Awards

2025 Awards Sponsors

In 2026, there are eight (8) award categories.

Here is a summary:

Businesswoman of the Year (Business Owner) (6+ employees)

This award acknowledges those women who own and manage their own business of 6+employees/contractors, for their outstanding skills and contribution to their business and the business community. You must own at least 50% of the business and have been in the business for a minimum of 2 years as of 31st January 2026. You may be asked to provide an organisational flow chart of your business.

Small Business Owner (1 to 5 employees)

This award acknowledges those women who own and manage their own business of 1–5employees/contractors: for their outstanding skills and contribution to their business and the business community. You must own at least 50% of the business and have been in the business for a minimum of 2 years as of 31st January 2026.

Indigenous Businesswoman

This award acknowledges those indigenous women who either own their own business or those indigenous women who are employed as a middle or senior manager in the public or private sector, for their outstanding skills and contribution to their business or their employer and the business community. Either way, you must have been in the business for a minimum of 2 years as of 31st January 2026. A Confirmation of Aboriginality or Torres Strait Islander Descendants Form must be provided.

Collaboration of the Year

This award recognises women who co–own and actively manage their own business, celebrating their exceptional skills and contributions to both their business and the broader business community. To be eligible, the business must be co–owned by at least two women who together hold a minimum of 50% ownership. Additionally, the business must have been operational for at least two years as of January 31, 2026.

Sole Entrepreneur

This award acknowledges those women who own and manage their own business with no permanent employees (and maximum one casual staff for up to twenty hours a week); for their outstanding skills and contribution to their business and the business community. You must own100% of the business and have owned the business for a minimum of two years as of 31stJanuary 2026.

Young Entrepreneur

This award acknowledges those women who own and manage their own business for their outstanding skills and contribution to their business and the business community. You must be under the age of 35 as of 31st January 2026. You must own 100% of the business and have owned the business for a minimum of one year as of 31st January 2026.

Manager in Business

This award acknowledges women in the public or private sector for their outstanding skills and contribution to their employer as a middle or senior manager. You must have been in a management role and in the business for a minimum of 2 years as of 31st January 2026.

Michelle Commins Legacy

This award recognises women who volunteer their time and commitment to the community, NFP organisations and charity; in memory of Michelle Commins, a previous CBWC valued Board Member. You must have been volunteering for a minimum of 1 year as of 31st January 2026 and must receive no remuneration for your position.

Eligibility

You do not need to be a member of the CBWC to take part in the awards. Eligibility is determined by the criteria for each Award category listed above. The Awards are open to female residents of Tropical North Queensland, from Cardwell to the Torres Strait and west to the border of the Northern Territory.

However, there are a few exceptions:

If you have been a winner in your nominated category in the 2025 CBWC Awards, you are not eligible to be nominated again in 2026.
If you were a CBWC Board Member, Sub–committee member or Awards Judge in 2025–you are not eligible for the 2026 awards.
You can only enter the Awards under one (1) category and using only one (1) Business Name. If you own a variety of entities, only put the name of one (1) of these entities.
Nominees must have been trading under their “current” business name and be operating in the business, for at least two (2) years as at 31st January 2026 or one (1) year for Young Entrepreneur. This is not applicable for Michelle Commins Awards. The nominee must have lived in the area where their business is currently located for more than two (2) years as of 31st January 2026.

Nominate a "Business Woman"

Previous Winners

2025

Businesswoman of The Year — Michelle Champion, Champions in Real Estate

Small Business Owner of the Year — Ellyse O’Connor, Ellwood Motorcycle Adventures

Sole Entrepreneur of the Year — Kathryn Jordan, Cupkates

Manager in Business of the Year — Rachel Roberts, Bendigo Bank

Young Entrepreneur of the Year — Stacie Galeano, Staged Property and Interior Styling

Indigenous Businesswoman of the Year — Sandra Kemp, Evolution Mining & Civil Pty Ltd

Collaboration of the Year — Rachael Pierotti & Grace Johnston, Small Sprouts Therapy Pty Ltd

Michelle Commins Legacy Award — Libby Cook Black, The Female Co

2024

Businesswoman of The Year — Rochelle Prien, Pro Form Tops

Small Business Owner of the Year — Fleur Sharpe, Di-Vetelact

Sole Entrepreneur of the Year — Kylie Anderson, FOHER Co

Manager in Business of the Year — Zoe Williams, Gulf Savannah NRM

Young Entrepreneur of the Year — Maddison Owens, Bloom Skin, Brows & Beauty

Indigenous Businesswoman of the Year — Connie Rovina, WidiWorks Aboriginal Art Gallery

Collaboration of the Year — Phoebe Kitto & Rebecca Wright, Human Resource Dynamics

Michelle Commins Legacy Award — Stacey Jeanes, Cairns Quality Accounting

2023

Businesswoman of the Year — Suzanne Rath, Wellness Embodied

Small Business Owner of the Year — Colleen Holmes, Colleen Holmes Learning & Development

