Storytelling, that moved us

Last night the Toowoomba Chamber of Commerce was proud to deliver the region’s most prestigious business event of the year once again – the Focus HR Business Excellence Awards 2023.

Focus HR Business Excellence Awards 2023

We celebrated with nominees, applicants, finalists, and winners in 14 different categories, including the Employer of Choice, Sole Trader of the Year, Micro Business of the Year, Focus HR Business of the Year, and a new Toowoomba Chamber Hall of Fame Inductee.
The awards were all about using storytelling as the medium to celebrate the efforts and achievements of our diverse and dedicated business community, and recognise their contribution, not only to the economic vitality of our region but to creating a strong, healthy, innovative, vibrant and nation leading business community that is the Toowoomba Region.


The annual Business Excellence Awards is a valued tradition, acknowledging the incredible and diverse businesses that call our region home, and celebrating the innovators, leaders, and achievers.
Toowoomba Chamber President Kate Venables, said, “In its 35th year, the Business
Excellence Awards has long been an annual highlight in Toowoomba.
”This year like no other, the competition has been tough, leaving some very hard decisions for our judges.

Focus HR Business Excellence Awards 2023.


“The main goal of this rich tradition is to put a spotlight on and share the stories of our amazing local business community – their optimism, innovation, dreams, and successes.
“The Focus HR Business Excellence Awards 2023 has again provided our businesses an incomparable opportunity to elevate their brands, build and focus on their reputation of quality inside and outside of our industries, and most importantly to ‘Tell Their Stories”.


“Ultimately, the Awards are designed to return real value to local businesses in their quest for excellence and growth.
“Last night, we celebrated our achievements, promoted best business practice, and
recognised the contribution each one of you [our members and event participants] has added to the fabric of our city, and the land of opportunity.

“Congratulations to all nominees, applicants, and finalists.


“This celebration would not have been possible without the commitment and unrelenting support of our partners, judges and business community who make these awards possible”, expressed Kate.


Focus HR Founding Director, Naomi Wilson said “I’ve always been inspired by the stories of fellow business owners.
“Hearing about challenges overcome, goals reached, and failures learned from is one of the things I feel most fortunate to experience as a trusted consultant in the Toowoomba business community.
“The awards provide an amazing opportunity for businesses to tell their stories proudly and for others to be motivated, energised, and inspired by seeing what can be achieved.
“I commend all the businesses who applied and especially congratulate the finalists and winners.
“Applying for award requires a willingness to be vulnerable, to share your unique story, and to invite scrutiny in your pursuit of improvement and demonstrates initiative and determination.


“We are proud to have been the careful custodian of the Business Excellence Awards again in 2023.
“As we hand the Naming Rights Partner baton to a new sponsor in 2024, we will always be grateful for the opportunity given to us by the Toowoomba Chamber to be part of something so impactful in the Toowoomba business community”, Naomi said.

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