Australia’s leading small businesses were celebrated at the 2024 Australian Trades Small Business Champion Awards and the 2024 Australian Women’s Small Business Champion Awards, held on 23 and 24 August in Sydney. 

Known as the ‘Logies of Small Business,’ the glamorous events at The Star attracted around 1,000 small business owners from across Australia’s retail, services, and manufacturing sectors.

At the Australian Trades Small Business Champion Awards, Midwest Fabrication, based in Dalby, Queensland, claimed the top spot in the Manufacturing category for its draper platforms, designed by Australian farmers, for Australian farmers.

Meanwhile, King Island Distillery from Tasmania was recognised in the Manufacturing category at the Australian Women’s Small Business Champion Awards.

Founder Heidi Weitjens expressed her excitement over the win, stating, “With a heart full of gratitude and spirits soaring high, I am both thrilled and humbled by this national recognition of our GINchievements so far, among so many GINtastic women in the manufacturing business.”

The awards attracted entries from across Australia, judged by a panel of small business experts on criteria ranging from growth strategies, profitability, and eco-friendliness to innovation, customer service, and community engagement.

“It’s truly a pleasure to shine a spotlight on these Champion small businesses of Australian manufacturing,” said Steve Loe, managing director of Precedent Productions, which coordinates both awards. 

He added, “Being selected as a Champion from a national pool of thousands speaks volumes of the leadership at Midwest Fabrication and King Island Distillery.”

For the full list of winners, visit championawards.com.au/trades and championawards.com.au/womens.