NCCI Business Excellence Awards 2026
On 5 September 2026, the Newman Chamber of Commerce and Industry (NCCI) hosted the Business Excellence Awards. This year theme Rare Minerals: Hidden Treasures of the Pilbara, brought together the local businesses, individuals and organisations that make Newman and the East Pilbara what it is.
The Business Excellence Awards exist to recognise the businesses and people who show up, year after year, to build something in one of the most demanding operating environments in the country. Running a business in the Pilbara means navigating distance, workforce shortages, extreme conditions and a cost of doing business that most of the country never has to think about. Every business recognised this year has done that, and done it with the kind of resilience that doesn't always make headlines but is the backbone of our region's economy.
NCCI congratulates all of this year's winners!
- Leading with Innovation: Shift Diesel & Earth
- Excellence for Purpose: Newman Community Centre
- Excellence in Tourism & Hospitality: CAS Nullagine
- Best Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Business: Shift Diesel & Earth
- Best Sole Trader: Cakes 'n' Crumbs by Shanyah
- Best Start-up Business: Grease Monkey Baking Co
- Best Micro Business: Laver Street Collective
- Best Business (6–10 employees): T & E Mechanical Solutions
- Best Business (11–20 employees): Pilbara Panel & Paint
- Best Business (21+ employees): East Pilbara Maintenance
- Customer Service Person of the Year: Shanyah Cordina
- Employee of the Year: Aimee Broughall
- Outstanding Leadership Award: Hayley Gamble
- Apprentice/Trainee of the Year: Donny Davis
- Business of the Year: Cakes 'n' Crumbs by Shanyah
- People's Choice – Individual Excellence: Catherine Waqalevu (Oasis)
- People's Choice – Best Business (1-6 employees): Cakes 'n' Crumbs by Shanyah
- People's Choice – Best Business (6+ employees): Newman Daycare Centre
Thank You
An event like this doesn't happen without a significant amount of support, and NCCI wants to acknowledge everyone who made the 2026 Business Excellence Awards possible.
To our sponsors and Partners: Thank you for backing an event that celebrates the businesses driving our local economy.
To our members, your trust and ongoing support of the Chamber is what allows events like this to happen.
To our suppliers, whose goods filled this year's gift bags, purchased directly from local and regional businesses as a way of putting support back into our own business community: Newman Hotel, The Lodge, Muzz Buzz, Newman Community Centre, Laver Street Collective, Outback Beef, Grease Monkey Baking Co, Maarda, Iron Wick, Martumili Artists, and Ulti-Parts, thank you!
To our vendors on the day; Cakes'n'Crumbs by Shanyah, Pumpie Event, Darren Field Photography and Live Music, DJ Richmore, Serene Bedlam Photography, Three Threads, Laver Street Collective, The Place, Videography by Robert Hegan, Shire of East Pilbara, The Newman Recreation Centre, The Newman Community Centre, The Queens of Community, Newman Nail Spa, The Fine Art in aesthetics.
Thank you for bringing this event to life and giving our guests a chance to see, taste and experience what you all do!
To the committees and all the volunteers who worked behind the scenes, thank you for the months of planning that went into this night.
