Whitsunday Business Awards

Recognising the Business of the Year that sets the benchmark for excellence, innovation, and leadership.

Micro to Small Business Division

WINNER: NQ Aerovation
Founded in Bowen almost a decade ago, NQ Aerovation has evolved from a specialist beneficial insect drone operation into a regional commercial drone business. The company provides drone sales, repairs, training, licensing, aerial operations and ongoing support, helping industries including agriculture, mining, ports, renewables and infrastructure adopt technology safely, productively and sustainably.

HIGHLY COMMENDED: Belle Property Whitsundays
Established in late 2024, Belle Property Whitsundays has rapidly built a reputation for expert advice, tailored marketing and strong client service, combining innovative technology with a personalised approach while achieving significant growth across sales and property management.

Medium to Large Business Division

WINNER: Bowen Rail Company
Founded in 2020 and fully operational from 2022, Bowen Rail Company has grown into a 24/7 six-train operation supporting the region’s resources sector. In FY26, the company employed more than 206 people, delivered 1,620 services and moved 11.2 million tonnes, while investing in local jobs, training, technology and operational innovation.

HIGHLY COMMENDED: Magnums Unique Accommodation
Magnums Unique Accommodation has evolved from a backpacker hostel established on its current site in 1986 into an independently operated, award-winning accommodation business. The Hackett family has built its reputation around service, value, local knowledge, sustainability and providing visitors with a genuine Whitsundays experience.

CATEGORY NOMINEES:

• Airlie Adventure Tours
• Airlie Beach Transfers & Tours
• Australian Agave Co.
• Ocean Rafting

Recognising inspiring leaders whose vision, dedication, and influence have driven exceptional business and regional success.

WINNER: Emma Whybird, Edge Dance Studio Whitsunday
Emma has led Edge Dance Studio Whitsunday through significant growth, increasing student numbers from 115 to 289, employees from three to nine and weekly classes to 88. She continues to teach 22 classes each week while investing in professional development, developing emerging leaders and building an inclusive team culture focused on opportunity and growth.

HIGHLY COMMENDED: Hayley Moran, Airlie Health Hub
Hayley identified a gap in the local market for healthy, organic and package-free food and turned the idea into two purpose-driven retail concepts. Airlie Health Hub now works with local producers and Australian suppliers, offering more than 400 plastic-free bulk products while supporting local agriculture, sustainability and community wellbeing.

CATEGORY NOMINEES:

• Aaron Doherty, Coastal Brush
• Stephanie McWhirter, Belle Property Whitsundays
• Tenielle Matheson, Wildlife Whitsundays

Highlighting exceptional employees, apprentices, and trainees who have demonstrated outstanding growth, dedication, and contribution.

WINNER: Giulian Grasso, Whitsunday Law
Giulian joined Whitsunday Law in 2022 in an administrative role and progressed to personal assistant before completing his law degree, practical legal training and practising certificate while working full-time. Now a solicitor, he has taken responsibility for the firm’s criminal practice and continues to build his career while contributing to the local community.

HIGHLY COMMENDED: Soumya Santosh, Tassal
Soumya has progressed from technician to Site Manager at Tassal’s Proserpine prawn hatchery since joining in 2021. With a master’s degree in marine biology, she leads two facilities across production, welfare, biosecurity and safety, while driving improvements in technology, resource use and operational performance.

CATEGORY NOMINEES:

• Dean Leslie, Australian Agave Co.
• Sam Mckay, Hamilton Island Enterprises

Celebrating businesses and individuals who consistently go above and beyond to deliver outstanding customer experiences.

Micro to Small Business Division

WINNER: Bright Patch Café
Since opening in October 2025, Bright Patch Café has built its reputation around creating a safe, welcoming and inclusive experience for its customers. Its focus on personalised service, dietary needs and making people feel genuinely welcome has already earned recognition through the 2026 Australian Good Food Guide Readers’ Choice Awards.

