Valleys Business Network Business Awards 2026

A celebration of every business doing good work across the Clare and Gilbert Valleys and surrounds.

Every industry. Every town. Every business that calls this region home.

The VBN Business Awards exist to make great local businesses visible, and to give the Valley something to celebrate together.

Nominations are now closed — thank you to everyone who nominated a business!

Vote for the People's Choice Award View Key Dates

Not a competition. A celebration.

Most awards programs recognise the loudest or the most visible. These ones are designed to recognise businesses doing good work quietly, across all industries and all towns, not just the ones that get the most attention.

The judging panel is local. The process is thorough. And VBN membership is not required to nominate or to win.

Award Categories

Best Professional Service Business

For the accountant, lawyer, consultant or advisor who makes doing business in the Valley easier.

Best Cafe or Restaurant

For the place that feeds the Valley well.

Best Retail Business

For the businesses keeping our main streets worth visiting.

Best Beauty or Wellness Service

For the businesses that look after people.

Best Arts, Culture or Entertainment Business

For the businesses that make the Valley a more interesting place to live and visit.

Best Tourism or Visitor Experience Business

For the businesses that show visitors what the Valley is really about.

Best Community Service or Club

For the groups that hold the community together.

People's Choice Award

Decided by public vote. Reflects the wider community's view of a business that is trusted, valued and supported across the Valley.

Vote Now

How Nominations Work

  1. 1

    Nominate

    Nominate a business you think deserves recognition. Any member of the public can nominate any eligible business.

  2. 2

    We reach out

    We contact the nominated business and invite them to provide more information for the judging panel.

  3. 3

    Judging

    A local judging panel reviews all submissions and selects finalists. The People's Choice Award is decided by public vote on this website.

  4. 4

    Awards Evening

    Finalists are announced in early September. Winners are announced at the Awards Evening in late September 2026.

Who Can Be Nominated

The Awards are open to any business that:

  • Operates within the Clare and Gilbert Valleys and surrounds (from Burra to Balaklava)
  • Has been trading for a minimum of six months
  • Is of any size, sector or structure

VBN membership is not required to nominate or to be nominated.

Nominations Are Now Closed

Thank you to everyone who nominated a business this year. The nomination phase has now closed — see the Key Dates below for what happens next.

Key Dates

1 July 2026 Nominations opened
Now closed Nominations closed
Early August 2026 VBN contacts nominated businesses
Late August 2026 Judging panel reviews submissions
Early September 2026 Public voting opens for the People's Choice Award
Monday 28 September 2026 Awards Evening, winners announced

Awards Evening will be held in the Main Hall at Clare Town Hall (moved from the original room due to another booking).

Questions about the Awards? Get in touch.