2026 Judges - Business Excellence Awards

Meet our Judges for 2026

David Stretch

Manager Tourism and Economic Development
Loddon Shire

Fiona Corrigan

Executive Manager – Vic Commercial North & Central
CBA

Janette Martin

CEO
Lifely

Jeff Smith

CEO
Lansell Homes

Jenny Berry

Regional Manager
Australian Industry Group

Cate Keane

Territory Manager – Bendigo
Wilson Storage

Kate Mannix

Chief Executive Officer FCA GAICD
AFS Bendigo

Kathryn Mackenzie

Program Manager
VTIC

Kerry Anderson

Manager
Start Up Central Vic

Kristy Kemp

Founder, President and Principal Social Worker Practitioner
Fostering Love and Sharing Hope Australia Inc

Melissa Buchanan

Principal
Reign Legal

Pam Macdonald

Director
Broadspring Consulting

Sandra Campbell

Customer Service – Guide Dogs Victoria and Previous Franchisee (Brazilian Beauty Bendigo)
Guide Dogs Victoria

Sonia Anthony

Chef/Restauratuer/Hospitality Advocate and lover of all things locally grown and produced

Stuart Husband

Site Manager – Raywood
Balco, Australia

Susan Bibby

Owner/CEO
My Vet Strathfieldsaye

Rhianwen Seiter

Kate Newman

Todd Newman Builders

Michelle Symes

City of Greater Bendigo – (Bendigo UNESCO City of Gastronomy)
Gastronomy Project Officer

Judging Categories

Employer of Choice

Jenny Berry
Jeff Smith
Kate Mannix

Micro and Home-based

Adam Carswell
Cate Keane
Kerry Anderson

Education and Training

David Stretch
Stuart Husband
Emma Nielson

Small and Succeeding

Sandra Campbell
Fiona Corrigan
Melissa Buchanan

Not-For-Profit

Kristy Kemp
Jeanette Martin
Pam MacDonald

Creative Industries

Adam Carswell
Cate Keane
Kerry Anderson

Regional Woman in Business

Kathryn Mackenzie
Susan Bibby
Kate Newman

Young and Professional

Sandra Campbell
Fiona Corrigan
Melissa Buchanan

Retail

Kathryn Mackenzie
Susan Bibby
Kate Newman

Hospitality, Tourism and Experiences

Rhianwen Seiter
Dean Oberin
Michelle Symes

Manufacturing

David Stretch
Stuart Husband
Emma Nielson

Technology and Digital

Jenny Berry
Jeff Smith
Kate Mannix

Community Minded

Kristy Kemp
Jeanette Martin
Pam MacDonald

Trade

Jenny Berry
Jeff Smith
Kate Mannix

Leader of the Year

David Stretch
Stuart Husband
Emma Nielson

Health and Care

Kristy Kemp
Jeanette Martin
Pam MacDonald

Emerging and Energised

Adam Carswell
Cate Keane
Kerry Anderson

Customer Focused

Brooke Pearce
Susan Bibby
Kate Newman

Professional Services

Sandra Campbell
Fiona Corrigan
Melissa Buchanan

Be.Awards 2026

Business Of The Year Award

Presented by Bendigo Bank. Will your business be in the spotlight this year? This award recognises a business that has...

Climate Leader Award

Presented by Greater Bendigo Climate Collaboration. This award acknowledges business leaders in Greater Bendigo on the road to a zero...

Community Minded Award

Presented by McKern Steel Designed to recognise any type of business, large or small who are committed to be involved...

Creative Industries Award

Presented by La Trobe’s Emporium Creative Hub. Creative industries come in all shapes, sizes and mediums. This award is for...

Customer Focused Award

Presented by The Support People The be-all and end-all. This award recognises businesses that go above and beyond for their...

Education and Training Award

Presented by Australian Industry Group Education and training providers play a crucial role in building skills, capability, and future workforce...

Emerging and Energised Award

Presented by WIN Network. This is for newcomers (a minimum of 12 months, but less than 3 years in operation)...

Employer of Choice Award

Presented by Gawk Great businesses are built by great workplaces. This award recognises organisations that demonstrate exceptional people practices, a...

Health and Care Award

Presented by Monash University Rural Health. A large industry sector in Greater Bendigo, this award recognises businesses that provide excellence...

Hospitality, Tourism and Experiences Award

Presented by Destination Greater Bendigo Loddon. Celebrating the businesses that showcase Greater Bendigo as a destination of choice, this award...

Leader of the Year

This award recognises experienced business professionals who are driving meaningful change across Greater Bendigo. It celebrates individuals who demonstrate strong...

Manufacturing Award

Presented by JL King & Co. Designed to recognise manufacturers that display innovation and best practice in the creation of...

Micro and Home-based Award

Small in size but big in impact, this award celebrates micro and home-based businesses that demonstrate innovation, resilience, and strong...

Not-for-profit Award

Presented by Bendigo Advertiser For organisations where a positive social impact is at the core of their purpose. They are...

Professional Services Award

Presented by Triple M Designed to recognise professional services offering B2C/B2B solutions and customised, knowledge-based services. Some example businesses include...

Regional Woman in Business Award

Presented by Bendigo UFS. We must continue to play an important role in raising the profile of women in business...

Retail Award

Presented by The City of Greater Bendigo Retail businesses play a vital role in shaping vibrant communities and delivering engaging...

Small and Succeeding Award

Presented by Agnico Eagle For businesses punching above their weight, our small businesses are the heartbeat of the Greater Bendigo...

Technology and Digital Award

Presented by Bendigo TAFE Recognising businesses who demonstrate their expertise through either advanced digital processes or the development or delivery...

Trade Business Award

Trades are the backbone of our local economy, delivering the skilled services that keep our community operating every day. This...

Young and Professional Award

Presented by Alkane Resources Recognising our emerging business leaders highlights the future success of Greater Bendigo. This award importantly focusses...

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