Across September and October, exceptional family businesses took centre stage at the Family Business Insights Conferences, receiving their Family Business Excellence Awards in recognition of their outstanding achievements.
The energy was palpable as business owners took to the stage to accept their awards, reflecting on their achievements, the challenges they’ve overcome, and what this award means to their families and teams. These awards showcase the best of family business, representing more than their business success, also their values, long-term vision and stewardship.
The Family Business Excellence Awards are an initiative of Family Business Association that recognises and celebrates the achievements of families and individuals in respected and successful family businesses of all sizes and at all stages, acknowledging the significant contribution they make to the Australian and New Zealand social fabric and economy. Unlike many other business awards, the Family Business Excellence Awards specifically acknowledge and showcase excellence in family business.
“Family businesses are the heart of Australia and New Zealand’s economy and social fabric. These awards celebrate not only their achievements but also the enduring spirit of entrepreneurship, resilience, and community that family businesses embody.” - Catherine Sayer, FBA CEO.
Congratulations to all our deserving winners, who are now our finalists for the overall Family Business Excellence Awards 2026, to be held in May 2026 at the Family Business Conference: Asia-Pacific in Hobart, Tasmania.
About the Family Business Excellence Awards
The Family Business Excellence Awards are presented to an outstanding family business demonstrating excellence and achievement in the core business principles of Governance, Entrepreneurship and Stewardship, and exhibits how family ownership and involvement has helped the business to achieve a competitive advantage.
The Business Awards are made up of three categories; Founder’s Family Business, Established Family Business and Legacy Family Business.
The Family Business Excellence Awards 2025/26 are presented across 6 regions - South Australia / Northern Territory, New Zealand, Queensland, Victoria / Tasmania, New South Wales / ACT, and Western Australia as part of the Family Business Insights Conferences throughout September and October 2025. The winners of the regional awards then become the finalists in the overall awards held in May 2026.
Meet Our Regional Winners 2025/2026
Founder’s Family Business Award Winners
A founder’s family business is a business in its early stages of development, owned and operated by members of the same family, characterised by their relatively recent establishment and may still be in the process of formalising their structures, systems and governance processes.
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Purple Giraffe |
Annabelle's |
Oxlade Financial |
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GPSM |
Western Specialist Centre |
Purple Giraffe
Founder's Family Business Award for South Australia and Northern Territory 2025/26
Purple Giraffe began as a solo venture in 2014 and has transformed over the years into the trusted team it is today, supporting over 150 businesses nationally and internationally. Grounded in their commitment to personal and tailored service, Purple Giraffe has built a dynamic, flexible, and supportive culture where collaboration thrives, and success is celebrated.
Guided by their Founder, Head Giraffe Lynda, Purple Giraffe thrives on empowering their clients, and their dedication to personal touch. Maintaining a boutique model, choosing quality over volume, this business thrives on being and treating everyone like one of the family.
The award was accepted at the Family Business Insights SA/NT Conference by Lynda Schenk.
“When I started Purple Giraffe, I wanted to create a business that made professional 'corporate' marketing accessible to smaller businesses by providing an outsourced marketing alternative. I'm proud to say that today, we have managed to achieve that goal.”
“Family is a funny thing. You can be born into it, marry into it, or, sometimes, more importantly, you can choose it. The people who stand by you, share your dreams, and have your back every day, are every bit as much family as those connected by blood.”
“Finally, thank you to Family Business Association for recognising Purple Giraffe with this award. It’s a true honour, and one that I share with my family; both the ones I have been given, and the ones I have chosen.”
Annabelle's
Founder's Family Business Award for New Zealand 2025/26
Established in 1998, Annabelle's has made its home in Auckland, overlooking Rangitoto Island. Starting as a small venture with only five staff and a commitment to showing up every day of the year, including Christmas Day when they serve over 200 guests, they have expanded over the years, doubling both their footprint and their team. Annabelle's work ethic is at its core. They have built their legacy by leading through example. If something needs doing, they step in, whether it is front of house, in the kitchen or making coffees. Relying on direct communication and mutual accountability, this business is not just owned, it is lived. They do not separate family and business, because as a family business, this is their family’s legacy.
The award was accepted at the Family Business Insights New Zealand Conference by Sang and Susan Cho.
"Thank you very much for everyone who's here today, especially FBA giving us this award, we weren't expecting this at all. We've been running the restaurant for 27 years. I started off as a little kid and grew up in the restaurant business watching my mums hard work over the years... she's my hero when it comes to business."
