2026 Rhino Business Award Categories
The Dubbo Business Chamber presents the Rhino Awards each year to honour the city's most outstanding businesses.
Now in its 29th year, the Dubbo Business Chamber’s Rhino Business Awards recognise and celebrate business excellence across our region. These awards provide a platform for local businesses to showcase their achievements, inspire future leaders, and set a benchmark for best practice. The annual gala night is one of the city's most prestigious annual events, a time when the city's business community honours its most outstanding performers. This year, the 2026 Dubbo Real Estate 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 2026 Western NSW Business Chamber Awards.
| Category | Sponsor |
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Jean Emile Serisier Roll of HonourRecognises those who demonstrate outstanding entrepreneurial spirit, strategic business direction and innovative ideas, whilst providing inspiration to a new generation of upcoming business leaders. |
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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. |
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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 |
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Excellence in Large Business (21+ 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 |
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Outstanding Community OrganisationRecognises an organisation that works to improve the social, cultural or environmental wellbeing of the community. |
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Outstanding New Business | Baby RhinoRecognises a start-up business that has effectively driven growth and is able to demonstrate the potential to achieve future success. |
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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 |
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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 |
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Outstanding Employer of ChoiceRecognises a business that has implemented strategies and initiatives to create stimulating and supportive workplace environments to maximise the full potential of their workforce. |
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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. |
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Outstanding Visitor Experience *Recognises a business that understands the importance of visitor engagement for a region’s economy* and reputation. The business needs to articulate how they promote the region as well as offering an exceptional visitor experience. * To be eligible for Western NSW Business Chamber Awards, the business needs to have been in operation for one year or more |
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Excellence in AgribusinessThe Excellence in Agribusiness award recognises a business that operates within or services the agribusiness sector and demonstrates outstanding performance, innovation, and contribution to the industry. |
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Outstanding Employee *Recognises an inspirational employee who has demonstrated a passion for their role and a commitment to their workplace and community. |
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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. |
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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. |
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Apprentice and Trainee of the YearAwarded 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. |
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People’s Choice Award - Dubbo’s Favourite BusinessAwarded to Dubbo’s most popular business, as voted by the public. |
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People’s Choice Award - Dubbo’s Favourite TradieAwarded to Dubbo’s most popular trade-based business (i.e., electrician, plumber, builder, painter) as voted by the public. |
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People’s Choice Award - Service with a SmileAwarded to Dubbo’s most popular employee, as voted by the public. |
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