2025 marks the 27th year that Precedent Productions will honour the outstanding achievements and contributions of the Australian small business community.

With over 100 categories, this year’s awards will crown the nation’s Small Business Champions, with winners announced at two glittering red-carpet gala events at The Star Sydney on 28 and 29 March 2025.

The program is open to all industries and free to enter, with applications closing on 10 February 2025.

“Small businesses play a critical role in creating jobs and driving economic growth across a wide range of industries, often earning the title of the backbone of the national economy,” said Steve Loe, Founder and Managing Director of Precedent Productions. “The Australian Small Business Champion Awards provide an invaluable opportunity for operators to have their work evaluated by an expert panel, gain industry recognition, and benchmark themselves against the best in their field,” Mr. Loe added.

Among the program’s previous winners is Justin Vetsavong, CEO of Canberra-based Leaky Roof, who took home the 2024 Small Business Champion Entrepreneur Award. “This honour not only recognises my personal achievements but also shines a light on the incredible team behind me,” Justin shared, highlighting the transformative impact of the awards on his business.

Businesses from every corner of the nation – from regional hubs to capital cities – are encouraged to enter.

The Awards are proudly presented in partnership with NOVA Employment, Castaway Forecasting, BOA, VJB Group, Xcllusive Business Sales, and Big Clean.

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With a generous $60,000 prize pool, these Awards recognise the exceptional work being done in a range of settings across these four sectors that is positively impacting communities nationwide.

HESTA CEO Debby Blakey said HESTA was honoured to be able to help highlight outstanding achievements across these four critical sectors.

“The HESTA Excellence Awards are a wonderful opportunity to showcase excellence within the aged care, allied health, community services, and disability services sectors. Many of our members work in these sectors, and we are continually inspired by the dedication and innovation professionals demonstrate in these fields,” Ms Blakey said.

“We are incredibly grateful for the commitment these professionals bring to our community each day. I encourage people from around the country to make a nomination and help us celebrate and recognise the remarkable contribution these individuals have made.”

The HESTA Excellence Awards recognise individual excellence and highlight the collaborative team efforts that drive progress and innovation within these sectors.

Until midnight (AEST) Tuesday, April 8, employers, colleagues, and individuals from the aged care, allied health, community services and disability services sectors can nominate or be nominated for the Individual Leadership or Team Excellence categories.

Each category will have four winners, recognising excellence in each of the four health and community services sectors.

The eight winners will each receive $7500 – donated by longstanding Awards sponsor ME (a subsidiary of Bank of Queensland – BOQ). Prize money can go towards personal or professional development or the further development of processes or services in the workplace.

BOQ Group Executive of Retail Banking, Greg Boyle, commended the professionals in each sector for their dedication and hard work.

“These awards honour the tenacity and dedication of the frequently overlooked champions in our healthcare sector. Since 2007, ME has been awarding community grants to the victors of the HESTA Awards, and we take immense pride in observing their escalating importance year after year,” Mr Boyle said.

Finalists will be announced on Tuesday, July 8, 2025, ahead of the highly anticipated awards ceremony in Melbourne on Thursday, August 7, 2025.

For more information on how to nominate and details about the awards, visit https://www.hesta.com.au/awards/excellence-awards

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The conference will begin with a keynote address by Anthony Tassone, President of the Pharmacy Guild of Australia-Victoria. With his finger on the pulse of the industry, Tassone will delve into the current and future state of the sector, shedding light on the implications of the 8th Community Pharmacy Agreement (8CPA). His insights are expected to set a compelling tone for what lies ahead.

Over 170 Attendees will be privileged to hear from an impressive lineup of speakers, each bringing their unique expertise and perspectives.

Rhianna Davis, General Manager of Direct Chemist Outlet, describes the event: “The 2024 DCO Partners Conference is a unique opportunity for our community to come together, share knowledge, and explore new strategies for growth and innovation. We look forward to welcoming our distinguished speakers and attendees to what promises to be a highly impactful event.”

One of the conference highlights will undoubtedly be the DCO Golden Awards, which celebrate excellence across the organisation. Categories such as Excellence in Operations, Excellence in Buying, Excellence in Marketing, Pharmacist of the Year, Intern of the Year, and Best Emerging Pharmacy Owner will recognise outstanding contributions within the DCO community. Additionally, supplier awards for Outstanding Value, Support, Innovation, and the coveted Supplier of the Year Award. DCO will honour the exceptional partners who have played a pivotal role in its success.

The conference will include collaborative sessions to foster collaboration and drive innovation. These sessions will focus on improving current operations, refining marketing strategies, enhancing system efficiencies, and identifying new productivity opportunities. aiming to shape the industry’s future, ensuring that DCO remains at the forefront of pharmacy excellence.

As the pharmacy sector continues to evolve, the 2024 DCO Partners Conference stands as a testament to the power of collaboration, innovation, and excellence.

About Direct Chemist Outlet
Direct Chemist Outlet (DCO) is a leading pharmacy group committed to providing affordable healthcare solutions and exceptional service. With a focus on community engagement and professional excellence, DCO continues to expand its network and enhance its offerings to meet the evolving needs of Australians.

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This year’s PSA Excellence Awards were awarded to:

• Elise Apolloni MPS – SPA Symbion Pharmacist of the Year.
• Dee-Anne Hull MPS – PSA Symbion Early Career Pharmacist of the Year.
• Warwick Plunkett FPS – PSA Symbion Lifetime Achievement Award.

PSA National President Dr Fei Sim FPS congratulated the recipients on their awards.

“The PSA Excellence Awards acknowledge the pharmacists who go above and beyond, those who are involved in innovative practice, those who are striving to raise practice standards, and those who, through their professionalism, provide a model of practice which others strive to emulate.

“We are proud to recognise outstanding contributions not only to pharmacy but also to the pharmacists who go the extra mile to support their patients.

“PSA is proud to name Elise as Pharmacist of the Year, recognising years of passion, dedication, and leadership in pharmacy practice. Elise lives and breathes pharmacy, and she is constantly developing her practice to deliver the care and services that her community need,” Dr Sim said.

“I am proud to award the 2023 Early Career Pharmacist of the Year to Dee-Anne Hull, who has taken the opportunity to carve a career path of her own in pharmacy, and we congratulate Dee-Anne on her commitment to delivering quality and impactful aged care.

“Warwick Plunkett has given more than his lifetime to pharmacy, dedicating his career to strengthening our profession through education and programs like the Return of Unwanted Medicines project.

“As PSA National President in 1996, Warwick introduced these Excellence Awards for the first time, making it even more special for us to present him with this Lifetime Achievement Award today.

“On behalf of PSA and the pharmacy profession, congratulations to Elise, Dee-Anne, and Warwick on your achievement,” Dr Sim said.

Symbion CEO Brett Barons also congratulated the award winners. “Symbion is extremely proud to have enjoyed a 19-year association as a sponsor of the PSA Excellence Awards,” he said.

“As the pre-eminent individual awards in our industry, the PSA Excellence Awards duly acknowledge the great contribution of this year’s winners to our communities and our industry as a whole.

“A well-deserved congratulations to Dee-Anne Hull PSA Symbion Early Career Pharmacist of the Year, Elise Apolloni PSA Symbion Pharmacist of the Year and Warwick Plunkett on the great honour of being this year’s PSA Symbion Lifetime Achievement Award winner. Well done to all!”

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