Uralla’s The Alternate Root has taken out the region’s top business honour, winning New England North West Business of the Year and three more awards at a gala night in Quirindi.
The 2026 New England North West Business Awards Gala Dinner was held at Club Quirindi on Friday, 25 September, with more than 200 finalists, business leaders, and guests attending.
This year 92 finalists were recognised across 22 award categories, celebrating achievement, innovation, leadership, and business excellence across the region.
“Being named Business of the Year is an outstanding achievement and a fitting recognition of the passion, commitment and hard work behind The Alternate Root,” said Business NSW New England North West Regional Director Stephanie Cameron.
“Their success is a wonderful example of the calibre of businesses we have operating across the New England North West, and I congratulate the entire team on this well-deserved recognition.”
As well as the top prize, The Alternate Root won Excellence in Sustainability and Excellence in Medium Business. Their own Grace Hull was also named Outstanding Employee.
Berdine Warne of Little Birdy Enterprises, The Alternate Root, and The Rustic Fig won Outstanding Business Leader for businesses with 21 employees and over.
Tamworth businesses and organisations also featured strongly among the winners.
Tamworth Aboriginal Medical Service was named Outstanding Community Organisation, while Tamworth Business Chamber took out Outstanding Local Chamber.
Tamworth City Toyota and New England Toyota won Excellence in Large Business, and Martin Howes of Centrepoint Tamworth was named Outstanding Business Leader for businesses with 20 employees and under.
The Australian Equine and Livestock Events Centre won Outstanding Visitor Experience.
Pause Allied Health won two awards, Excellence in Diversity and Inclusion and Excellence in Small Business.
Other winners included Andromeda Industries for Excellence in International Business, All Together Supports for Outstanding New Business, and Integr8y for Excellence in Micro Business.
Holistic Recovery won Excellence in Workplace Health and Wellbeing, and The Drug Detection Agency Mid/North Coast New England and Northwest NSW won Excellence in Innovation.
The DNCO Visitor Experience Summit 2026 won Outstanding Visitor and 24-Hour Economy Collaboration, and Wood we Create won Excellence in Sustainable Tourism.
Camp Grounds Coffee and Wine Bar was named Employer of Choice for 20 employees and under, with The PHN taking the award for 21 employees and over.
Kyle Ridley of Ridarc Electrical was named Outstanding Young Business Leader.
“The New England North West is home to an incredibly diverse and accomplished business community, and the calibre of this year’s finalists and winners is testament to that,” Ms Cameron said.
“Across every category, we saw businesses and individuals demonstrating innovation, resilience, leadership and a genuine commitment to their industries, their people and their communities.”
In a special feature, the Liverpool Plains Silo Art was lit up with a dedicated Business Awards projection.
Major partner Joblink Plus supported the awards.
“It’s the outstanding business community that makes the New England North West such a vibrant place to live, work and invest,” said Joblink Plus CEO Emily Roy.
All entries were assessed by an independent panel of experienced judges.
The regional winners will now go on to the Business NSW State Business Awards in Sydney on Friday, 30 October.
“These businesses and individuals are creating jobs, investing in their communities, embracing new opportunities and helping shape the future of the New England North West,” Ms Cameron said.
“We are incredibly proud to recognise their achievements and now look forward to seeing our regional winners represent the New England North West on the state stage.”
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