Community Champion

The 2025 Whitsunday Business Award – Community Champion– businesses and not-for-profits in the Whitsunday region that make a significant and lasting difference through meaningful community contributions and initiatives. This award celebrates organisations that actively support and strengthen the local community’s wellbeing and development.

Who Can Enter

The Community Champion award is open to all businesses and organisations operating within the Whitsunday region, including for-profit enterprises, not-for-profits, and social enterprises.

Eligible entrants must demonstrate a genuine commitment to making a positive and meaningful impact within the local community through initiatives, partnerships, or support programs.

Key Dates

Applications close 11:59pm Sunday 7 September 2025
Finalists announced week commencing Monday 29 September 2025
Whitsunday Business Awards announcement and event will be held Friday 14 November 2025

Need help?

Please contact the Whitsunday Business Awards administration team with any questions via admin@whitsundaycoastchamber.com.au

Eligibility, Terms & Conditions

Eligibility

Entrants must operate a registered business within the Whitsunday Regional Council area.
Businesses or individuals must have been operational for at least 12 months at the time of entry, unless entering a category that permits new or emerging businesses.
Entrants must demonstrate ethical business practices and compliance with all applicable laws and regulations.
Sole traders, not-for-profits, and social enterprises are eligible to apply where relevant to category criteria.

Entry Requirements

All entries must be submitted via the official online nomination form by the published closing time and date of 11:59pm Sunday 7 September 2025. Entries submitted after this deadline will not be considered.
Entrants can apply to a maximum two award categories but must submit a separate application for each.
All responses must be truthful and accurate to the best of the entrant’s knowledge.

Judging

Entries will be assessed by an independent panel of judges appointed by the award program partners.
Entries that are incomplete, off-topic, or fail to sufficiently address the award criteria may be deemed ineligible and will not be forwarded to judges.
Judges’ decisions are final, and no correspondence will be entered into regarding outcomes.
The Judging Panel reserves the right to withdraw any entry if the business or nominee is found to have brought the Awards or award program partners into disrepute.
The Judging Panel reserves the right to move entries between categories if deemed more appropriate.

Confidentiality

All information submitted will be treated as confidential and used solely for the purpose of judging.
Judges and award program administrators are bound by confidentiality agreements.

Promotion and Media

By entering, finalists and winners agree to have their business name, logo, and images used for promotional purposes related to the Awards.
Event photography and videography may be used for marketing and reporting purposes by the award program partners.

Costs

There is no cost to enter the Awards. Finalists are responsible for their own attendance and any associated costs to attend the Awards Event.

I have read, understood, and agree to the terms and conditions of the Whitsunday Business Awards and this award category. *YesNo

I am willing and able to provide evidence, if requested, demonstrating ethical business practices and compliance with all relevant laws and regulations. *YesNo

I grant permission for my contact details to be shared with regional media for potential interviews and publicity opportunities. *YesNo

Business Information

Your First and Last Name *

Business Name: *

Australian Business Number (ABN) *

Email Address *

Phone *

Street Address/Business Location *

Suburb

State

Post code

Business Website

PART 1 - What do you do?

This section is worth 10 points.

1.1 Describe your business or organisation (max. 300 words, 10 points) *0 / 300

PART 2 - Your Story

This section is worth 30 points.

2.1 What inspired you to start, and how have you driven growth and innovation? (maximum 300 words, 10 points) *0 / 300

2.2 What challenges have you overcome, and what does resilience mean to you? (maximum 300 words, 10 points) *0 / 300

2.3 How is your organisation making a difference now, and what legacy do you aim to build? (maximum 300 words, 10 points) *0 / 300

PART 3 - Community Contribution

This section is worth 40 points.

3.1 What contributions has your business or organisation made to the Whitsunday community? (maximum 300 words, 10 points) *0 / 300

3.2 What impact have these efforts had on individuals, groups, or the broader community? (maximum 600 words, 20 points) *0 / 600

3.3 How do you foster a culture of community engagement and responsibility within your team or network? (maximum 300 words, 10 points) *0 / 300

PART 4 - Why You Stand Out

This section is worth 20 points.

4.1 What sets your business or organisation apart? (maximum 300 words, 10 points) *0 / 300

4.2 Why should you be recognised as a Community Champion? (maximum 300 words, 10 points) *0 / 300

Supporting Material

To support your application, you can upload up to three (3) supporting files (such as testimonials, reports, visuals, media coverage) and an optional video on why you should win.

Supporting document #1Maximum 20MB

No file chosen

Supporting document #2Maximum 20MB

No file chosen

Supporting document #3Maximum 20MB

No file chosen

90-second video explaining why you deserve to win (optional)Maximum 20MB

No file chosen

High-resolution image of your business logo. *Maximum 20MB

No file chosen