A BAKERY donating thousands of loaves to school families, a manufacturer growing from market stalls to million-dollar sales, and a care organisation built from its founder’s lived experience were among the finalists at Saturday night’s Ipswich Region Business Excellence Awards gala event.
The Ipswich Chamber of Commerce named finalists across 15 categories, recognising businesses and individuals working in everything from construction and healthcare to hospitality, education and technology.
The field brought together some of the city’s longest-established institutions and newer ventures already making their mark, with growth, customer service and community involvement featuring prominently in the Chamber’s finalist profiles.
Brothers Leagues Club Ipswich, Club Services Ipswich and MIACOR IT contested Business of the Year, pitting two longstanding community clubs alongside an Ipswich-founded technology company supporting organisations across Australia.
Brothers has more than 50 years of history and a membership exceeding 40,000, while Club Services Ipswich has served the region since 1979 and employs more than 57 staff. Both clubs’ profiles highlight their support for local organisations through sponsorships, donations and community partnerships.
Founded in 2020, MIACOR IT has grown into a team of approximately 23 staff across Queensland, New South Wales and Western Australia, delivering managed IT, cybersecurity, consulting and project services.
Among the smaller operators chasing recognition, West Ipswich manufacturer 21Captains earned finalist places in both Retail Business and Sustainability.
The family-owned business began selling at local markets in 2020 and now supplies its Australian-made Air Refiner moisture and odour management product nationally. The business recorded more than $1 million in net sales in 2025-26, representing growth of 82.5 per cent, and employs seven local staff.
Bakers Delight Ipswich was also in the retail category running, with its contribution extending well beyond the bread counter. The bakery donated more than 8000 loaves to families across four local schools in 2025 and has provided employment opportunities to more than 200 local residents over its history.
Its leader, Alison Van der Merwe, was also named a finalist for Business Person of the Year alongside Candid Property founder Jason Neumann and F.A.S.T. Training Australia founder Sarah Shaw.
Shaw’s business has grown from a sole operation in 2015 to 15 professionals training more than 55,000 students across first aid, CPR, mental health and workplace wellbeing programs. F.A.S.T. was also a Professional Services finalist.
The Young Business Person of the Year category featured NGU Real Estate Lifestyle’s Amie Tarrant, Sammut Bulow partner Andrew Manners and DCC Group founder Deejay Egan.
Community involvement had its own spotlight, with Booval Fair Shopping Centre, Pretty Little Supports and She’s My Broker competing.
Founded in 2023, Pretty Little Supports’ self-funded free advocacy service has assisted 115 families, while Booval Fair’s partnerships and events build on its place in the city since 1969. Brookwater-based She’s My Broker supports causes ranging from breast cancer fundraising to animal welfare and Christmas giving.
The Tourism & Hospitality finalists offer three distinctly local experiences: Ipswich Musical Theatre Company, Stony Creek Brewing and The Llama Farm.
The trophies recognised individual achievements, but the finalist list also showcased how much of Ipswich’s business success is being built close to home.