Sole Entrepreneur of the Year — Anneke Andrews, Disability Specialists

Manager in Business of the Year — Danielle Erskine, Wellness Embodied

Young Entrepreneur of the Year — Georgia Ayris, Dreamy Aesthetics

Indigenous Businesswoman of the Year — Jedess Hudson, Jedess Hudson

Collaboration of the Year — Kirsty Nancarrow & Suzie Cray, eMotion Video Training & Production

Michelle Commins Legacy Award — Margot Biggs, Home of Hope Liberia

2022

Businesswoman of the Year — Krystle Tokunai, Tokunai Hair

Small Business Owner of the Year — Vanessa Allen, Adhesive Communication

Sole Entrepreneur of the Year — Sandy Davies, Happypause

Manager in Business of the Year — Janet McIntyre, My Pathway

Young Entrepreneur of the Year — Sarah Debono, Silk Laser Clinics

Indigenous Businesswoman of the Year — Tahlia O’Brien, Kukubaka

Michelle Commins Legacy – Volunteer of the Year — Nicola Baker, MoyaMoya Australia

2021

Business Woman of the Year — Connie Kang, Cairns Cars

Small Business Owner – Businesswoman of the Year — Ann Granger, Little Aussie Monsters

Sole Entrepreneur – Businesswoman of the Year — Tracey Wilson, Working Visions

Manager in Business – Businesswoman of the Year — Jennifer Pinchen, Cairns Hardware

Michelle Commins Legacy – Volunteer of the Year — Jill Lennox, Ronald McDonald House Charities

2019

Business Woman of the Year — Tarlia Rajeswaran, FNQ Health Pty Ltd

Small Business Owner – Businesswoman of the year — Jo Piggott, Cairns A/C & Refrigeration

Sole Entrepreneur – Businesswoman of the Year — Rachael Hinze, Oh Baby Ultrasound

Manager in Business – Businesswoman of the Year — Emma Takai, Vocational Partnerships Group Inc

Young Entrepreneur Woman of the Year — Michelle Champion, Champions in Real Estate

Indigenous Business Woman of the Year — Donna Corrie, Dee’s Deportment, Grooming & Self Care

Michelle Commins Legacy – Volunteer of the Year — Rachel Macleod, Ocean Guardian

2018

Business Woman of the Year — Hannah Lane, Berry Lane Hair

Small Business Owner – Businesswoman of the Year — Brianah Coates, B’Hive Hair & Beauty

Sole Entrepreneur – Businesswoman of the Year — Leanne Todd, FAmazing Fashion & Beauty Boutique

Manager in Business – Businesswoman of the Year — Julie McNeil, Cairns Hockey Assoc. Inc

Indigenous Business Woman of the Year — Tiarnie Mueller, Outdoor Solutions QLD

Michelle Commins Legacy – Volunteer of the Year — Dianne Austrai-Ombiga, Papua New Guinea & Wontoks Assoc. Cairns Inc.

2017

Business Woman of the Year — Lesley Van Staveren, FNQ Plastics

Small Business Owner – Businesswoman of the Year — Laurie Pritchard, Small World Journeys

Sole Entrepreneur – Businesswoman of the Year — Jannah Dryden, Album Registrar

Manager in Business – Businesswoman of the Year — Jenny Ball, Aveo The Parks Earlville

Young Entrepreneur Woman of the Year — Emma Gelling, Studio 78

Indigenous Business Woman Of The Year — Julie-Ann Lambourne, EnVizion Group Inc

Michelle Commins Legacy – Volunteer of the Year — Amy Eden, Manoora Community Advisory Group

2016

Business Woman of the Year — Barbara Ford, Air Freight Handling Services

Small Business Owner – Businesswoman of the year — Amanda Roberts, Stratford Medical Centre

Sole Entrepreneur – Businesswoman of the Year — Renee Dembowski, Social Butterfly Media

Manager in Business – Businesswoman of the Year — Sheridan Morris, Reef & Rainforest Research Centre

Indigenous Business Woman Of The Year — Gillian Mailman, ICT Connect Pty Ltd (Fibre Optics NQ)

Michelle Commins Legacy – Volunteer of the Year — Jana Gorski, REAP Food Rescue

2015

Business Woman of the Year — Maureen Fields, Ten Years Younger Home Care

Small Business Owner – Businesswoman of the year — Andrea Tunjic, People Strong

Sole Entrepreneur – Businesswoman of the Year — Yvette Cini, SoapHerb

Manager in Business – Businesswoman of the Year — Jackie Sequin, Bendigo Bank, Smithfield

Michelle Commins Legacy – Volunteer of the Year — Joanne Male, Save the Date Wedding Expo

2014

Business Woman of the Year — Heather Ghidella, My Style Homes

Small Business Owner – Businesswoman of the Year — Gail Rogers, Specialised Speech Services

Young Female Entrepreneur of the Year — Nicky Jurd, Precedence

Manager in Business – Businesswoman of the Year — Amanda Albon, Telstra

Michelle Commins Legacy – Volunteer of the Year — Jodie Sherman, Suicide Prevention / Cairns Corporate Challenge / Red Elephant

