THE AWARDS
Recognising Excellence in Indigenous Enterprise, Employment and Advocacy
The Summit Awards showcase and celebrate leadership and outstanding achievements by businesses, government departments, agencies, organisations and individuals.
Category nominations are judged on their contribution to economic outcomes for Indigenous people and communities across NSW, including through the growth of Indigenous-owned businesses, engagement in government and industry supply chains, and the employment and career advancement of Indigenous people.
Submitting a nomination is an opportunity to recognise leadership, impact and achievement. It helps shine a light on the people and organisations strengthening Indigenous economic outcomes across NSW, while celebrating the ideas, strategies and commitment that drive lasting change.
2026 CATEGORIES
Award Categories
Expand the Eligibility and Judging Criteria sections for each category before submitting a nomination.
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Emerging Indigenous Enterprise of the Year
Celebrates a newly established Indigenous-owned business that has demonstrated exceptional growth, innovation, and market potential — reflecting the ambition and capability of the next generation of leadership in the Indigenous business sector.
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Indigenous Business of the Year – Metro
Honours an established Indigenous-owned business based in an urban setting that exemplifies business excellence, commercial success, and measurable impact in a highly competitive metropolitan market.
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Indigenous Business of the Year – Regional
Recognises a regionally based Indigenous-owned business that has made a significant economic and social impact within its local community and industry — demonstrating strong governance, resilience, and a deep commitment to regional development.
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Indigenous Business Woman of the Year
Recognises an outstanding Indigenous woman business owner who has demonstrated exceptional leadership, resilience, and contribution to her community and sector — honouring her business success and her influence as a mentor, innovator, and changemaker driving Indigenous economic empowerment.
👤
Indigenous Employee of the Year
Awarded to a high-performing Indigenous employee, graduate, trainee or apprentice who has shown dedication, growth, and excellence within their role — embodying professionalism, a commitment to community values, and outstanding leadership potential.
🫱🏽🫲🏾
Industry Partner of the Year
Celebrates a corporate organisation that has gone beyond compliance, establishing deep, authentic impact with Indigenous businesses — honouring consistent investment in capacity building, innovation, and long-term economic inclusion throughout their supply chain.
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NSW Government Department or Agency of the Year
Recognises a government department or agency that has demonstrated exceptional leadership and commitment to Indigenous engagement, actively integrating the NSW Aboriginal Procurement Policy (APP) across its operations and championing systemic change and equitable opportunity.
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Employment, Training, Education and/or Careers Provider of the Year
Celebrates a government or private sector organisation with a strong commitment to, and demonstrated success in, supporting quality Indigenous employment, training, education and careers through programs and initiatives that build the professional capacity of Indigenous people.
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Sustainability & Environmental Impact Award
Celebrates an individual, organisation, or initiative that has demonstrated leadership in environmental stewardship — honouring those who embed sustainable practices and Traditional Knowledge into their operations to care for Country.
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NSW Government Procurement Professional of the Year
Recognises an individual NSW Government procurement professional who has demonstrated outstanding leadership in embedding the NSW Aboriginal Procurement Policy (APP) across their agency. This individual leads by example by strengthening colleagues’ understanding of their obligations under the APP, advancing informed and equitable procurement practice, and championing NSWICC’s Buying on Country – Equitable Procurement Practices (BOC EPP) Training Program as a benchmark for team capability.
👏🏽
Wuu-rri Vending – Empowering Indigenous Enterprise Award
Recognises a Wuu-rri Vending host partner whose vending machine placements have generated the highest financial contribution to the NSWICC's capacity-building programs — celebrating impactful corporate-community partnerships that enable the success of Indigenous youth and enterprise.
Please note: This award is determined separately through the Wuu-rri Vending program and does not accept public nominations.
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MAJOR AWARD
Outstanding Individual or Organisational Contribution to Indigenous Advocacy
This prestigious major award honours an individual or organisation whose career, leadership and advocacy have created profound and lasting change in advancing the rights, representation, and economic empowerment of Indigenous peoples through procurement, business, and employment.
