New-look East Grampians Business Awards categories to showcase local innovation
Entries for the 2026 East Grampians Business Awards will open soon with a refreshed line-up of categories designed to better recognise the way businesses across Ararat Rural City are adapting, evolving, and creating standout experiences for customers and visitors.
Hosted by Ararat Rural City Council in partnership with local business leaders, this year’s awards will be presented at a gala event on Wednesday 28 October 2026, celebrating enterprises from Ararat and surrounding towns.
The 2026 program proposes six category awards, alongside Business of the Year, the popular People’s Choice Award sponsored by Mixx FM, and the much-loved Grampians Golden Mug, which keeps the region’s coffee excellence front of mind.
New and reimagined categories include the Future-Ready Business Award, recognising businesses of all sizes that are embracing AI, sustainability, workforce innovation, new technology, or diversification to meet emerging challenges and opportunities.
There will two Experience Creator awards – with separate awards for not-for-profit and commercial experience creators - that deliver “worth the drive” moments across retail, tourism, health and wellness, workshops, events, and interactive customer service.
The Bold Move Award will celebrate risk-takers who have expanded, rebranded, relocated, launched new products, or made major investments, while the Made Here Award will shine a light on things created, grown, designed, or produced locally, from manufacturing and food production to artisans, creative industries, and makers.
An Outstanding Customer Service Award will continue to recognise those retail, hospitality, health, professional services, and tourism businesses whose commitment to their customers is obvious from the moment people walk through the door or pick up the phone.
Ararat Rural City Council CEO, Dr Tim Harrison, said the refreshed categories had been shaped around the strengths and aspirations of the local economy. “Our local businesses are the backbone of our regional economy, and these awards give us a chance to pause, reflect, and acknowledge just how much they contribute to jobs, opportunity, and community life,” Dr Harrison said.
“We know businesses across Ararat Rural City are investing in new technology, backing bold ideas, and creating unique experiences that draw people here from right across the state, so it is important that our awards move with the times and recognise that effort.”
“The updated categories have come from listening to our business community and looking at what is happening on the ground in Ararat, Willaura, Lake Bolac, Pomonal, and our smaller townships, and I am really looking forward to seeing the stories that come through in this year’s nominations.”
Businesses from across Ararat Rural City will be invited to nominate in multiple categories, with full details, entry criteria, and key dates to be announced on Council’s website and social media channels in the coming weeks.