"I'd also like to thank her for coming to New Zealand all those years ago, we immigrated from Korea and never thought about buying a restaurant, until she decided to go for a walk and found this restaurant called Annabelle's... she loved that name."
"I'd also like to thank everyone who's supported our business over the 27 years, customers who have become our friends."
Oxlade Financial
Founder's Family Business Award for Queensland 2025/26
Known for its independence and goals-based approach, Oxlade Financial blends industry-leading expertise with a genuine commitment to understanding and supporting each individual’s journey. Husband-and-wife team Emma and Mark have been committed to their family business since 2022 and have always prided themselves on their dedication to their purpose: “Making clients excited about their future, then making it happen.” Starting with a single book of 70 clients and a small team, they have grown into a reputable advice firm supporting hundreds of individuals and families across Australia.
The award was accepted at the Family Business Insights QLD Conference by Mark and Emma O'flynn.
Emma said: “Winning this award is particularly meaningful because, as everyone in family business knows, the highs are very high and the lows are very low. I’m really proud of what we have achieved together.”
GPSM
Founder's Family Business Award for New South Wales and ACT 2025/26
GPSM has been operating since 2002 and has built a strong reputation in their industry by consistently delivering quality and innovation with professionalism and integrity. At the heart of their approach is CommuniCater, a proprietary platform that is widely regarded by clients as a benchmark for transparency and control in supply chain management.
GPSM's commitment to their clients is undeniable. They have excellent customer service, with relationships spanning decades, and are supported by their technology-driven approach and personalised service. GPSM is forward-thinking, building the business not just for themselves but for future generations.
The award was accepted at the Family Business Insights NSW/ACT Conference by Tarsha Harriott.
"GPSM began 22 years ago with a simple but powerful belief that freight forwarding and logistics is not just about moving goods, but about building trust and relationships that last. My mum, along with her business partner, Bill, founded this business on hard work, integrity, and genuine care for our customers and our people."
"To our incredible team... this award belongs to you. You're the reason that GPSM continues to grow, innovate and stay true to who we are."
"To Family Business Association.... You remind us that success isn't only measured by profit, but by the legacy we build, the people we grow, and the communities that we serve. And finally, to Mum and Bill ... thank you for your vision, your courage, and your unwavering belief in what GPSM could become. This award is a reflection of your journey and it is a privilege to carry that legacy forward. Thank you."
Western Specialist Centre
Founder's Family Business Award for Victoria and Tasmania 2025/26
Western Specialist Centre has built a strong and trusted reputation by consistently delivering high-quality, culturally sensitive, and community-focused healthcare services. Dedicated to their mission of providing quality care and inspiring lasting community health change, they continue to lead through clinical excellence, advocacy, and innovation. Western Specialist Centre has expanded throughout Melbourne's north-west, with more growth on the horizon. They partner with multiple Australian universities to provide hands-on training for emerging health professionals through placements, research, and community projects. In 2024, they launched an international partnership with the University of Birmingham in the UK, hosting medical students and extending its impact globally. With a strong focus on excellence, innovation, and community, Western Specialist Centre truly embodies what it means to make a lasting difference.
The award was accepted at the Family Business Insights VIC/TAS Conference by Dr Raj Khillan and Dr Preeti Khillan.
"We started Western Specialist Centre 10 years ago with a simple passion, to serve the women and children of Melbourne's western suburbs. What began as just the two of us, Raj and myself, has grown into a team of more than 30 health professionals." – Preeti
"It's an honour to receive this award from Family Business Association and Minister Natalie Suleyman... As a doctor, I learnt these [business] skills first-hand in a grocery shop sitting with my dad back in India many years ago when I was a child. The basic skills of integrity, trust, making connections and customer-first, these are all applicable to businesses everywhere." – Raj
Established Family Business Award Winners
An established family business has solidified its position within its industry and community, which has undergone phases of growth, maturation, and succession planning, often has formalised structures, systems, and governance processes in place, as well as clear roles and responsibilities among family members and non-family employees, with protocols for decision-making and conflict resolution.