NOMINATIONS
Nominations Close Friday 18 September 2026
Nominations for The Summit 2026 Awards are now open and close on Friday 18 September 2026.
The Awards recognise outstanding leadership and achievement in Indigenous enterprise, employment and advocacy across NSW. Nominations are open across eligible award categories. Please review the Eligibility and Judging Criteria sections for the relevant category before starting your nomination.
You may submit a nomination for yourself, your own organisation, or another eligible person or organisation. Before you begin, please have the direct contact details for the person or organisation being nominated and sufficient information to answer the category-specific questions. You may also upload supporting documentation. The nominated person or organisation will receive an acknowledgement after the nomination is submitted.
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Nominations Open
Nominations open Monday 24 August and close Friday 18 September 2026.
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Judging Panel Review
An independent judging panel will review eligible submissions from Monday 21 to Wednesday 23 September.
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Finalists Announced
Finalists will be notified on Thursday 24 September and announced publicly on Friday 25 September.
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Winners Revealed
Winners will be announced at the Awards and Gala Dinner on Tuesday 3 November 2026.
THE JUDGING PANEL
Meet the The Summit 2026 Awards Judging Panel
The Summit 2026 Awards will be assessed by an experienced judging panel of leaders from business, industry and the Indigenous business community. All eligible nominations will be assessed against the published judging criteria. Judges are required to declare any actual or perceived conflicts of interest, and all nomination materials and judging deliberations remain confidential.
Narelle Anderson
NSWICC Deputy Chairperson and Managing Director, Envirobank Recycling (Australia) Pty Ltd
Narelle Anderson is a Jagera Woman, NSWICC Deputy Chairperson and Managing Director of Envirobank Recycling (Australia) Pty Ltd. She is the proud great niece of the late Senator Neville Bonner and is passionate about Indigenous communities, entrepreneurship and creating meaningful opportunities through business.Narelle has achieved many firsts as an Indigenous person, woman and entrepreneur. Her connection to culture guides her approach to sustainability, innovation and leadership. As she explains, her culture makes her a custodian of the land, so caring for Country through recycling is a natural fit.Through Envirobank Recycling, Narelle is helping change the way Australians, and the world, recycle. Her vision is to use technology to reward consumers for the positive choices they make, while building a more sustainable future for communities and the environment.
Louise McGrath
Head of Industry Development and Policy, Australian Industry Group (Ai Group)
Louise McGrath is Head of Industry Development and Policy at Ai Group, where she shapes national strategies to support Australian industry competitiveness, innovation and global integration. Since joining Ai Group in 2000, Louise has worked extensively with government and industry partners to build policy that strengthens Australia’s industrial base.Her role includes representing industry in national and international forums, including B20 Taskforces, the Global Business Coalition and Free Trade Agreement working groups. She also contributes to advisory panels including CSIRO’s Responsible Use of AI Think Tank, the Modern Slavery Expert Advisory Group and the International Trade Remedies Forum.Louise’s earlier career in wholesale foreign exchange and insurance, combined with her experience in trade missions, business matching and export training, underpins her practical approach to industry growth. She holds a BA in Arabic Language and Culture from Deakin University and an Advanced Diploma in International Trade from RMIT, complemented by studies in Jordan and Egypt.
Bob Hawes
Chief Executive Officer, Business Hunter
Bob Hawes is Chief Executive Officer of Business Hunter, the leading business advocacy and membership organisation for the Hunter region. Since his appointment in 2017, Bob has led the organisation’s strategy, policy development and advocacy agenda, while also overseeing member-development programs and events.Before joining Business Hunter, Bob served as Director of the Hunter Development Corporation, where he led city and regional transformation initiatives. He has also held senior leadership roles in economic development organisations, including Dantia in Lake Macquarie.With a background in economics and as a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, Bob has contributed extensively to regional boards and advisory groups. His leadership is guided by a belief in building connections between people, businesses and communities to strengthen the Hunter’s economy and support sustainable regional growth.