The 2025 Western NSW Business Awards finalists have been announced and there are three finalists from Western Plains towns in the running. 

Eden Coughlan, Momentum Dance Studios in Cobar has been nominated for Outstanding Young Business Leader.

Flying with Grace at Narromine will be contesting Outstanding New Business.

Swanny's Foods based at Coonamble are again among the top contenders for Excellence in Small Business.

The awards are co-ordinated by Business NSW (formerly NSW Business Chamber) and seek to showcase the best of the best across 21 categories.

Top performers from Lithgow to Broken Hill are recognised for their innovation, resilience and dedication.

Eden Coughlan - Momentum Dance Studios

Ms Coughlan said that the news of becoming a finalist at the Western NSW Business Awards was "very unexpected and exciting".

"It’s quite a diverse group, so it was really good to see the different finalists and to be alongside them."

The 29-year-old started teaching dance at the age of 14 in Cobar and opened up her first studio in 2017 in Cobar. 

Since then, she has expanded her business to Nyngan and Bourke as well where she and nine other staff members teach around 200 students ages two to 18. 

Students can learn various dance styles including, Jazz, Hip-Hop, Ballet, Circus, Acrobatics, and Contemporary. 

It is important to foster children's creativity, especially in the bush where there are few opportunities for artistic outlets, Ms Coughlan said.

"The children gain confidence and build leadership and teamwork skills."

Although the majority of Ms Coughlan's students are girls, she has a special class only for boys where they can explore their creative side in their own space. 

"Maybe they don't want to dance with the girls because it's not the cool thing to do, so we run a boy's class which gives them a bit of a safer safe," Ms Coughlan said. 

Ms Coughlan started her first dancing studio in her early twenties. Photo: supplied.

In the future, Ms Coughlan hopes to expand to other areas as long as Momentum Dance Studio has the capacity and there is a demand for dance lessons. 

"It's definitely on the cards but we only want to go as far as we can physically reach and build relationships."

Flying with Grace 

Grace Walker from Narromine is excited to see her dream of sharing her passion for flying blossom. She opened up her flying school in Narromine in October 2023 after rediscovering a her love for aviation. 

Her interest in aviation began as a teenager but she first started flying herself in 2020. 

The aircraft she teaches her students with is a Tecnam P96 Golf. 

"I found a nice market out this way because there are not many recreational flight schools." 

"I feel so at peace when I fly. It's where I was always meant to be." 

Now she teaches students from Narromine and all over the country, including Queensland, Canberra, and Sydney.

A refreshing sight Ms Walker says is the number of women who signed up for the classes. 

Around a quarter of her students are women. 

"It's great to have all the women here because usually the ratio is quite low.

"Many of the people I meet say, 'I'm so glad you're here. I've always wanted to fly but life hasn't given me the chance yet and now I have it.'"

Seeing her students achieve new milestones is a highlight every time for Ms Walker. 

"I cry nearly every time watching someone achieve something. I think it is absolutely priceless." 

The award has brought Ms Walker much joy. 

"I'm both nervous and excited. I'm really grateful for all the recognition and proud of what I've accomplished so far."

Swanny's Foods 

Hospitality businesses in Western NSW are probably already familiar with Swanny's Foods. 

The Swansborough family bought the company, formerly known as Belmac, in 1992 and has since grown it to the reliable wholesaler it is known today. 

Swanny's Foods now services Armatree, Baradine, Collie, Coonabarabran, Lightning Ridge, and Walgett.

"We're really excited," Manager Rachael Swansborough said. The company was a finalist in the 2024 awards. 

"I didn't think we would make it again considering the other businesses we were up against when we went last time." 

 Swanny's Foods has won several local business awards. Rachael Swansborough holding the most recent Coonamble Business Award.

Swanny's Foods had several big milestones last year including opening up a new shop and extending the depot with another freezer. 

The new shop front offers customers a safe location to do their shopping away from the hustle and bustle of the depot. 

Both local customers and people travelling through town stop by the store regularly to grab a treat. 

"Considering that many other candidates are from bigger places, it's exciting that Coonamble is recognised," Ms Swansborough said. 

Finalists from across the west will converge on Dubbo for the Gala Event on Friday 16 May.