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!  

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.

INDIVIDUAL AWARDS

Apprentice of the Year* 

  • Thomas Wesley (Keen)  
  • Mitchell Doohan (J&J Mechanical Tas) 
  • Angus Probert (DB Electrical)  
  • Alex Terry (Scottsdale Suzuki) 

Outstanding Customer Service~ 

  • Borys Szydiowski (Bridport Pharmacy) 
  • Chantelle Harper (House Paddock) 
  • Zoe Lewis (Little Rivers) 
  • Sereya Millwood-Mackenzie (Bridport Bay Inn) 
  • Michelle Davis (Bridport IGA) 
  • Tayla Hughes (Galloways) 

Young Professional of the Year

  • Jordan Harper (Scottsdale Primary School) 
  • Ella Stingel (Scottsdale High School) 
  • Will Hadley (Award-winning cattle handler) 

Outstanding Employee*

  • Dr Fearon Kelly (Ochre)  
  • Skye Butler (Bridport Cafe)  
  • Josh Whelan (Little Rivers)  
  • Jane Kilburn (Dorset Council) 
  • Mark Hayes (Dorset Community House)  
  • Joel Dean (Eastside Motors) 

INDIVIDUAL INDUSTRY AWARDS

Support/Disability Worker of the Year

  • Karen Whelan (Dorset Community Care)  
  • Stuart Burr (Skillset Connection)  
  • Melissa Burr (Skillset Connection)  
  • Danish Siddiqui (Pathfinder Care) 

Aged Care Worker of the Year

  • Phoebe Singline (May Shaw)  
  • Belinda Blackberry (May Shaw)  
  • Jennifer Reid (May Shaw)  
  • Liz Chatwin (Dorset Community Care)  
  • Shelley Mountney (Dorset Community Care)  

Tradesperson of the Year

  • Josh Timperon (CPT)  
  • Joel Champ (Powered Up Electrical)  
  • Mat Irwin (Irwinized Fabrications)  
  • William Brown (DB Electrical Tasmania)  
  • Brett Williams (BW & JG Williams Builder)  

Educator of the Year

  • Holly Brooker (Explore Learning)  
  • Brittany Walker (Scottsdale High School)  
  • Melanie Lette (Scottsdale Primary School)  
  • Erika Wilson  (Bridport Primary School)
  • Andrew ‘Butch’ Krushka  (Scottsdale High School)
  • Ella Stewart  (Bridport Primary School)

Local Tourism Leader*

  • Natalie Wise  
  • Taylor Clyne-Smith  

Agriculture Champion

  • Kylie Rattray  (Scottsdale High School agricultural program coordinator)
  • Jeffrey Rice  (Farm manager, Dublin, Waterhouse)

INDUSTRY AWARDS

Excellence in Hairdressing, Beauty and Wellbeing 

  • Teazed  
  • Looking Great Beauty  
  • Dorset Flex  
  • Sherriff Health and Fitness (Kylie Moore – swimming instructor)  
  • Studio 56

Excellence in Hospitality

  • Bridport Bay Inn 
  • The House Paddock
  • Cottage Bakery  
  • Bridport Cafe  

Excellence in Childcare

  • Thrive Group Scottsdale ELS 
  • Explore Learning  

Excellence in Retail

  • Bridport Pharmacy  
  • Scottsdale Shoe Shop  
  • Galloways Pharmacy  

Excellence in Tourism

  • Dirt Trax  
  • The Loft  
  • Bridestowe Lavender Estate
  • Barnbougle 
  • Blue Derby  

OVERALL AWARDS

Exceptional Workplace *

  • Pathfinder Care  
  • May Shaw 
  • Bridport Pharmacy  

Most Innovative Business

  • NB Media  
  • Nomad Cycles  
  • Stronach Industries  

Longstanding Business ~

  • Cottage Bakery 
  • Triple H 
  • Suncoast Woodheaters 
  • Stronach Industries 

* Judged by an external panel.
~ Winner decided by the North East Tasmania Chamber of Commerce.

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.