practice Accreditation (QPA)
Tumblong Hills
Outstanding Customer Service – Business/Organisation:
Toy Box Mechanical
Beattie’s Electrical
Agstock
Gundagai Mitre 10
Smart’s Butchery
Indulge Hairdressing
Riss & Co
Moey’s
Gundagai Medical Centre
Gundagai Pest Control
Ray White Gundagai
Dog on the Tuckerbox Kiosk & Farm Shop
Outstanding Customer Service – Individual:
Georgina Piper – Gundagai Medical Centre
Donna Scott – Gundagai Visitor Information Centre
Jaxon Hayes – Toy Box Mechanical
Melissa Elliott – Wi-Sky
Kathy Eccleston – Moey’s Clothing
Dana Lanyon – KJ’s Club Cafe
Teagan Lindley – KJ’s Club Cafe
Simone Brough – Marshall’s Mercantile
Tim Smith – Elders Gundagai
Alicia Smith – Terry White Chemmart
Matt Lucas – Matt Lucas Fencing & Contracting
Reece Lindley-Kell – Ray White Real Estate
Chloe Innes – Timeless Essence Photography
Casey Polsen, Tourism and Economic Development Officer from the Gundagai Visitor Information Centre says the business awards are an opportunity for local businesses and people to be celebrated.
“Congratulations to all nominees in the 2026 Gundagai Business Awards! We are incredibly excited to celebrate the amazing businesses, organisations and individuals who have been recognised across this year’s award categories. It is fantastic to see so many outstanding local businesses and individuals being recognised by the community.”
“The Gundagai Business Awards 2026 are a chance for the community to come together and recognise the people and businesses who help make our town thrive. Following the success of the 2024 awards, which were incredibly well received, we’re excited to build on that momentum this year.”
“The awards night is a really positive celebration of our local business community, bringing people together to acknowledge the hard work, innovation and dedication happening across Gundagai. We encourage everyone to get involved by nominating a business, organisation or individual they believe deserves recognition,” said Casey.
Emails outlining next steps, submission links and category questions were sent earlier in the week to eligible nominees and businesses.
If you have been nominated and cannot find anything in your inbox, please reach out to Casey Polsen ASAP at: casey.polsen@cgrc.nsw.gov.au
Award submissions close Sunday 24 May at 9:00pm. Winners will be announced at the Gala Awards dinner in late June 2026.
Emily Flint
