The Casino Food Co-op has been named the region's standout business of the year at the Northern Rivers 2022 Regional Business Awards.
Business NSW announced the winners of this year's awards at an event held with 200 local business leaders at Southern Cross University on Saturday night.
"It was a wonderful night of celebration. You could feel the connection between everyone and the sense of comradery amongst a group of truly dedicated regional business leaders," Regional Director Northern Rivers, Business NSW, Jane Laverty said.
Overall winner, The Casino Food Co-op, employs more than 1000 people and is regarded as an industry leader in 'state of the art' meat processing.
The independent judges praised the company for its passion and commitment to business excellence, dedication to a diverse and inclusive workplace, and committed approach to sustainable business practices.
Presented by Professor Richard Dunford of Southern Cross University, the Business of the Year Award was awarded to The Casino Food Co-op after taking out three other categories on the night including Outstanding Business Leader to CEO Simon Stahl, Excellence in Diversity & Inclusion, and Excellence in Sustainability.
"The Casino Food Co-op were well deserving winners of a number of categories and recognised as a business that has achieved outstanding results for business performance and also demonstrating all-round excellence in business," Mrs Laverty said.
"The Northern Rivers Regional Business Awards are all about celebrating and showcasing the diverse talent we have in the Northern Rivers business community and this year's finalists and winners should feel incredibly proud to be named as the region's leading businesses and leaders for 2022.
"It's been a tough number of years for many businesses, so these awards are a wonderful opportunity to shine a spotlight on the ingenuity, strength and resilience of all the finalists."
Winners will now represent the region at the State Business Awards to be held on November 18 in Sydney.
"I am really looking forward to seeing Team Northern Rivers, our regional winners, represent our broader business community on the State stage," Mrs Laverty said.
Northern Rivers 2022 Regional Business Awards Winners & Highly Commended Recipients
Outstanding Employee - sponsored by Yellow Brick Road
Winner: Lisa Marx, Success Martial Arts, Lismore
Highly Commended: Myra Sessions, Mareeba Aged Care, Clarence Valley
Outstanding Young Business Leader - sponsored by TURSA
Winner: Matt Plain, Planit Consulting, Ballina Shire
Highly Commended: Amelia Hicks, Old Quarter Coffee Merchants, Ballina Shire
Outstanding Business Leader - sponsored by Clarence Property
Winner: Simon Stahl, The Casino Food Co-op, Richmond Valley
Highly Commended: Chris Jewell, Zepto, Byron Shire
Employer of Choice - sponsored by Apprenticeship Careers Australia
Winner: Barefruit Marketing, Ballina Shire
Highly Commended: Santos Organics, Byron Shire
Excellence in Export - sponsored by Cassegrain Wines
Winner: BeeInventive, Ballina Shire
Highly Commended: Ozganics Australia
Excellence in Innovation - sponsored by Southern Cross University
Winner: Zepto, Byron Shire
Highly Commended: ENV Solutions, Ballina Shire
Excellence in Sustainability - sponsored by North Coast Events
Winner: The Casino Food Co-op, Richmond Valley
Highly Commended: Casino Returned Services Memorial Club, Richmond Valley
Outstanding Local Chamber - sponsored by Business NSW
Winner: Business Lismore
Highly Commended: Byron Bay Chamber of Commerce
Outstanding Community Organisation - sponsored by Colourworks
Winner: Byron Bay Community Centre, Byron Shire
Highly Commended: Rotary Club of Ballina-on-Richmond, Ballina Shire
Excellence in Diversity & Inclusion - sponsored by BusyAbility
Winner: The Casino Food Co-op
Highly Commended: Sistability, Ballina Shire
Outstanding Start Up - sponsored by Sourdough
Winner: Holy Joe, Byron Shire
Highly Commended: Paperbark Death Care & Funerals, Tweed Shire
Excellence in Micro Business - sponsored Entrepreneurs Program
Winner: Jessica Maguire, Tweed Shire
Highly Commended: Five Sixty Farms, Lismore
Excellence in Small Business - sponsored by TAFE
Winner: Early Up, Tweed Shire
Highly Commended: Sistability, Ballina Shire
Excellence in Large Business - sponsored by Southern Cross University
Winner: NORCO Cooperative, Lismore
Highly Commended: Summit Sport & Fitness, Lismore
Northern Rivers Business of the Year
The Casino Food Co-op, Richmond Valley.
