Illawarra Women in Business founders and earliest supporters (left to right) Delyse Del Turco, Dianne Chalk, Glenda Papac and Suzanne Kent. Photos: NEG Photography.
It was equal parts cheers and tears as, 17 years after claiming the inaugural Illawarra Women in Business Awards themselves, 2009 Young Business Woman Angela Saville and 2009 Business Woman of the Year Katrina Rowlands handed the very same awards to the 2026 winners.
Orlane Mortimer of Wollongong Crane Trucks was named 2026 IWIB Young Business Woman of the Year at the region’s premier women in business awards, while the 2026 IWIB Business Woman of the Year went to Dr Meghan Dares of Joint Vision Orthopaedic Group.
They shared in 20 awards — winners and highly commended — across what has swelled to 13 categories since the inaugural awards.
Former young business woman of the year Angela Saville (Savvy Fitness) congratulated the winners, promising the impact of the awards wouldn’t just last a season.
“In all the years since I was named Young Business Woman I never lost the amazing support, backing and authentic, genuine care from Glenda and the Illawarra Women in Business Community, and that’s been incredible,” she said.
“Thank you to all the founders and everyone who has contributed to this organisation because the landscape we’re in right now is limitless, and it’s organisations like this that have lifted us into this exciting space where the possibilities are endless.”
Orlane Mortimer said she felt “incredibly humbled and honoured” to be named 2026 Young Business Woman of the Year, before making a tear-jerking dedication to her late father.
“The past year has no doubt been the hardest in my life after I lost my dad. He was not only my dad, he was my business partner, my mentor in life and my very best friend,” she said.
“He taught me the foundations of everything I know about running our business, but more importantly, the value of hard work, loyalty and looking after others. Wollongong Crane Trucks is something we built together and I will forever instil his lessons, work ethic and belief in me to continue the successful operation we established.”
Former business woman of the year Katrina Rowlands (Mortgage Success) took the opportunity to make a rallying cry for the businesswomen of the Illawarra to unapologetically shout their successes from the rooftops.
“This is an event that allows you to tell your stories. My wish is to continue to recognise, celebrate and talk about your success,” she said. “So please, continue to share your stories, be part of events like this and become loud achievers.”
The Illawarra Women in Business Awards recognise excellence and the significant contributions women in business make to the region.
IWIB director Glenda Papac said judging, as always, was exceptionally hard, and congratulated all finalists, winners and the sector at large.
“I commend everyone in business, whether business owners or employees working to make a difference, powering through and doing their best, making the most of how things are at the moment,” she said.
“The finalists demonstrated exceptional skills but the word that stuck in my mind as it does every year is ‘passion’. You have to love what you do to do it well and be good at it.
“They are women who’ve demonstrated their expertise and leadership, and their commitment to our community is phenomenal.”
The awards doubled as a 20th anniversary celebration for IWIB, an organisation that has swelled in membership, and hosted major keynote speakers including Turia Pitt, Dawn Fraser, Ian Thorpe, Matt Moran, Jana Pittman, The Block’s Mitch and Mark, Lisa Curry and Jelena Dokic, with the legendary Cathy Freeman earmarked for later this year.
Glenda acknowledged the organisation’s supporters, from the earliest right through to today.
“As they say it takes a village and I can testify to that,” she said. “I thank our subscribers, friends and supporters for making IWIB possible for the last 20 years. Thank you for turning up and being part of it.”
The 2026 IWIB Illawarra Women in Business Award winners were:
- 2026 IWIB Champion Networker
Winner: Mariana Zurak, Relativity Films - 2026 IWIB Outstanding Commitment to the Community
Winner: Nardia Guillaumier, NEG Photography - 2026 IWIB Outstanding Employee
Winner: Tash Hedges, Wallawa Traffic Group - 2026 IWIB Outstanding Executive Employee
Winner: Brodie Meney, Symbio Wildlife Park - 2026 IWIB Outstanding Customer Focus
Highly Commended: Hello Petal Flowers
Winner: Always Education - 2026 IWIB Innovative Business Woman
Winner: Dr Meghan Dares, Joint Vision Orthopaedic Group - 2026 IWIB Outstanding Not for Profit or Charity
Winner: Women Illawarra - 2026 IWIB Best New Business
Highly Commended: 360 Cleaning and Maintenance
Winner: The Industry Performing Arts Studio - 2026 IWIB Best Home-Based Business
Winner: FLW Connect - 2026 IWIB Best Small Business
Highly Commended: Malia the Label
Winner: Wollongong Crane Trucks - 2026 IWIB Best Business
Highly Commended: Joint Vision Orthopaedic Group
Highly Commended: Olive Care Disability Services
Winner: Active Property Conveyancing - 2026 IWIB Young Business Woman of the Year
Winner Orlane Mortimer: Wollongong Crane Trucks - 2026 IWIB Business Woman of the Year
Highly Commended: Kylie Moffitt PhysioHealth Corrimal
Highly Commended: Nikki Aitchison The Illawarra Hotel
Winner: Dr Meghan Dares – Joint Vision Orthopaedic Group
