2026 Business Awards Sponsors

Apprenticeship Support Australia

Proud Sponsor of Apprentice/Trainee of the Year

Building skills. Creating opportunities. Strengthening our future workforce.

Apprenticeship Support Australia (ASA) supports employers, apprentices and trainees throughout their apprenticeship and traineeship journey, delivering Australian Government-funded services at no cost.

Here in Shepparton, ASA provides local, face-to-face support to businesses, apprentices and trainees across the Goulburn Valley. Its experienced consultants help employers recruit and retain apprentices and trainees, complete training contracts, access available government incentives, identify suitable training providers and understand their workplace obligations.

For apprentices and trainees, that support continues from commencement through to completion, with practical guidance to help navigate workplace and training requirements and address challenges early.

What sets ASA apart is its strong local presence and personalised approach. By working alongside employers, apprentices and trainees for the long term, ASA helps build capability, improve workforce retention and create pathways to skilled employment.

Why they support the Greater Shepparton Business Excellence Awards

Apprenticeship Support Australia believes successful businesses create stronger communities, greater employment opportunities and increased economic prosperity across our region.

Through its work with employers across the Goulburn Valley, ASA sees firsthand the dedication, resilience and ambition required to build and sustain a successful business.

Supporting the Greater Shepparton Business Excellence Awards provides an opportunity to recognise those achievements while reinforcing the importance of investing in people, skills and workforce development.

It reflects ASA’s commitment to supporting growth, recognising excellence and helping regional industries thrive.

Why Apprentice/Trainee of the Year matters

The Apprentice/Trainee of the Year Award is particularly important to Apprenticeship Support Australia because it recognises the next generation of skilled workers helping shape the future of our region.

Apprentices and trainees make an important contribution to local businesses and industries while demonstrating their own commitment to learning, developing their skills and building rewarding careers.

As an organisation dedicated to apprenticeships and traineeships, this category sits at the heart of ASA’s work. Supporting the award provides an opportunity to celebrate outstanding achievement, highlight the value of vocational training and recognise individuals making a meaningful contribution to both their workplace and our region’s future workforce.

Building a stronger Greater Shepparton

Apprenticeship Support Australia works closely with local businesses, schools, training providers, industry groups and community organisations to promote career pathways and workforce development opportunities across Greater Shepparton and the Goulburn Valley.

Through engagement with schools, careers events, industry forums and community initiatives, ASA helps connect people with meaningful employment and training opportunities while supporting local businesses to attract and develop the skilled workers they need.

Its commitment extends beyond training contracts and administration. It is about building strong relationships, supporting local success and helping individuals and businesses reach their potential through skills, training and employment.

“At Apprenticeship Support Australia, we believe strong businesses are built by investing in people. The Business Excellence Awards provide an important opportunity to recognise the employers, apprentices and trainees who are helping drive growth, skills development and workforce success across the Greater Shepparton region.”

Did you know?

• Apprenticeship Support Australia has been providing Australian Apprenticeship support services since 1998.
• ASA operates nationally as an Apprentice Connect Australia Provider, with more than 60 locations and 400+ staff.
• Its strength lies in its local presence, with the Shepparton team working directly with local businesses, schools, training providers and community organisations to create career pathways and support workforce development.
• ASA’s support goes beyond facilitating training contracts, providing ongoing, personalised guidance to help apprentices and trainees succeed and employers build the skilled workforces they need for the future.
• Apprenticeship Support Australia is proudly powered by the Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, combining the Chamber’s strong business network and advocacy expertise with ASA’s apprenticeship and traineeship support services.

Greater Shepparton Business Centre

Proud Sponsor of Emerging & Micro Business of the Year

Supporting ideas. Growing businesses. Strengthening our region.

The Greater Shepparton Business Centre is where great ideas get their start, providing the support, space and guidance that help new and emerging businesses take their next step with confidence.

From flexible tenancies and mentoring to workshops and practical business advice, the Business Centre helps local entrepreneurs turn ambition into action. Every successful business begins with someone willing to take a chance on an idea, and the Greater Shepparton Business Centre is there to help those ideas grow into sustainable businesses that contribute to our region’s future.

Why they support the Business Excellence Awards

The Greater Shepparton Business Centre believes the Business Excellence Awards provide an important opportunity to celebrate the people, businesses and organisations that make Greater Shepparton such a vibrant place to live, work and do business.

Local businesses create jobs, drive innovation and strengthen our local economy. Supporting the Awards is one way the Business Centre can recognise and celebrate the outstanding contribution those businesses make to our community every day.

Why Emerging & Micro Business of the Year matters

Growth, innovation and business success are at the heart of what the Greater Shepparton Business Centre does.

As a business incubator, the Centre has the privilege of supporting entrepreneurs at the beginning of their journey and seeing businesses develop from a great idea into successful enterprises.

That makes Emerging & Micro Business of the Year a natural fit and a category the team is particularly proud to support.

Building a stronger Greater Shepparton

The Greater Shepparton Business Centre sends a powerful message about our region: we believe in entrepreneurs, we believe in innovation, and we believe regional communities can compete with the very best when people are given the right support and opportunities.

Every business helped to grow contributes to a stronger local economy, creates employment opportunities and helps build a more prosperous future for Greater Shepparton.

“Today’s start-up could be tomorrow’s local success story. That’s why supporting local business matters.”

“When local businesses grow, jobs grow, opportunities grow, and our whole community grows.”

Did you know?

• The Greater Shepparton Business Centre will celebrate 30 years of supporting the Greater Shepparton business community in 2028.
• Greater Shepparton City Council proudly operates one of the few local government-supported business incubators in regional Australia.
• Its facilities are available for casual hire, including meeting rooms, training spaces and boardrooms for businesses, community groups and organisations.
• Since opening its doors, the Business Centre has helped hundreds of local entrepreneurs turn their business dreams into reality.

