Warrigal, which last year took out the top gong and two other accolades at the IMB Bank Illawarra Business Awards — is gunning for the Excellence in Sustainability award this year. Photo: Josh Brightman.
A record number of applications have poured in for the region’s most prestigious business celebration, with finalists for the 2025 IMB Illawarra Business Awards now revealed.
Finalists were announced in a fresh, digital-first format today, with Business Illawarra rolling out the names via a series of videos posted every half hour across its social media platforms.
“The 2025 IMB Illawarra Business Awards are held annually by Business Illawarra, but they are a celebration of business throughout the region; they are everyone’s awards,” Business Illawarra director Coralie McCarthy said.
“We are honoured to be the custodian of such an important way to recognise local business.”
Ms McCarthy said the response to this year’s awards reflected the strength and resilience of the local business community.
“We have had a record-breaking number of applications this year and a team of over 30 committed judges, coordinated and audited by the amazing KPMG. So many business leaders come together and willingly give their time and skills for this locally run and coordinated event,” she said.
“I understand Shoalhaven awards had a record number of applications as well, and their results will soon come through. We’re also excited to have finalists from Kiama’s inaugural business awards join in.”
Business Illawarra director Coralie McCarthy said the record number of applications pointed to the strength and resilience of the region’s business landscape. Photo: Business Illawarra.
A panel of more than 30 independent judges, coordinated and audited by KPMG, spent weeks assessing submissions across 18 categories.
“I don’t see the applications, and I find out who the winners are the same time everyone else does — quite deliberately, because I am terrible at keeping secrets,” Ms McCarthy said.
“I do know, however, that the calibre of applicants was, as always, exceptional, and I can’t wait to see who wins on the night.”
Finalists represent a broad cross-section of industries, from sustainability pioneers and tech innovators to health care providers, microbusinesses and not-for-profit organisations.
Winners from local chambers and the Kiama and Shoalhaven awards will go on to compete at the regional level, with winners announced at the “night of nights for the business community” in September.
The full list of finalists is:
Excellence in Tech
- AST Technologies, Wollongong
- Green Gravity, North Wollongong
- Propel Technologies, Unanderra
Outstanding Employee
- Courtney Torresan – The Cram Foundation, Shellharbour City Centre
- Diesel Mitchell – Propel Technologies, Unanderra
- Jessica Brodie – Edmen Community Staffing Solutions, Shellharbour City Centre
- Mikayla Hodges – Dignam Real Estate, Bulli
- Sarah Wilson – Multicultural Communities Council of Illawarra, Wollongong
- Sarah Rebbeck – Kiama Leagues Club, Kiama
- Tiarna Snow – Housing Trust, Coniston
Outstanding Young Business Leader
- Aaron Mulhall – Specialised Energy Solutions, Yallah
- Ariel Miners – MitchCap, Wollongong
- Daniel Licastro – Buckaroo Leatherworks, Bellambi
- Karlie Zec – Tiny Tins, Unanderra
- Sid Curran – Curran Plumbing Electrical Heating & Air, Albion Park Rail
- Trent Hilaire – Hill to Air, Gerringong
Outstanding Business Leader
- Amy Hall – Banksia Support Services, Wollongong
- John Lamont – Nowchem, Nowra
- Kate Dezarnaulds – Worklife, Berry
- Kylie Moffitt – PhysioHealth Corrimal, Corrimal
- Dr Laura Clarke – Joint Vision Orthopaedic Group, Wollongong
- Matthew Radnidge – Symbio Wildlife Park, Helensburgh
- Sally Dillon – Revolution Consulting Group, Corrimal
Excellence in Workplace Culture
- Ava Maria Disability and Mental Health Services, Unanderra
- Big Fat Smile, Wollongong
- Housing Trust, Coniston
- Joint Vision Orthopaedic Group, Wollongong
- Symbio Wildlife Park, Helensburgh
Excellence in Innovation
- Banksia Support Services, Wollongong
- Big Purple Phone, Gerringong
- Green Gravity, North Wollongong
- Joint Vision Orthopaedic Group, Wollongong
- PhysioHealth Corrimal, Corrimal
Excellence in Sustainability
- Green Gravity, North Wollongong
- Ozeano Eyewear, Kiama Downs
- Tiny Tins, Unanderra
- Warrigal, Oak Flats
Outstanding Community Organisation
- Dress for Success NSW & ACT – Illawarra, Warrawong
- Housing Trust, Coniston
- Multicultural Communities Council of Illawarra (MCCI), Wollongong
- Need a Feed, Corrimal
- The Cram Foundation, Shellharbour City Council
- The Flagstaff Group, Unanderra
Outstanding New Business
- Dharawal Distilling Co, Bellambi
- Professional Drone Imagery, Corrimal
- Saunaus, Wollongong
- Shellharbour Marina, Shell Cove
- Slow Dough, Kiama
- Workplace Advantage, Bulli
Excellence in International Business
- Buckaroo Leatherworks, Bellambi
- Sicona Battery Technologies, Wollongong
Excellence in Diversity and Inclusion
- Buckaroo Leatherworks, Bellambi
- Green Yakka, Port Kembla
- Multicultural Communities Council of Illawarra (MCCI), Wollongong
- The Flagstaff Group, Unanderra
Excellence in Micro Business
- Banksia Support Services, Wollongong
- Crime Story, Port Kembla
- Hill to Air, Gerringong
- Italian Cooking Experience with Stefano Marvello, Moss Vale
- Scribbly Gum Photography, Corrimal
- This Old House Studio, Kiama
- What’s on in Wollongong / Parent Guide Illawarra, Balgownie
Excellence in Small Business
- Big Purple Phone, Gerringong
- Burnetts on Barney, Kiama
- Green Gravity, North Wollongong
- PhysioHealth & Sports Injury Clinic, Corrimal
- Shellharbour Marina, Shell Cove
- Tiny Tins, Unanderra
Excellence in Large Business
- CareSouth, Berkeley
- Curran Plumbing Electrical Heating & Air, Albion Park Rail
- Health Staff Australia, Kiama
- IOH Health, Wollongong
- Joint Vision Orthopaedic Group, Wollongong
Outstanding Local Chamber
- Berry Chamber of Commerce and Tourism, Berry
- Kiama Business Network, Kiama
- Robertson Business Chamber, Robertson
- Shoalhaven Business Chamber, Nowra
Outstanding Visitor Experience
- Cupitt’s Estate, Ulladulla
- Stand Up Paddle Boarding Shellharbour, Barrack Heights
- Symbio Wildlife Park, Helensburgh
- The Links Shell Cove, Shell Cove
Excellence in Sustainable Tourism
- Cupitt’s Estate, Ulladulla
- Symbio Wildlife Park, Helensburgh
Tickets are on sale for the glittering black-tie gala, to be held on Friday 19 September at the WIN Entertainment Centre, Wollongong.
