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A host of businesses and employees were recognised at the 2025 Great Southern Business Awards in front of a packed crowd at Retravision Stadium on Saturday night. Run by the Albany Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the 29th edition of the awards recognised and rewarded the commitment to excellence of our local Great Southern businesses and businesspeople. There were a record number of entries this year, who were then cut down to 44 finalists, 26 in business categories and 18 individual awards. The major gong, the Great Southern business of the year, went to Quality Apartments Banksia Albany and capped a strong night for the local hotel with Kristeen Ko also picking up business person of the year. Quality Apartments Banksia Albany also won the excellence in hospitality award. In the other major awards, Sarah Josh was named young business person of the year and Pamela Watts was employee of the year. Albany Chamber chief executive Tracey Bridges said it was another wonderful edition of the awards. “The Great Southern is a great place to be if you’re looking for business opportunity, and that is evident through the diversity of this year’s applicants, finalists and winners,” she said. “The Great Southern business ecosystem is growing and it’s fantastic to see the viability, strength and success of businesses in our region now that there is space and opportunity for them. “Congratulations to the winners and finalists, we’re really proud of our region and the operators within it.” 2025 Great Southern Business Awards Business with up to 10 employees: Albany Skips and Waste Services Business with over 10 employees: Skylar Early Learning Business person of the year: Kristeen Ko Employee of the year: Pamela Watts Future focused award: Ganzer Electrical Excellence in hospitality award: Quality Apartments Banksia Albany Indigenous organisation of the year: Great Southern Smash Repairs Innovation in business: Holistic Legal and Professional Associates Love local award: Albany’s Historic Whaling Station New business award: Kirby’s Atelier de Cuisine Sole trader award: Rainbow Coast Socials Excellence in tourism: Great Southern Holiday Properties Trainee or apprentice of the year: Tyler Wallrodt Young business person of the year: Sarah Josh Great Southern business of the year: Quality Apartments Banksia Albany