Meet our Excellence in Business Sponsors:

Professional Services – GV VETS

As a locally owned and operated veterinary clinic located on Nixon Street in Shepparton, GV Vets provides a comprehensive range of veterinary services for both family pets and farm animals across the region. Their purpose-built clinic combines a welcoming, modern environment with state-of-the-art equipment, ensuring the highest standard of care for every animal they treat.

Beyond their commitment to animal health, is passionate about supporting the local community through partnerships with businesses, sporting clubs, charities and students. Their dedication to giving back makes them a valued addition to the Greater Shepparton business community.

Retail Services – Harvey Norman Shepparton

A trusted name in retail, Harvey Norman Shepparton has long been committed to providing quality products, expert advice and outstanding customer service to the local community. Offering a wide range of furniture, bedding, electrical, technology and home solutions, their team continues to help customers find the right products to suit their needs.

As a strong supporter of the Greater Shepparton community, Harvey Norman Shepparton understands the important role local businesses play in driving economic growth and creating vibrant communities. Their support of the GSBN Business Awards helps recognise and celebrate the businesses that are delivering excellence across our region.

Thank you to Harvey Norman Shepparton for partnering with us and supporting the recognition of business excellence through the Excellence in Business Award – Retail & Services.

Trade Services – GMCU 

For generations, GMCU has been committed to supporting individuals, families and businesses across regional communities. As a customer-owned financial institution, GMCU is focused on delivering personalised service, trusted financial solutions and meaningful investment back into the communities it serves.

Their commitment to supporting local businesses and fostering regional growth aligns strongly with the values of the Greater Shepparton Business Excellence Awards. Through their sponsorship of the Excellence in Business Award: Trade Services, GMCU is helping recognise the skilled trades businesses that play a vital role in building, maintaining and strengthening our region.

Thank you to GV VETS, Harvey Norman Shepparton and GMCU Shepparton for supporting GSBN to present the Greater Shepparton Business Excellence Awards and helping us celebrate the outstanding achievements of our local business community.

Meet our Excellence in Customer Service Sponsors:

Retail / Hospitality Services – Harvey Norman Shepparton 

A trusted name in retail, Harvey Norman Shepparton has long been committed to providing quality products, expert advice and outstanding customer service to the local community. Offering a wide range of furniture, bedding, electrical, technology and home solutions, their team continues to help customers find the right products to suit their needs.

As a strong supporter of the Greater Shepparton community, Harvey Norman Shepparton understands the important role local businesses play in driving economic growth and creating vibrant communities. Their support of the GSBN Business Awards helps recognise and celebrate the businesses that are delivering excellence across our region.

Trade Services – MB+M

For many years, MB+M has been a trusted professional services firm supporting businesses across the Goulburn Valley and beyond. With expertise across accounting, business advisory and financial services, their team is committed to helping local businesses grow, succeed and navigate an ever-changing business landscape.

MB+M understands that exceptional customer service is at the heart of every successful business. Their support of the Excellence in Customer Service Award – Trade Services helps recognise and celebrate the trade businesses that consistently go above and beyond to deliver outstanding service and build strong relationships with their customers.

Thank you to Harvey Norman Shepparton & MB+M Shepparton for supporting GSBN to present the Greater Shepparton Business Excellence Awards Proudly brought to you by Shepparton Club Inc. and helping us recognise the businesses that set the benchmark for customer service excellence across our region.

Professional Services – LoveTheGV

MB+M

Proud Sponsor of Excellence in Customer Service – Trade Services

80 years of trusted advice, strong relationships and community connection.

For 80 years, MB+M has helped individuals, families and businesses make confident financial decisions.

Providing accounting, business advisory and financial planning services, MB+M describes itself first and foremost as a people business. By building trusted relationships, simplifying the complex and providing practical advice, the team is committed to making life easier for the people and businesses it supports.

It is an approach that has seen MB+M work alongside generations of clients across the Goulburn Valley and reach an important milestone in 2026 – 80 years in business.

Why they support the Business Excellence Awards

For MB+M, supporting the Greater Shepparton Business Excellence Awards is an opportunity to celebrate the people, businesses and achievements that help our region grow, prosper and remain a great place to live and work.

The Awards shine a light on the hard work, innovation and leadership behind successful local businesses while recognising the important contribution they make to the wider community.

MB+M is proud to help celebrate those achievements and the people who make them possible.

Why Excellence in Customer Service – Trade Services matters

Great customer service is built on trust – something MB+M values deeply.

Strong customer relationships are at the heart of every successful business, regardless of industry. The Excellence in Customer Service – Trade Services Award recognises businesses that understand the importance of those relationships and consistently demonstrate quality, reliability and genuine care for their customers.

For MB+M, supporting this category is an opportunity to recognise the trade businesses setting a high standard for service and building lasting relationships with the people they serve.

Building a stronger Greater Shepparton

MB+M has a long-standing connection to the Greater Shepparton community and is proud to support the region through local partnerships, sponsorships and community initiatives.

After 80 years in business, helping the region thrive remains important to the team – both through the work they do with their clients and through their involvement in the community they call home.

“When local businesses succeed, our whole community benefits. We’re proud to support and celebrate the people shaping the future of our region.”

Did you know?

• MB+M is celebrating 80 years in business in 2026.
• Across eight decades, MB+M has helped generations of individuals, families and businesses across the Goulburn Valley thrive.
• While MB+M provides accounting, business advisory and financial planning services, at its heart it remains a people business built around trusted relationships.

Young Professional of the Year is sponsored by Greater Shepparton Business Network