2013

Business Woman of the Year — Pauline Gleeson, Contours

Small Business Owner – Businesswoman of the year — Emma Miller, EMPower FX

Young Female Entrepreneur of the Year — Lyndsey Crossland, Cupcake Creations

Manager in Business – Businesswoman of the Year — Stacey Young, BDO

Michelle Commins Legacy – Volunteer of the Year — Colleen Blunt, Marlin Coast Neighbourhood Centre

2012

Business Woman of the Year — Jenny Cavallaro, Allaro Homes

Small Business Owner – Businesswoman of the year — Dianne Healy, ID Blinds

Young Female Entrepreneur of the Year — Jean Hunt, Infusion Marketing

Manager in Business – Businesswoman of the Year — Katrina Spies, QITE

Michelle Commins Legacy – Volunteer of the Year — Queensland Health

New Directions — Raya Mayo, Dial-A-Doctor

2011

Business Woman of the Year — Mary-ann McEachan, JM Switchboards

Small Business Owner – Businesswoman of the Year — Jennifer Thompson, A-List Events

Manager in Business – Businesswoman of the Year — Jane Kahler, Hinterland Aviation

Michelle Commins Legacy – Volunteer of the Year — Daryele Hester, P&F association at Our Lady Help or Christians School

2009

Business Woman of the Year — Sally Mlikota, CBC Staff Selection

Small Business Owner – Businesswoman of the Year — Roz Howland, InOrder Professional Organising

Young Female Entrepreneur — Bree James, Pak Mag

Manager in Business – Businesswoman of the Year — Kim Hayes, Turner & Townsend

Jean Skea Encouragement — Annalisa Siefkin, IpSeity Hair & Beauty

2008

Business Woman of the Year — Cally Densmore, The Hair Studio

Small Business Owner – Businesswoman of the Year — Nikki Firmin, Abacus Shop Fittings and Displays

Young Female Entrepreneur — Melisa Cook, Innisfail Courier Express

Manager in Business – Businesswoman of the Year — Maryanne Tranter, Vocational Partnerships Group

Jean Skea Encouragement — Peta Smerdon, Ronald McDonald House Charities

2007

Business Woman of the Year — Paula Malaponte, NQ Crash & 4WD Supplies

Small Business Owner – Businesswoman of the Year — Renae Kunda, Cape York Motorcycles

Young Female Entrepreneur — Danae Jones, In Touch In Business

Manager in Business – Businesswoman of the Year — Leanne Kear, Project Services

New Directors — Carol Shipway, Carol Shipway Migration Services

Jean Skea Encouragement — Natalie Critchell, Balloons etc

2006

Small Business Owner – Businesswoman of the Year — Geena Court, Court House Realty Corporate

Corporate — Sue Darby, Education Queensland

Third Age — Marilyn Marsh Booth, Individual Fitness

Next Generation — Amanda Fell, GHD Pty Ltd

Jean Skea Encouragement — Kathy Macdonald, Chocolate Sensations

2005

Business Owner — Debbie Lane, Cairns Fencing

Corporate — Bobby May, Vocational Partnership Group

Third Age — Posy Thompson, Every Bloomin Thing

Next Generation — Gina Skilbeck, 102.7 4CAFM

Jean Skea Encouragement — Simone Travers, Optus Earlville

2004

Business Owner — Christine Thurston, Northern Truck Spares

Third Age — Nerida Cooksley

Next Generation — Tara Diversi, Health Management

2003

Business Owner — Therese Plath, Ray White Central

Corporate — Bev Snell, Down Under Tours

2002

Business Owner — Judy Freeman, Tjapukai

Corporate — Lyn Griffiths, DMG Capital Radio

2001

Business Owner — Beverley Cheeseman, Beverley Jewellers of Distinction

Corporate — Deborah Maguire, State Development

Jean Skea Encouragement Award — Carole Vis

2000

Business Owner — Jenny Austin, Harley Educational Supplies

Corporate — Jodi Blanchard

1999

Business Owner — Alisia Day, McDonalds Jewellers

Corporate — Carmel Ross, Martin College

Jean Skea Encouragement Award — Gayleen Tol, Precruitment

1998

Business Owner — Linda Bargaballo

1997

Business Owner — Linda Barbagaballo, Linda Barbagallo & Associates

Corporate — Jeanette Price, Sun City Tours & Cairns Scenic Tours

1996

Business Owner — Angela Capitanio, Ray White Central

Corporate — Beata Jasinski, IT Manager, Woodhead Firth Lee

1995

Business Owner — Kath Killalea

Corporate — Leslie Johnston

1994

Business Owner — Yumi Smith

Corporate — Hilary Hahn

1993

Business Owner — Margaret Gill

Corporate — Kerrie Richmond

1992

Business Owner — Nita Simms

Corporate — Angela Toppin

1991

Business Owner — Betty Wright

Corporate — Sue Foster

1990

Business Owner — Valerie Yeulett

1989

Business Owner — Kay Bevan

1988

Business Owner — Val Lord

1987

Business Owner — Susan Finch

1986

Business Owner — Susan Collier

1985

Business Owner — Robyn Stewart

More Previous Winners