Dan Repacholi (Hunter, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I want to recognise the outstanding finalists from the Hunter electorate in the 2026 Hunter Region Business Excellence Awards. This year, the Hunter electorate absolutely dominated these awards. We have had by far the greatest number of nominations and the greatest number of finalists anywhere across the region. And that comes to no surprise for those of us that know Hunter best. We know that, when it comes to hard work, innovation, resilience and community spirit, nobody does it better than the people and the businesses of the Hunter.

I want to congratulate all the finalists: Anytime Fitness Kuri Kuri, Australian Wildlife Parks, Beyond Ballooning, Bridgestone Select Tyre and Auto Huntlee, Dragonfly Cakes, HarmonyHive HR, Hunter Health Insurance, Hunter Valley Flooring Xtra, Hunter Valley Stays Australia, Hunter Valley Taxico, Hunter Valley Tours, Ingenia Holidays Hunter Valley, Initial Response Group, KFIT and Body, Kissofire Hunter Valley Butterscotch, McCaffrey's Estate, Mountainside Counselling, SK Podiatry Plus, Newcastle Counselling Services, Peterson House, Reformed Bookkeeper, Just ROLL with it Huntlee, Ruthless Rituals, Sidecar Roasters, Vintage Connections, Huntlee Fitness, Wine Fairy Events, Adina Vineyard and Olive Grove, Morgan Engineering, Scott Porter Gardens, Springhill Beef Co. and Vines Restaurant at Hollydene Estate Wines.

These businesses are the backbones of our communities. They are the businesses sponsoring the local footy teams, employing the local workers, backing local events and keeping our regional economy strong. From small family run enterprises through to major employers, these finalists reflect the very best of what the Hunter has to offer. The Hunter isn't just Australia's energy heartland. It's also home to some of the most innovative, customer focused and community minded businesses anywhere in this country. Whether it's tourism, manufacturing, hospitality, health, agriculture, trades or professional services, businesses in the Hunter continue to punch well above their weight. These awards recognise businesses that go the extra mile, businesses that back themselves, businesses that understand success comes from hard work and great community values.

While the winners will be announced on 29 May, every finalist has already done their community proud simply by earning recognition in such a competitive field. At a time when regional businesses continue to face rising costs and economic pressures, it's important to recognise the enormous contributions they all make. To every finalist I say thank you. Thank you for backing the Hunter, employing local people and continuing to prove that our region remains one of the greatest economic powerhouses this country has ever had. Thank you all.