HIGHLY COMMENDED: Coastal Brush
Coastal Brush has built its painting and decorating business around clear communication, reliable service and quality workmanship. Detailed quotes, regular updates, project walkthroughs and aftercare help deliver a consistent customer experience, supported by strong word-of-mouth referrals, repeat clients and positive feedback.

HIGHLY COMMENDED: Hog’s Breath Café Airlie Beach
Under new ownership since July 2024, Hog’s Breath Cafe Airlie Beach has focused on genuine human interaction and full table service. Strong staff training, consistent standards and customer feedback have helped build a loyal following, including more than 300 five-star reviews in its first two years.

Medium to Large Business Division

WINNER: Mark Milligan, Pilcher’s Mitre 10
With more than 20 years’ retail experience and four years at Pilcher’s Mitre 10, Mark Milligan has built a reputation for trusted advice, product knowledge and genuine customer relationships. His solutions-focused approach helps tradies and DIY customers find the right products and practical solutions, contributing to the business’s strong year-on-year performance.

CATEGORY NOMINEES:

• Airlie Beach Tourism
• Airlie Beach Transfers & Tours
• Airlie Health Hub
• Airlie Legal
• Ambitious Cakes
• Bounce Airlie Beach
• Bowen Tourism and Business
• Divine Weddings Whitsundays
• Edge Dance Studio Whitsunday
• Kath Barker, Compass Realty Whitsundays
• Mana Skin Body & Soul
• Rolling with Netherpoel
• Team Whitsundays Body Corporate Management

Recognising businesses and organisations making a meaningful difference through community contributions and initiatives.

WINNER: Whitsunday Counselling & Support
Whitsunday Counselling & Support has provided specialist domestic and family violence and sexual violence services across the Whitsunday region since 1990. The organisation provides free, confidential support including counselling, refuge, court assistance, children’s programs and outreach. In the past year, it supported 1,866 people through a team of 21 staff across the region.

HIGHLY COMMENDED: Bowen Community Op Shop
The Bowen Community Op Shop is a community social enterprise supported by 33 volunteers, with funds retained locally to support initiatives including the food bank, homelessness services and soup kitchen. The purpose-built shop reopened in April 2025, providing affordable goods and inclusive volunteering opportunities for the Bowen community.

CATEGORY NOMINEES:

• Bowen Flexi Care Inc.
• Compass Realty Whitsundays
• GRB Mining
• Healthy Kids Project
• Proserpine Historical Museum Society
• Whitsunday Community Services
• Whitsunday Self Defense Academy
• Wildlife Whitsundays
• Zero Waste Solutions

Recognising businesses or individuals demonstrating bold vision and turning opportunity into action through innovation, expansion, investment, and future-focused thinking, including opportunities connected to Brisbane 2032.

WINNER: GRB Mining
Founded in the Whitsundays in 2021, GRB Mining is developing an integrated regional mining services ecosystem combining technology, training, equipment and capital. Its 90-acre site between Proserpine and Bowen represents an estimated $22 million investment and includes plans for a training facility and digital platform designed to build regional capability.

CATEGORY NOMINEES:

• Bowen Community Council
• Hidden Valley Whitsundays
• Scallywag Fabrication
• Tassal

Celebrating businesses or individuals that have achieved long-term success and made an enduring impact on the region.

WINNER: Whitsunday Neighbourhood Centre
With roots dating back to 1986, Whitsunday Neighbourhood Centre has supported the community for more than 35 years. Its volunteer-governed organisation delivers family support, emergency relief, food security, early childhood and community programs, supported by 16 staff and 54 volunteers. In 2025, its work generated more than $5.5 million in community value.

CATEGORY NOMINEES:

• Bowen Tourism and Business
• Chloe Bauer, Bowen Fisherman’s Seafood Company and Bird’s Fish Bar
• Elizabeth Hackett, Magnums Unique Accommodation, Australian Adventure Tourism Group, and Whitsunday Skyway
• Jennifer Rush, Aquatic Rush
• Lowcock Builders
• Pilcher’s Mitre 10
• Rabia Morris, Whitsunday Wheels
• Wayne Singleton, Queensland Sotheby’s International Realty (Whitsundays)