Regional Heroes 2025

Thriving far from the city lights?

Business Builders, in partnership with Vodafone Business, is celebrating the small businesses making a big impact in regional Australia. Could you be our next Regional Hero?

Celebrate the legends powering the bush, the coast and everywhere in between.

VOTING NOW OPEN

Voting closes: 11:59PM Monday 21 July
2025 Regional Hero winner announced: Tuesday 22 July

Meet the finalists - and vote now!

Voting is simple. Just click on your favourite Regional Hero finalist and hit the SUBMIT button at the bottom of the page. It's that easy.

[Title] Signature Talk [Bio] I’m a speaking coach and Signature Talk specialist for visionary, brave-thinking women who want to be seen as the go-to expert of their industry through showcasing their uniqueness in a thought-provoking message delivered from the stage.
[Title] The Local Taproom [Bio] The Local Taproom is the ambition of Carly and Chris Lambert. Their dream of opening an authentic craft beer taproom in Bacchus Marsh is dedicated to their family and the community they now call home.
[Title] Boas Language Academy [Bio] Boas Language Academy aims to bridge language barriers and equip learners with lifelong skills to thrive. We work with migrants and refugees to become native speaker teachers with the cultural context to empower our learners
[Title] Ace Sunglasses [Bio] Known as “Mr. Sunglasses,” Frank Milletic began his career in 1984 and has spent decades with top global brands. In 2018, he launched ACE to build the ultimate sunglasses – no shortcuts, no compromises. Ace fuses performance with style – ultra-lightweight, durable, and engineered for real-world use.
[Title] WorkLife [Bio] Deciding there had to be a better way to balance work and life outside the city, Kate Dezarnaulds founded WorkLife —launching the South Coast’s first coworking space in Berry in 2017. With a background in arts, events, and advocacy (and the help of her builder husband), Kate envisioned spaces that would spark creativity, build community, and support the shifting rhythms of regional life.
[Title] Oz Tukka [Bio] Oz Tukka helps people to experience the flavours and foods that our First Nations people have been enjoying for thousands of years. We specialise in authentic Australian flavours, also known as bush food, bush tucker (tukka) or Australian native spices.
[Title] Bridge Builders [Bio] Bridge Builders Inc. is dedicated to serving the community of Peel and Mandurah by providing essential food relief and support to those in need. Our mission is to address food insecurity and create sustainable solutions for a healthier, more nourished community.
[Title] Junee Hotel [Bio] Established in 1878, the Junee Hotel stands as the oldest commercial building in Junee, New South Wales. Originally known as the Railway Hotel, the building recently underwent a massive renovations to return it to its former glory. Throughout its history, the Junee Hotel has been a central hub for the community.
[Title] Tasmania Vaccine Solutions [Bio] At Tasmania Vaccine Solutions, we are committed to improving health outcomes for Tasmanian workplaces through accessible and professional on-site vaccination services. Our goal is to support businesses in protecting their teams against the flu and maintaining a productive, healthy workplace.
[Title] Red Hill Creative [Bio] Red Hill Creative is where you will find acrylic and bamboo accessories, gifts and personalised items that are bursting with personality! Based in Chinchilla on the Western Downs in Queensland, Terri creates what she herself would love to wear or have in her home, and her colourful and fun designs are most often inspired by the rural Australian lifestyle.
[Title] Cape York Motorcycle Adventures [Bio] Cape York Motorcycle Adventures is the longest-running motorcycle tour company, operating dirt bike adventures in Cape York since 1990. As the world’s first eco-certified motorcycle tour company (since 2006), we lead the way in responsible, exhilarating adventure travel: so all you have to do is show up and ride!
[Title] Laundry Lady [Bio] Founded in 2012 and headquartered on the Sunshine Coast, the Laundry Lady understands the last thing you want to spend your nights and weekends doing is ironing and washing clothes We’re now an Australian wide mobile laundry service offering washing and ironing, pickup and delivery.
[Title] Away From The Keyboard [Bio] Our mission is to relieve distress and suffering caused by online exploitation, digital dependency, and social isolation by delivering trauma-informed education, direct support, and community connection programs — especially for children, youth, and families in vulnerable situations.
[Title] Anytime Counselling [Bio] Anytime Counselling is the world's first mental health service fully manned by qualified counsellors without geographic restriction. Our service eliminates barriers preventing rural people seeking help: unacceptably long wait times, limited local options, and privacy concerns in close-knit communities.
[Title] Hunter Valley Goat Hire [Bio] Hunter Valley Goat Hire is an established vegetation and terrain management business created by three innovative women from Mount Vincent, NSW. The company was born from a desire to promote ethically and environmentally sustainable solutions to vegetation management problems for property owners in the Lower Hunter Valley, with a strong focus on animal welfare and reverse carbon burdening.
[Title] Gilberton Outback Retreat [Bio] Gilberton Outback Retreat is a small family run business, welcoming guests to experience the outback way of life on an 88,000 acre 7th generation family working cattle station. Rob and Lyn French are the current landholders and your hosts. We take the approach that you will ‘come as a guest and leave as a friend’
[Title] Killara Distillery [Bio] After over 150 years since the last distillery in Hobart closed its doors and shut off its stills, Killara is a continuation of Tasmania’s legacy of exceptional handcrafted creations. Founded by Kristy Lark Booth, a second-generation Australian distiller, Killara is a boutique distillery producing premium quality, handcrafted single malt whisky and other premium spirits.
[Title] Talking Stones [Bio] We create Australia's most loved range of memorial plaques for people and pets. We also offer a range of beautiful engraved house name plaques. Our products will be cherished by you and last a lifetime Lovingly hand engraved using only the highest grade materials and quality of workmanship.
[Title] Federation Artisan Chocolate [Bio] For over 30 years, Federation Artisan Chocolate has been a Tasmanian mainstay, tantalising taste buds with delectable treats. In 2014, Maurice and Helen Curtis took the helm, igniting a passionate mission. They transformed a small confectionary company into a champion of ethical and high-quality chocolate, using meticulously sourced cacao beans and the mastery of the bean-to-bar process
[Title] The Wondering Mind [Bio] The Wondering Mind began, like all good ideas, with imagination and passion in 2019. Our aim is simple. To bring together unique books, gifts and art in a space celebrating the indulgent delight that is browsing and discovering.

What's in it for the winner?

One standout business will take out the Regional Hero 2025 title and score an epic prize package worth $50,000, including:

A feature segment on our national TV show on the Seven Network
A social media boost across Business Builders’ channels
A hero article on our website (shared in our newsletter, too)
A professional social video to use however you like

Whether you’re nominating your own biz or shouting out a local legend who deserves a nod, it’s quick and easy to enter. And hey, what small business couldn’t use a little love and a lot of exposure?

*T&Cs apply – but you knew that already.

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Thriving far from the city lights?

Celebrate the legends powering the bush, the coast and everywhere in between.

Meet the finalists - and vote now!

What's in it for the winner?

Big ideas for small business — straight to your inbox