The Albany Chamber of Commerce and Industry has announced this year’s list of finalists for the prestigious Great Southern Business Awards, recognising the region’s top commercial names.
The finalists were announced on Friday, with more than 150 applications received covering 16 categories.
This year’s business person of the year award will be a tough competition, with Discovery Bay Tourism Precinct chief executive Jen Bane, The Village Childcare’s Harpreet Dhaliwal, In Control Bookkeeping’s Jo Tindale, JK Bookkeeping and Advisory’s Jessica Kinder, and Holistic Legal and Professional Associates’ Mags Irvine all in the running.
Businesses big and small will be recognised, with a category for businesses with up to 10 employees, and another for businesses with more than 10 employees.
In Control Bookkeeping, Denmark Chocolate Company, The Gardens at Bullimah, Tullybrook, Great Southern Seafoods, Fleers Electrical and Rockcliffe Winery are up for the best businesses with up to 10 employees.
Skylar Early Learning, Quality Apartments Banksia Albany, Bodycare Physiotherapy, Anglicare WA, Grande Food Service, Hilton Garden Inn Albany, and Ganzer Electrical are in the running for the best business with more than 10 employees.
Young guns Julie Piesse (The Village Childcare Albany), Tom Caughey (Albany Engineering), Davey Wignall (Ganzer Electrical) and Grace Simpson (Campbell Road Automotive & Motorcycles) are all in the running for the trainee or apprentice of the year.
Young business person of the year finalists are Cwen Paget (Mt Barker Smash Repairs), Haylee Pitts (Southern End Support), Casey Ganzer (Ganzer Electrical), Daniel Bainbridge (Mammoth Music Lessons), Spencer Priestnall (Katanning Fire Wood Services), and Chris Wallace (Acton Belle Property).
Awards for employee of the year, excellence in hospitality and tourism, Indigenous organisation of the year, innovation, love local, new business of the year, and sole traders will also be handed out on the night.
Businesses will also be vying for the coveted overall prize of Great Southern business of the year.
The winners will be announced at a gala night at Retravision Stadium on November 6, with tickets on sale online.
2026 GREAT SOUTHERN BUSINESS AWARDS FINALISTS
Business person of the year
Jen Bane
Harpreet Dhaliwal
Jo Tindale
Jessica Kinder
Mags Irvine
Employee of the year
Leizel Madamecila
Tayla Henderson
Veronica Thomas
Tania Hathaway
Jessica Standish
Jenna Levingston
Lauren Gray
Young business person of the year
Cwen Paget
Haylee Pitts
Casey Ganzer
Daniel Bainbridge
Spencer Priestnall
Chris Wallace
Trainee or apprentice of the year
Julie Piesse
Tom Caughey
Davey Wignall
Grace Simpson
New business
77 Acres Denmark
Wine Tree Estate Chalets
Wild Earth Contracting
Rainbow Coast Socials
Visa Advisory Australia
Mammoth Music Lessons
Businesses with up to 10 employees
In Control Bookkeeping
Denmark Chocolate Company
The Gardens at Bullimah
Tullybrook
Great Southern Seafoods
Fleers Electrical
Rockcliffe Winery
Businesses with over 10 employees
Skylar Early Learning
Quality Apartments Banksia Albany
Bodycare Physiotherapy
Anglicare WA
Grande Food Service
Hilton Garden Inn Albany
Ganzer Electrical
Sole trader
Gleni Bailey — Books
Rainbow Coast Socials
Katanning Firewood Services
Catherine Kate Thomas Celebrant
Valeo Coaching
Jenny Feast Photography
Excellence in tourism
Albany’s Historic Whaling Station
Heyscape
The Gardens at Bullimah
Whale Watch Western Australia
Albany Tours
Denmark Chocolate Company
Excellence in hospitality
The Gardens at Bullimah
Denmark Chocolate Company
Quality Apartments Banksia Albany
BIG4 Middleton Beach Holiday Park
Rustlers Steakhouse and Grill
Hilton Garden Inn Albany
Excellence in sustainability
Great Southern Seafoods
Bee Organised
Albany Skips and Waste Services
Hilton Garden Inn Albany
South Coast Natural Resource Management
Excellence in manufacturing
CGS Engineers
B & P Importers Pty Ltd
Albany Engineering
Excellence in produce & processing
Great Southern Seafoods
Shepherd’s Hut
77 Acres Denmark
Ferngrove Wines
Indigenous organisation of the year
Southern Aboriginal Corporation
Gorenang Moortabiin Aboriginal Corporation
Binalup Aboriginal Corporation
Innovation in business
In Control Bookkeeping
Ganzer Electrical
Tullybrook
LA.ONE Economics & Consulting
BIG4 Middleton Beach Holiday Park
B & P Importers Pty Ltd
Love Local
Mrs Jones Denmark
Shepherd’s Hut