IWIB Business Woman of the Year 2019 Lauren Buhagiar (pictured with IWIB Young Business Woman of the Year 2019 Marie Russo), says the recognition delivered a major visibility boost for her firm, Active Property Conveyancing. Photo: NEG Photography.
Don’t pull your punches if you’re throwing your hat in the ring for the 2026 IWIB Business Women’s Awards.
As the submission deadline draws near, that’s the key message from Active Property Conveyancing owner and former awardee Lauren Buhagiar.
“You can’t afford to be shy in your successes,” she says. “You just can’t wait for recognition to find you — sometimes you have to make it happen.”
With experience at a big law firm and a smaller conveyancing company, Lauren started Active Property Conveyancing as a one-woman show in 2008. A decade later, when she was looking to grow the business, she turned her sights on the IWIB awards.
Lauren was named IWIB Innovative Business Woman in 2018 and in 2019 took the top gong — IWIB Business Woman of the Year.
“We definitely noticed an uptick in agent referrals after that, and even now, seven years later, I feel like that played a part in lifting our profile and putting us at the forefront,” she says.
The awards offer a platform to embrace excellence and celebrate success among the women shaping the future of the region’s business landscape.
Lauren said there were two critical components on the path to being a finalist: a strong application and a stand-out interview.
“It’s worth talking to past winners to get insights on the kinds of interview questions you think they might ask,” she says. “Then, practice.”
All business women from owners to employees, no matter what stage of the business journey they’re at, are encouraged to enter.
The awards comprise 13 diverse categories: Champion Networker, Outstanding Commitment to the Community, Outstanding Customer Focus, Outstanding Charity, Outstanding Employee, Outstanding Executive Employee, Best Home-Based Business, Innovative Business Woman, Best New Business, Best Small Business, Best Business, Young Business Woman of the Year and Business Woman of the Year.
“This year could be your year to shine and enjoy success, and boost morale,” IWIB director Glenda Papac says. “Everyone loves working for an award-winning business.”
Win or lose, the awards themselves are an uplifting experience, according to Lauren.
She says they reflect the inclusivity of IWIB itself.
“My experience with the organisation and in business in the Illawarra is that women want to support and champion other women in business,” she says. “Even in the same industry — I think some of our biggest cheers come from other conveyancers.”
And if you’re on the fence about trying, it’s time to hop off.
“Do it anyway. Even being named a finalist is something you can leverage,” Lauren says.
“Unfortunately, I do think it’s still harder for women in business, and it’s super important, if you’re at a stage where you want to grow your business, to do anything you can to get your name out there.
“And even if you’re not a finalist, the application process is a great learning experience, and the event itself is such a beautiful opportunity to meet, connect with and celebrate women in business.”
Applications for the 2026 IWIB Awards close 5 pm on Monday 2 March and finalists will be announced at the IWIB Awards Finalists Lunch on Friday 20 March at Centro CBD.
