This award is open to businesses who demonstrate a commitment to strengthening their local community beyond their core business purpose.
Voting closes 11.59pm Sunday 12 July, 2026.
Votes will be calculated and the top three will be recognised on Thursday 23 July at the Finalist Event.
The winner will be announced Thursday 27 August at the 2026 Federation University Commerce Ballarat Business Excellence Awards Gala Night.
Z Protection Services goes beyond business as usual by supporting practical community safety and wellbeing across Ballarat. Our Ballarat Community Safety Patrols Project has been developed to provide a more accessible, community-focused approach to safety for residents and local businesses, especially during a time when many households are facing financial pressure. The project aims to improve visibility, reporting, prevention, and reassurance across local suburbs. Beyond this, we support community initiatives such as One Humanity Shower Bus, local sporting groups, and community organisations. We also provide safety advice, incident response guidance, and practical support to residents and businesses where needed.
Since 2023, we have operated a Free Plumbing Initiative for people receiving home based palliative care through Ballarat Hospice Care (completely free materials and labour). We’re Corporate members of the Rotary Club of Ballarat Inc, and since 2024, have been major sponsors of the Ballarat Rod Run.
We run a charity event called ‘The Long Night’ which raises money and awareness for metal health in the community. This event is in memory of James Petrie a beloved member of the Ballarat community who died by suicide. The event symbolises the struggles of mental health where the participants run for 24 hours (on a 6.7km loop) as many loops as they can do, running through the night shows the struggles of how people struggle through the night but the sun always rises, even on the tough days.
By hosting a form of fundraiser every Friday night and donating proceeds, hosting Parma nights for the Make-a-wish and Lions Club foundation, supporting small local business by ranging their products (Jades Bakes & Blooms), sponsoring over 10 sporting clubs.
We support our community in a myriad of ways; seen and unseen. We have donated hundreds of cupcakes to delivery drivers, the Emergency Services, nursing homes, school and sporting fundraisers. We have supported our own community and the Arts in Ballarat. Not enough space here to list.
The Hippie Whippy prioritises supporting the broader Ballarat community. Beyond attending a diverse range of events, we continue to support fundraising efforts, donate proceeds, and sponsor local organisations, to give back. We are an inclusive business, treating everyone with respect and autonomy.
At Step Up Support Services, we believe true inclusion is created through connection, opportunity, and belonging. We go beyond traditional disability support by empowering people to build confidence, independence, and meaningful relationships within their community. Through innovative programs, skill development, employment pathways, and community participation, we help individuals achieve their goals while strengthening the social fabric of Ballarat. Our commitment to creating welcoming, inclusive spaces ensures people of all abilities feel valued, supported, and empowered to thrive, making a lasting positive impact across the broader community
Beyond our core work, Raven champions women across Ballarat by elevating female founded businesses, fostering collaboration over competition and creating spaces where women feel seen, supported and connected. We believe strong communities are built when women support women.
We use our venue to bring people together, raise funds and create opportunity. In the past 12 months, our monthly fundraising Drag Bingo events have helped generate over $32,000 in cash donations for local sporting clubs and theatre groups, charities and community causes. We also provide $50,000 in sponsorship support to local sporting clubs and theatre groups plus over $4,000 in gift vouchers in the past six months for anyone that requests a prize for their local fundraising cause. We regularly support LGBTQIA+, family and veteran events, we also offer free tickets when cost is a barrier. Piano Bar’s Got Talent to provides a stage, sound, lighting and production to support for emerging local artists.
Maggie & Kate has supported Buninyong for ten years – not just because it’s where we are located, but because we genuinely believe in this town. We sponsor Buninyong Tennis Club, Buninyong Football Netball Club and Buninyong Little Athletics every year. We take part in Cafe Smart, raising funds for people experiencing homelessness in our community. We donate vouchers to local schools and not-for-profits for fundraising, and on Pay It Forward Day we go further – last year giving free morning tea to two local schools. During fire season we collect donations for Buninyong Mt Helen CFA and offer free coffees to volunteers protecting our town. These commitments happen every year, no matter what happening in business, because Buninyong isn’t just where we trade – it’s where we belong.
At Happy Scraps, we believe in turning potential food waste into opportunity. Through our various initiatives, we are helping to close the loop on food waste while providing accessible, healthy meals to our community.
We actively support local sporting and community organizations through sponsorship of footy and netball clubs, bowls clubs, and community race days, helping promote participation, healthy lifestyles, & volunteer engagement. We also assist community groups and fundraising initiatives through donations of products, merchandise, and raffle prizes for local causes. Our commitment to agriculture is reflected in our sponsorship of the Ballarat Sheep Show, the Ballarat Agricultural Show, and other regional shows that celebrate and support local farming communities. During times of hardship, Elders provides practical assistance, including support for BlazeAid initiatives, hay transport for fire-affected farmers, disaster recovery efforts, and 12-month interest-free disaster relief.
At the heart of Driving Miss Daisy Ballarat we provide NDIS, Support at Home, Transition Care Program and Patient Transport as an “Associate” to many Not For Profit Organisations and Registered Providers in the Ballarat and surrounding areas. We collectively contribute to the well-being of individuals with disabilities and those needing assistance due to aging within our community. We have played a key role since 2023 and our Companion Driving Service guarantees safe service delivery, enhancing operational efficiency, filling gaps, and improving outcomes.
Our aim is to keep individuals safe, independent, and supported in their homes by taking them to medical appointments, access to allied health services, social engagements and outings. We’re family when family can’t be there…
Community is deeply embedded in our values, culture and the way we engage with those around us every day. We believe businesses thrive when they are connected to communities and that success comes from giving back. We are committed to making meaningful contributions to the place where we work and live. Through volunteering, sponsorships, donations and active participation in a broad range of fundraising and community initiatives, we create positive outcomes. Community engagement is intentionally woven into everything we do, creating a lasting impact beyond our business. We are extremely proud of the relationships we have built within Ballarat and the reputation we have earned through our ongoing commitment to helping create a stronger, more connected and vibrant community.
As a small business owner, I have built an inclusive arts studio where people can connect, and community groups can access creative processes that improve mental health and wellbeing.
I have been able to offer local artists opportunities to facilitate community-based groups, mentor allied health professionals and support the Ballarat City Council Youth Team in delivering sessions for young people focused on healthy and supportive relationships.
Through my work, I foster belonging, social connection and support for individuals and families. I am committed to ensuring creative opportunities remain accessible, regularly offering complimentary sessions and activities to remove barriers so more people can experience the benefit of creativity and social inclusion.
For over 15 years Adroit Insurance & Risk Ballarat has provided financial donations to the Children’s Ward @ Ballarat Health Services (Now Grampians Health Services)
Adroit Insurance & Risk Ballarat – volunteering.
For 9 years, staff at our Ballarat Office participate in volunteering at a local primary school @ Breakfast Club every Thursday morning during term.
For 9 years staff volunteered @ a Christmas Egg & Bacon Roll morning feeding the whole school. Staff have also donated Christmas gifts to school families who cannot afford the money to spend on Christmas. We aim for these nominated families to feel equality to others on this day.
We also raise funds for Movember , Biggest Morning Tea for Cancer research. RUOK Day & Pyjama Day – Raising funds for Children in Foster Care. Genes for Genes & Dollys Day.
