Accenture Australia Product Innovation Award
Winner: Carbonaught
The Carbonaught Protocol™ combines mining-scale logistics with a commercial system that pays farmers more for producing low-emission crops from Australia’s premium export markets. By using enhanced weathering with basalt instead of synthetic fertilisers, the protocol cuts emissions, saves on fertiliser costs and improves soil health. Farmers benefit from reduced input costs, while earning more through premium export channels, especially to markets with strict environmental standards like Japan. Carbonaught’s approach delivers measurable environmental gains alongside better financial returns for farmers, offering a practical solution that links agriculture with the growing global demand for low-emission products.
ANZ High-Growth Business Award
Winner: Australian Country Choice
Australian Country Choice (ACC) has spent five decades crafting premium beef and now produces 1.38 billion servings annually – enough to feed every Australian 50 times a year, or almost once a week. Additionally, the medical byproducts it exports have saved/improved an estimated 7 million lives globally. More recently, ACC has expanded into export sales of its own brand – securing 1% of total national beef exports in only three years and seeing the cumulative value change of exports rise from zero to 172%. An Australian family-owned and operated company, ACC is a proud, home-grown success story in a market dominated by international heavyweights.
Special Mention: TACTIC
TACTIC is revolutionising the commercial office landscape with a comprehensive, end-to-end approach that integrates workplace strategy, leasing advisory, workplace design, furniture advisory, and fitout construction. Led by seasoned industry experts, TACTIC offers a single point of contact for transformative office projects, ensuring unmatched project optimisation and efficiency. Its unified capabilities deliver exceptional results, from enhanced workplace environments and streamlined construction programs to improved workplace culture and increased employee productivity. With its groundbreaking service model, TACTIC guarantees a seamless process and impactful outcomes, establishing itself as a pioneering leader in the commercial office sector.
Australia Pacific LNG Business Transformation Award
Winner: HTA Group
HTA Group is a family-owned company offering unique thermal processing services to the metal industry. Operating for 50-plus years, HTA has grown from a one-man show to a team of 60 across four branches: Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne and Los Angeles. Establishing in Los Angeles has enabled HTA to further serve customers efficiently across the US. HTA has overcome challenges in R&D, equipment acquisition and quality systems development through developing cutting-edge technology, investing in advanced equipment and achieving NADCAP and AS9100 accreditation. Looking forward, HTA aims for further expansion and aspires to be globally recognised as a leader in advanced manufacturing.
Business Chamber Queensland Small Business Award
Winner: Blaklash
Blaklash is deeply invested in Magandjin/Meeanjin, now called Brisbane, fostering meaningful connections and driving positive change for the community. As a 100% First Nations-owned business, Blaklash is committed to creating opportunities for Indigenous communities through arts, culture, and economic empowerment. By partnering with local businesses, artists, and organisations, it aims to amplify First Nations voices and stories. Its projects span across policy, architecture, landscape architecture, public art, interior design and community engagement, contributing to Brisbane’s cultural landscape. With a strong focus on sustainability and social impact, Blaklash continues to make a lasting difference to the city and its historically unheard communities.
Special Mention: Tom’s Confectionery Warehouse
Tom’s Confectionery Warehouse, a Brisbane institution since 1982, has undergone a remarkable transformation under the leadership of Adiel Ben-Karmona. From its iconic Brisbane location, Tom’s has expanded significantly, including launching its own brands Tom’s Sweets and Dr Sugar, and manufactures over 600 product lines. The business attracts on average 50,000 weekly visitors, with a substantial portion coming from outside Brisbane. Tom’s is committed to community engagement, collaborating with local businesses, contributing to charities, and supporting employment for people with disabilities. By focusing on sustainability and customer experience, Tom’s Confectionery Warehouse continues to be a proud supporter of Brisbane’s vibrant community.
Coraggio International Business Award
Winner: NOJA Power
Founded in 2002 on the aspiration to be the world leader in medium voltage outdoor switchgear, Brisbane company NOJA Power has engineered its way into export success through its Australian designed and built products. The company’s core product, the OSM Recloser, is today installed in 106 countries worldwide, all manufactured from its facility in Murarrie. In financial year 2024, NOJA Power celebrated the 100,000th OSM Recloser built, 90% of which are installed overseas. NOJA Power employs over 300 staff and provides clear proof that Australian manufacturing is not only possible, but that Brisbane engineering can be world class and competitive.
