Around 250 people gathered to celebrate excellence in the business community earlier this month at the inaugural Narromine Region Business Awards.

The sold-out event at the Narromine USMC on Saturday, August 1, recognised business excellence across all types of business – micro, home-based, small, medium and large enterprises – with awards presented across 15 categories.

An initiative by the Narromine Business Collective, the awards were the culmination of many months of planning and engaging with the business and wider community in Trangie, Tomingley and Narromine.

Some 91 award submissions were received for the 12 professionally-judged business award categories, from which 71 finalists were selected. More than 3200 votes were received for three “people’s choice” awards which allowed the public to show their support.

Attendees at the gala event included business owners and their staff; community leaders; elected representatives including Narromine mayor, Cr Ewen Jones, deputy mayor Cr Stacey Bohm, Cr Adine Hoey and State MP Dugald Saunders; as well as event sponsors and members of the public.

Hosted by the amusing Tim Wiggins, there was an excited vibe in the Ballhausen Room at the USMC as the awards were presented in batches across the evening.

The pride in local businesses was evident as staff and supporters cheered every finalist announced, with raucous applause as category winners were revealed.

The night rounded out with popular central west rockers Ballz N All entertaining the revellers.

Narromine Business Collective co-president Felicity Roberts said the evening was a fitting celebration of the strength of the local business community.

"These awards were created to recognise the people and businesses who work tirelessly behind the scenes every day. [The event] night exceeded anything we could have imagined," she said.

"The atmosphere in the room was electric, and it was a wonderful reminder of just how proud we are of our region."

An early supporter, Narromine Shire Council was a foundation sponsor of the event designed to recognise the contribution local businesses make to the future of the Narromine region.

Mayor Jones congratulated the organisers and their committee for delivering a stellar event celebrating local business.

"The Narromine Business Collective should be so proud of what they have achieved. The Narromine Region Business Awards were a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the businesses and individuals who contribute so much to our region,” he said.

“Council is proud to have supported the awards and looks forward to seeing it continue to grow in the years ahead," Cr Jones concluded.

• Dubbo Photo News attended the Narromine Region Business Awards as a guest of the organisers.

Inaugural award winners

Awards for Excellence In:

● Transport & Automotive Industry – B & R Wright Pty Ltd

● Ag Supplies & Services – Enza Zaden

● Apprentice/Trainee of the Year – Blake Fergusson, Tomingley Gold Operations

● Retail & Wholesale – Monaghan's Butchery

● Hospitality, Arts & Tourism – Saltbush Meats

● Manufacturing, Trades & Construction – Oriel Refrigeration and Air Conditioning

● Professional & Business Services – Kilara & Associates

● Home-Based or Personal Services – Narromine Thai Massage

Awards for Outstanding:

● Employee of the Year – Brit Redman, Narromine Shire Family Health Centre

● Community-Run Business – Trangie Preschool and Early Learning Centre

● Employer of the Year – Soul Food Depot

● New Business – Western Plains Veterinary Service

People's Choice Awards:

● Narromine Region's Favourite Tradie – Luke Short, Shorts Electrical

● Service with a Smile – Michelle McDonald, Style 33

● Narromine Region's Favourite Business – Cafe 2823