Excellence in the North-East was on show at the inaugural Dorset People and Business Awards on March 27, with a crowd of 120 people filling the Scottsdale Mechanics Hall.
The community was called on to nominate their colleagues, friends, family and favourite businesses, and they understood the brief, delivering some 300 heartfelt nominations. From this, 75 finalists were selected across 19 categories. Some categories were referred to external judges, while the others were decided by People’s Choice voting, which in one week received a total of 10,309 votes. Congratulations to all of the finalists and winners of the 2026 Dorset People and Business Awards – we are very proud to have you in our community!
Winners of the inaugural Dorset People and Business Awards
INDIVIDUAL AWARDS:
Apprentice of the Year – Sponsored by TasTAFE – Mitchell Doohan
Outstanding Customer Service Award – Sponsored by North East Tasmania Chamber of Commerce – Borys Szydlowski (Bridport Pharmacy)
Young Professional of the Year – Will Hadley
Outstanding Employee Award – Jane Kilburn (Dorset Council)
Project Y Excellence Award – Ava Beeson
Support/Disability Worker of the Year – Karen Whelan (Dorset Community Care)
Aged Care Worker of the Year – Phoebe Singline (Celebrate Aminya)
Tradesperson of the Year – William Brown (DB Electrical Tasmania)
Educator of the Year – Andrew ‘Butch’ Krushka (Scottsdale High School)
Local Tourism Leader Award – Sponsored by Bridestowe Lavender Estate – Natalie Wise
Agriculture Champion – Kylie Rattray (Scottsdale High School)
INDUSTRY AWARDS:
Excellence in Hairdressing, Beauty & Wellbeing – Teazed
Excellence in Hospitality – The House Paddock
Excellence in Early Learning and Child Care – Explore Learning Educational Care
Excellence in Retail – Scottsdale Shoe Shop
Excellence in Tourism – Barnbougle Dunes
Exceptional Workplace – Celebrate Aminya Celebrate Health Care
Most Innovative Business – Sponsored by Woolnorth Renewables – NB Media
Longstanding Business Award sponsored by North East Tasmania Chamber of Commerce – Stronach Industries Group.
This initiative is proudly presented by Dorset Employment Connect, with principal partner North East Tasmania Chamber of Commerce, major sponsors Bridestowe Lavender Estate and Woolnorth Renewables, and other generous community sponsors.
If you are interested in sponsoring the 2027 Dorset People and Business Awards, please contact admin@dorsetec.org.au.
