Emily Stanton is a 32-year-old entrepreneur, as well as a wife and a mother to three busy little boys.

Born and bred in the Nyngan district, Emily is so proud of her community that she has invested her heart into it, and it shows.

The Western NSW Business Awards took place in Bathurst on Friday 31 May and Nyngan Small Business owner Emily Stanton was awarded Outstanding Young Business Leader for 2024 amongst a field of inspiring young business-people.

“I was really surprised to win as it was such tough competition,” said Emily. “I feel so honoured, but also I was very shocked at first.”

“It feels really nice to be recognised as I do put my heart and soul into being a business leader,” Emily added.

Emily, who manages the Nyngan Riverside Tourist Park, also runs a Building business with Husband James, and both (along with a team of tradies) are currently renovating the iconic pub “The Nyngan”, after many years of it being empty.

“My husband and I own and run several businesses in Nyngan ranging from commercial shops to an Airbnb, a car wash and laundromat, Stanton Building, Nyngan Riverside Tourist Park and our latest project – The Nyngan Hotel. You could say I am a very busy woman,” laughs Emily, “But I very passionate about the businesses we run,” she said.

Emily who found her business passion running the Nyngan Riverside Tourist Park, has taken to business like a duck to water.

Emily makes her acceptance speech at the Western NSW Business Awards at Mount Panorama on Friday night. IMAGE: Business NSW - Western NSW

With her organisational skills and super-efficient manner, Emily has shown she can wear many hats.

“Nyngan Riverside is a family run business. My parents own the park and I have been managing it for the past 12 years. It is like an oasis in the outback, we are located on 15 acres beside the Bogan River, and it really is a beautiful spot.”

“We recently received a TripAdvisors award, which made us so happy as we must be doing something right, and we work really hard to make sure all of our visitors get the very best of travel experiences.”

“We are also currently at the final stages of our project The Nyngan Hotel which is due to open on 1 July. We have been renovating the hotel for the past 15 months."

Even though life is flat out for Emily, husband James and her family. They wouldn’t have it any other way.

“It has been a very busy year but we love it,” said Emily. “Although I hope soon to try to find a better life work balance,” said Emily with a smile.

“The Nyngan Hotel has been such a huge task, along with everything else I run so the goal for next year is to find a balance! If that is at all possible.”

“The Western NSW Business Awards are all about celebrating and showcasing the diverse array of talent in Western NSW’s business community and this year’s winners should feel incredibly proud to be named as the region’s leading businesses and leaders for 2024," said Vicki Seccombe, Regional Director – Western NSW, Business NSW.

“Last year, we saw Orange and the Central West region dominate the awards, but this year, we are celebrating winners from all across Western NSW including Nyngan, Lithgow, Orange, Bathurst, Mudgee and Dubbo.

“We continue to see tough trading conditions for many businesses over the past few years, so these awards are a wonderful opportunity to shine a spotlight on our amazing group of finalists from right across the region."

The Award for Emily has been the icing on the cake, for a great year so far for her and her team, but she says without her husband and staff to back her she would not be able to achieve as much as she has.

“I would really like to thank my husband James,” said Emily. “It is no easy task being married to a woman who has big ideas and a drive to keep pushing the limits in business.”

“I would also like to thank all the staff that work across all of our businesses, we have a great team of staff and without them we couldn’t do what we do,” she added.

It will definitely be a watch this space for the young Nyngan business leader as she moves forward into the future.