Growth, entrepreneurship and resilience are all trademarks of a successful business.

Now in its 12th year, the Western NSW Business Awards recognises all these things and several local businesses have been nominated for the 2024 awards which will be presented in Bathurst on May 31st.

Vicki Seccombe, Regional Director – Western NSW, at Business NSW, said this year’s finalists showcase and highlight the incredible business talent that is based right here in Western NSW.

“I believe our business community is one of the strongest in Regional NSW and is reflected in the 32% increase in submissions this year. These awards are a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the ingenuity, strength and entrepreneurial spirit of our Western NSW business community, said Ms Seccombe.

Finalists in three categories is the Nyngan Riverside Tourist Park which sees manager, Emily Stanton nominated in the Outstanding Young business Leader section and Julie O'Brien as outstanding employee as well as the Park being a finalist in the Excellence in Small Business category.

Ms Stanton's parents bought the park in 2007 and she has been general manager for 12 years.

"We're very happy about our nomination," she said. "It's nice to be recognised as being a good business because we do put in a lot of hard work and are very passionate about what park."

Ms Stanton said they were surprised to be finalists in three categories.

"It's a family-owned business and we've had it for 15 years, we're always improving. Our location is unique as well, we're on the Bogan River, so I think that makes us stand out, especially in the central west. It’s like a little oasis."

"It takes a really good team of staff as well and, I guess, good business management."

Nyngan's Riverside Tourist Park is a nominee in three categories. IMAGE: Tripadviser

Ms Stanton is 32, and encourages others to get involved in the world of small business.

"My motto is that anything is possible," she said. "It's not always easy and it takes hard work and sacrifice and there's a lot of challenges, but if you put your mind and your heart to something then can achieve anything. Take big risks."

Julie O'Brien, nominated as an outstanding employee for the awards, said she loves her work at the Riverside Tourist Park.

"I came here from a corporate job about seven years ago," Ms O'Brien said. "I just love it here, everyone is so positive and the customers are great. The support from my employers is also fantastic. I will be heading to Bathurst for the award ceremony, it should be amazing."

Daughter/Father team Rachael and Shane Swansborough with staff member Bree Roworth were recognised at the Coonamble District Business Awards in 2023. IMAGE: Coonamble Times

Another finalist in the business awards is food service distributor, Swanny's Foods, from Coonamble. They are in the running for the Excellence in Business award.

Swanny's Foods Manager Rachael Swansborough said her family bought the business in September 1992. They initially nominated just to see purely to see what the nomination process was like.

"It was really for research purposes on my behalf to see how we could change the nomination process for the Coonamble Chamber of Commerce," she said. "Then I spoke to my brother about it and he said ‘oh, we might as well have a decent crack at it and fill out properly, which we did, but we did not expect to become finalists on the basis that it covers such a big area.

"We’re up against people from Bathurst, and Orange, Nyngan and Dubbo."

Ms Swansborough said running a business is definitely not for the faint-hearted.

“I think our biggest attribute is that we are a family-owned business and that we do go above and beyond with our customer service, We like to think that we’re good at that,” she said.

The Kennard family are taking their quality products to the world from their home base in Condobolin.

MASPRO Engineering at Condobolin are finalists in the Employer of Choice Category.

Established in Condobolin in 2006, MASPRO Engineering is a family-owned and operated mining technology business with a history spanning three generations. The company works to optimise mining equipment to improve safety and reliability in harsh mining conditions.

Winners of the 2024 Western NSW Business Awards, will then represent the region at the State Business Awards to be held in Sydney in October.

“Last year, two Western NSW businesses, Topsoil Organics from Forbes and Black Gold Motel from Wallerawang won at the State Business Awards, and based on the calibre of this year’s finalists, I expect that our regional winners will again do very well,” Ms Seccombe said.