Awards
Annual awards recognise significant contributionsThe Newcastle Business Club Annual Awards recognise a younger (under 35) person, an individual and a company/organisation each year who have made a significant contribution toward the commonweal of Newcastle and the Hunter Region. Whether that is through the improvement of industry, culture, education, sport or the overall commonweal of the citizens of Newcastle.
Hunter Diversity Awards (The Equal Futures Project)
The Hunter Diversity Awards is an initiative of the Equal Futures Project – a local group of business leaders dedicated to raising awareness and funds that will facilitate gender equity in the region.
In their fourth year, the awards aim to recognise and celebrate the diversity champions among us, those who have discovered what works in making their organisation and/or community a fairer, more equitable and more successful place to live and work.
In 2018 Newcastle Business Club collaborated with The Equal Futures Project to deliver the awards.
Past Winners
2018
Individual: Colin Law
Organisation: Out of the Square Media
Youth: Lloyd Valentine
Diversity Individual: Deirdra Tindale
Diversity Organisation: AECOM
2017
Individual: Jillian Dwyer
Organisation: The Man Shake
Youth: Hanna Barry
2016
Individual: Jon Chin
Organisation: The Mark Hughes Foundation
Youth: Chris Thornton
2015
Keith Stronach
Organisation: Compass Housing
Youth: Andy Howard
2014
Neil Slater
Organisation: Maroba Caring Communities
Youth: Anthony Laskovski
2013
WEJ Paradice
Youth: Dr Rohan Walker
Organisation: Harris Wheeler Lawyers
2012
John Coyle
Youth: Steph Hinds
Organisation: University of Newcastle
2011
Mike Rabbitt
Organisation: Hunter Development Corporation
2010
Rhonda Scruton
Organisation: Renew Newcastle
2009
Eddie Cross
Organisation: BreastScreen NSW Hunter New England Health
2008
Professor Trevor Waring
Organisation: Newcastle Permanent Building Society
2007
Warren Smith
Organisation: Newcastle Airport
2006
Dr William Bowmore
Organisation: Piano Australia – Stuart & Sons
2005
Lee Shearer
Organisation: HunterValleyGardens
2004
Roy Watson
Organisation: Newcastle Cruising Yacht Club
2003
Adele Saunders
Organisation: Hunter Medical Research Institute
2002
Frank Rigby
Organisation: Newcastle Newspapers
2001
Yahoo Serious
Organisation: Radio 2NC 1233
2000 Newcastle’s Famous Tram
1999 Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service
1998 Tyrrells Wines
1997 Newcastle Knights
1996 Port Waratah Coal Services
1995 John McNaughton and Margaret McNaughton
1994 Cowan Manufacturing
1993 Ampcontrol Pty Limited
1992 Tomago Aluminium
1991 Faculty of Medicine, University of Newcastle
1990 Newcastle Knights
1989 AWS Frigate Consortium and Support Group
1988 Newcastle City Council
1987 Richard Owens
1986 Dart Australia Pty Limited
1985 BHP Limited
1984 Newcastle Permanent Building Society
1983 Howard Smith Limited
1982 Professor Cyril Renwick
1981 Carrington Slipways Pty Limited
1980 NBN Television
1979 Alex Young
1978 KB United Soccer Club
1977 Eric Lingard
History of the Awards
In 1975 Newcastle Business Club recognised that there were many organisations and individuals that were making significant contributions to the region.
That year, under the Presidency of David Le Marchant, and with the assistance of John McNaughton and Cliff McDonald – the Club decided to make an annual award to a business, organisation or an individual who had made a significant contribution toward the improvement of industry, culture, education, sport or the wellbeing or commonweal of the citizens of the city of Newcastle.
In the same year, the Newcastle Region Art Gallery project was underway and the Club decided to make a presentation to the Gallery of a major work of art titled “The Summerhouse” by Hilda Rix-Nicholas.
The painting remains an integral part of the Club’s award process. Each year the award recipient is provided with a framed award, which includes a miniature copy of the Rix-Nicholas Summer House painting.
The painting symbolises a commitment by this Club and its members to the people of this region and importantly helps us to keep a strong tradition of recognising those who have contributed to the commonweal of the city.
In 2012, under the Presidency of Daniel Quinn and with the assistance of committee member Greg Valentine, the Club also decided to introduce a Youth award, to recognise young people who are striving to make a difference in our community.
In 2018, under the Presidency of Holly Martin, the Club collaborated with The Equal Futures Project to deliver the Hunter Diversity Awards.