Special Mention: Australian Country Choice
Australian Country Choice (ACC) has spent five decades crafting premium beef and now produces 1.38 billion servings annually – enough to feed every Australian 50 times a year, or almost once a week. Additionally, the medical byproducts it exports have saved/improved an estimated 7 million lives globally. More recently, ACC has expanded into export sales of its own brand – securing 1% of total national beef exports in only three years and seeing the cumulative value change of exports rise from zero to 172%. An Australian family-owned and operated company, ACC is a proud, home-grown success story in a market dominated by international heavyweights.
Dentsu Environmental Sustainability in Business Award
Winner: Rino Recycling
Rino Recycling has made a landmark investment in Brisbane with its state-of-the-art hybrid recycling facility in Pinkenba. In a world first, the facility combines wet and dry processes under one roof and can recycle up to 1.5 million tonnes of construction and demolition waste annually, producing high-quality recycled materials like aggregates, road base and sands. As the largest of its kind globally, the facility processes 475 tonnes of waste per hour without manual intervention. Rino sets a new benchmark for waste recovery, supporting a circular economy and reducing landfill, quarry dependence, and carbon emissions—demonstrating that waste is a valuable raw material for sustainable construction in South East Queensland.
Special Mention: Five Mile Radius
Five Mile Radius is a Brisbane-based design and manufacturing studio known for pioneering the use of sustainable, local materials in construction. Founded in 2019, the studio specialises in architecture and furniture made from construction and demolition waste. With a cross-disciplinary team of architects, designers, and carpenters, Five Mile Radius has diverted nearly 80 tonnes of waste from Brisbane landfills through its furniture range, and designed over $8 million in building projects using circular economy principles. The studio is dedicated to helping Brisbane transition to a circular construction culture, ensuring materials are respected and repurposed for a sustainable future.
Hutchinson Builders Social Enterprise Award
Winner: Future Anything
Future Anything’s mission is to unleash passion, potential and agency in every classroom. It does this through:
1. In-curriculum entrepreneurship: Its award-winning Activate program builds future capabilities, transforming the problems young people care about into innovative ideas that make the world a better place.
2. Integrated educator professional development: It runs engaging, teacher-led programs for educators; unpacking the ‘what’ and, more importantly, the ‘how’ of an innovative and future-focussed approach to teaching and learning.
3. Student workshops: Taking Future Anything into schools, its inspiring facilitators ignite students’ enterprising mindsets over one, two and four-day incursions.
4. Strategic partnerships: It builds powerful partnerships with local governments, innovation bodies and system leaders that bridge the gap between education and innovation ecosystems across Australia.
Special Mention: TradeMutt
TradeMutt is a certified social enterprise workwear company, founded and operated by tradies for tradies. Its mission is to spark conversations about mental health within the blue-collar community. Its funky, eye-catching workwear designs serve as catalysts for open dialogue, breaking down the barriers surrounding mental health challenges. By wearing TradeMutt, individuals actively contribute to a supportive environment where seeking help is normalised. 50% of its profits are dedicated to TIACS, a not-for-profit counselling service providing free professional mental health support to truckies, tradies, farmers and blue-collar workers. Through its work, TradeMutt is empowering individuals, fostering community, and driving positive change in the mental health landscape of the blue-collar workforce.
ISPT Investment in Brisbane Award
Winner: Rino Recycling
Rino Recycling has made a landmark investment in Brisbane with its state-of-the-art hybrid recycling facility in Pinkenba. In a world first, the facility combines wet and dry processes under one roof and can recycle up to 1.5 million tonnes of construction and demolition waste annually, producing high-quality recycled materials like aggregates, road base and sands. As the largest of its kind globally, the facility processes 475 tonnes of waste per hour without manual intervention. Rino sets a new benchmark for waste recovery, supporting a circular economy and reducing landfill, quarry dependence, and carbon emissions—demonstrating that waste is a valuable raw material for sustainable construction in South East Queensland.
Special Mention: Gallipoli Medical Research in partnership with RSL Queensland
In 2012, Gallipoli Medical Research formed a partnership with RSL Queensland to address the research needs of the veteran community. Together, they conducted a groundbreaking world-first study on the physical effects of PTSD among Australian Vietnam Veterans. Dedicated to translational research, this collaboration has developed pioneering global tools to assist current and former Defence members with their military transition and reintegration. These innovative tools will soon be tested with Veteran populations in the UK and Canada. This partnership remains committed to developing tools and solutions tailored to the distinct needs of the Defence community.
oOh!media Micro Business Award
Winner: Small Scholars
Small Scholars is redefining early childhood education with boutique classes for children aged three to six. The Paddington based business was established in 2022 by Amie Sewell, a primary school teacher with a mission to help families make informed decisions about school readiness and ensure children are prepared and excited for their schooling journey. Designed to simulate elements of “big school”, the small classes are run by qualified teachers and have been developed based on research-backed, play-based learning programs tailored to each individual child, ensuring the joy of learning is at the heart of every experience.
