Rhino Award Categories

The Dubbo Business Chamber presents the Rhino Awards each year to honour the city's most outstanding businesses.

The Rhino, which is used as the logo, reflects both the fact that Dubbo is home to the Taronga Western Plains Zoo, and symbolises the strength of our local business community. The presentation night is one of the city's most prestigious annual events, a time when the city's business community honours its most outstanding performers in a number of categories.

This year the 2024 SJ Shooter Real Estate Dubbo Business Chamber Rhino Awards presents 18+ Categories, including The Gold Rhino - awarded to Dubbo's most Outstanding Business.

In the starred (*) categories, eligible winners will receive automatic entry into the 2024 Western NSW Business Chamber Awards.


Category Sponsor

People’s Choice Award - Hospitality

Awarded to a restaurant, cafe, function centre, pub, licensed club or caterer that demonstrates excellence in hospitality.

MoneyQuest

People’s Choice Award - Dubbo’s Favourite Tradie

Awarded to Dubbo’s most popular trade-based business (i.e. electrician, plumber, builder, painter, hairdresser, beautician, chef, pastry chef, mechanic, baker etc *not limited to) as voted by the public. Male or Female.

People’s Choice Award - Service with a Smile

Awarded to Dubbo’s most popular employee, as voted by the public.

Daily Liberal

People’s Choice Award - Dubbo’s Favourite Business

Awarded to Dubbo’s most popular business, as voted by the public.

2DU/Zoo FM

Outstanding Employee

Recognises an inspirational employee who has demonstrated a passion for their role and a commitment to their workplace and community.

Outstanding Young Business Leader (35 years or under)

Recognises an inspirational business leader aged 35 or under who demonstrates outstanding entrepreneurial spirit, strategic business direction and innovative ideas.

Outstanding Business Leader (36+ yrs)

Recognises an inspirational business leader aged 36 or over who demonstrates outstanding entrepreneurial spirit, strategic business direction and innovative ideas, whilst providing leadership to the new generation.

Apprentice and Trainee of the Year

Awarded to an apprentice and trainee that has gone above and beyond the call of duty and made a valuable contribution to the success of the business they work for.

BEST

Employer of Choice

Recognises a business that has implemented strategies and initiatives to create stimulating and supportive workplace environments to maximise the full potential of their workforce.

RDA Orana

Excellence in Innovation *

Recognises a business that has made significant contributions to their industry or implemented innovative solutions for new and existing business needs through the introduction or improvement of an idea, method, technology, process or application.

* To be eligible for Western NSW Business Chamber Awards, the business needs to have been in operation for one year or more

Excellence in Sustainability | Green Rhino*

Recognises a business that has demonstrated its commitment to sustainable business practices and is working to reduce the impact of its operations on the environment.

Please note: where sustainability is your core business, you must enter this category based on sustainable initiatives and projects within your business, not related to your core offering.

* To be eligible for Western NSW Business Chamber Awards, the business needs to have been in operation for one year or more

Taronga Western Plains Zoo

Outstanding Community Organisation

Recognises an organisation that works to improve the social, cultural or environmental wellbeing of the community.

SJ Shooter Real Estate

Outstanding Start Up | Baby Rhino

Recognises a start-up business that has effectively driven growth and is able to demonstrate the potential to achieve future success.

Airlink Airlines

Excellence in Diversity and Inclusion

This Excellence in Diversity and Inclusion Award recognises businesses that address the needs of a diverse community, including seniors, people from Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) backgrounds, and people with disability. An inclusive business facilitates the needs of all its employees and customers.

Excellence in Micro Business (less than 5 employees)

Recognises a business that has effectively driven growth and is able to demonstrate the specific strategies implemented to achieve business success and/or resilience.

Dubbo City Toyota

Excellence in Small Business (5 - 20 employees) *

Recognises a business that has effectively driven growth and is able to demonstrate the specific strategies implemented to achieve business success and/or resilience.

* To be eligible for Western NSW Business Chamber Awards, the business needs to have been in operation for one year or more

Summit Cranes

Excellence in Large Business*

Recognises a business that has effectively driven growth and is able to demonstrate the specific strategies implemented to achieve business success and/or resilience.

* To be eligible for Western NSW Business Chamber Awards, the business needs to have been in operation for one year or more

Jean Emile Serisier Roll of Honour

Recognises those who demonstrate outstanding entrepreneurial spirit, strategic business direction and innovative ideas, whilst providing inspiration to a new generation of upcoming business leaders.

Dubbo Business Chamber


Key Rhino Award Dates 2024:

Wednesday 26 June, 2024 Entries & Nominations Open
Tuesday 30 July, 2024 People's Choice Nominations Close
Monday 29 July, 2024 11.59pm Entries Close
Thursday 1 August, 2024 Start of judging
Monday 26 August, 2024 End of judging
Monday 26 August, 2024 Peoples' Choice Voting closes
TBC Cocktail Party, Savannah Room, Taronga Western Plains Zoo, Dubbo - finalists announced!
Friday 25 October, 2024 Gala Evening, Convention Centre (Civic Centre) - winners announced!

Please note; some dates maybe subject to change.

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