Special Mention: OSAAP Australia
OSAAP Australia is a leader in custom organisational solutions, specialising in precision-engineered foam shadow boards, inlays, and tool kits. Established in 2022, the company quickly became a key player in safety-sensitive industries such as aviation, aerospace, defence and medical sectors. OSAAP Australia’s innovative use of proprietary Blue Shadow CAD software, combined with advanced manufacturing processes and premium, solvent-free foam materials, has set new industry standards. Its solutions promote sustainability and support lean manufacturing, helping businesses save money through improved asset control and management. This commitment to excellence has driven local economic growth and solidified its reputation for quality and innovation.
Port of Brisbane Young Business Person of the Year Award
Winner: Mitch Robinson, iDU Identification
Mitch Robinson is the founder of iDU Identification, a company he started at 14 years old from a high school project in 2016. Mitch and his team initially worked closely with venues across Australia to develop the ideal ID scanner. This hands-on approach led to the creation of the iDU scanner, designed to streamline entry processes and enhance safety. Following approval from the Queensland Office of Liquor and Gaming Regulation in 2020, iDU’s scanners have been deployed to over 400 venues worldwide. In 2023, iDU was launched in NZ and the US, and in 2024, Mitch launched a partnership to integrate facial recognition into iDU’s product offering. Under Mitch’s leadership, iDU continues to rapidly scale, with plans to expand beyond the nightlife industry.
The Courier Mail Business Person of the Year Award
Winner: Shaun Munday, Place Design Group
Shaun is the executive chair and a founding partner of Place Design Group, a leading international planning and design consultancy with teams across Australia, Asia-Pacific, and the Middle East. During Shaun’s leadership, Place Design Group has experienced significant growth in Australia and internationally since establishing in 2000. Shaun has more than 30 years’ experience in planning and property; he is a Fellow of the Urban Development Institute of Australia and has held senior policy and committee positions with the Planning Institute of Australia and the PCA. A city planner by trade, Shaun has been and remains the principal consultant on major planning and development projects throughout Queensland, Australia, and internationally. Locally, significant projects include planning of the Waterfront Brisbane and the ministerial designation of the Gallery of Modern Art (GOMA). Internationally, Shaun has led projects in the Middle East, China, Southeast Asia, and the Pacific Islands.
Lifetime Achievement Award
Winner: Harvey Lister AM, ASM Global
During the past 50 years, Harvey Lister and his business partners have been involved in the presentation and management of events spanning sport, the arts, conventions and exhibitions, concerts and general entertainment. He has a wealth of knowledge and practical experience in the design and operation of major public assembly facilities, the events they host, and of the tourism and leisure industries.
Mr Lister was responsible for initially establishing Queensland Leisure to expand into the specialised area of managing major venues, firstly with the Brisbane Entertainment Centre upon its opening in 1986, and later the development of the business into a global network of venues in partnership with the US-based entertainment industry giant AEG.
Following the 2019 merger of AEG Facilities and SMG, two of the world’s leading venue management and services companies, creating the world’s largest venue management company, ASM Global with 330+ venues, Mr Lister became Chairman and CEO of ASM Global (Asia Pacific), responsible for overseeing ASM Global’s portfolio of business activities in Australia, New Zealand, India, Asia, and the Middle East.
To date, Mr Lister has been involved in the presentation of over 40,000 major events including multiple Olympic and Paralympic Games, Commonwealth Games, Invictus Games, Goodwill Games, South East Asia Games, World Title boxing matches, Commonwealth Heads of Government meetings, G20 meetings, World Expos, World Cup Rugby League, World Cup Rugby, Rugby League and Rugby Union International Tests, Asian Cup Football, Test Cricket, One Day and 20/20 Cricket, AFL Football, Basketball and Netball Internationals, major Tennis Tournaments, and literally thousands of global and national conferences, major indoor and outdoor concerts, family events, exhibitions, and touring spectaculars.
Optus Platinum Award
Winner: Rino Recycling
Rino Recycling has made a landmark investment in Brisbane with its state-of-the-art hybrid recycling facility in Pinkenba. In a world first, the facility combines wet and dry processes under one roof and can recycle up to 1.5 million tonnes of construction and demolition waste annually, producing high-quality recycled materials like aggregates, road base and sands. As the largest of its kind globally, the facility processes 475 tonnes of waste per hour without manual intervention. Rino sets a new benchmark for waste recovery, supporting a circular economy and reducing landfill, quarry dependence, and carbon emissions—demonstrating that waste is a valuable raw material for sustainable construction in South East Queensland.