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Gilberton Outback Retreat |
Contemporary Catering |
Striker |
Gilberton Outback Retreat
Established Family Business Award for Queensland 2025/26
Six hours from the nearest town, in the heart of the outback, the French family have been the caretakers of Gilberton Station for over 150 years. Seventh-generation owners Rob and Lyn decided to take the business in a new direction in 2014 when they expanded the cattle station into a luxury, off-grid retreat. Booked out two years in advance, this experience is like no other, as guests are welcomed not just onto the property but into the home, history and way of life of this husband-and-wife team. This family business understands hardship, having survived drought and the challenges of life in a remote location. They have also launched the not-for-profit BushED, which supports over 3,000 families; started the program Mothers in Arms; and introduced new sustainability initiatives to the community, including regenerative grazing and fire management.
The award was accepted at the Family Business Insights QLD Conference by Lyn French via video.
“We are honoured to accept this award. Although we can’t be there in person, we are grateful to be recognised. Running a family business has unique challenges, just like our luxury five-star retreat. This award celebrates the logistics of living in outback Australia. It’s a legacy of our values as a family business.”
Contemporary Catering
Established Family Business Award for Victoria and Tasmania 2025/26
Contemporary Catering has been delivering tailored, high-quality meals to the aged care sector and beyond since 1992. Still operating under the stewardship of the founding generation, they are always guided by their mission to make great food, prepared to high standards by people who care. Over the years, they have grown from humble, hands-on beginnings into a larger, more dynamic organisation, supported by a diverse and passionate team working together to deliver exceptional service. At its heart is a team who are driven and dedicated to leading with integrity and setting new benchmarks in culinary innovation and service excellence.
The award was accepted at the Family Business Insights VIC/TAS Conference by Neil Shankly.
“This is truly an honour and the recognition of a lot of work done by a lot of people.”
“We started about 33 years ago, my wife, Robyn, and I started the business. This award is not really for us, it's recognition for the work that everybody else does.”
“Thank you to Robyn, and our son and daughter. People in the room, you’ll understand that in family business, it’s there all the time. It’s at the dinner table with you, it’s late at night. It’s there in the morning and there on the weekends… It becomes part of the DNA of the family. And I think that’s a big part of the journey of where we are today.”
“The staff that we have, we can never thank our staff enough. Similarly, our suppliers and our customers also.”
Striker
Established Family Business Award for Western Australia 2025/26
Striker began in 1998 in a shed with a big idea and has grown into the second-generation, Australian owned and operated company it is today. Founded by tradesmen who know machinery inside and out, it has earned a reputation for producing tough, reliable, mobile, and modular equipment, built specifically for Australian conditions. Trusted by miners, contractors, and operators across Australia and overseas, the business remains steadfast in its values of hard work, honesty, loyalty, and backing its people. Always prioritising long-term relationships over transactions, it was built from the ground up and continues to improve and support the mining and quarrying industry with real, practical solutions.
The award was accepted at the Family Business Insights WA State Conference by Jordan Pedley.
“I’m really, really proud and honoured to be here. Dad worked in the industry for a fair few years as an operator, maintaining crushing and screening equipment, and then he came home to Mum and said, “I want to start something on my own.” He went into manufacturing, and now we’ve got global manufacturing facilities around the world. It’s awesome to reflect on what we’ve done. We’re always looking forward and at the goals we’ve got going forward. I think it’s really important to reflect on what everyone’s done, and we’re all here because we’re family businesses, so be proud of what you’ve done.”
Legacy Family Business Award Winners
A legacy family is a business that has been established by a family and has been passed down through multiple generations. These businesses often have a rich history and tradition, with family members playing key roles in both ownership and management. A business that demonstrates the intention to sustain the business over the long term, with a focus on preserving the family's values, culture, and heritage. Legacy family businesses often face unique challenges related to succession planning, governance, and maintaining family harmony alongside business success.
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Tranzit Group |
Beerenberg |
Tobin Brothers |
Tranzit Group
Legacy Family Business Award for New Zealand 2025/26
Tranzit Group started in 1925, celebrating a huge milestone of 100 years in operation this year. It began as a small regional bus service with a single vision - to connect people and places. Four generations later, that vision has grown into one of New Zealand’s largest family-owned transport and tourism providers, operating thousands of vehicles across the country.
Always keeping family at the forefront, they lead by example, supporting their staff to be their best and achieve their goals, including having the youngest female bus driver in the country on staff. This business has built its reputation on a commitment to sustainable growth, innovation, and the preservation of family values.
The award was accepted at the Family Business Insights NZ State Conference by Jenna Snelgrove.
"Thank you, I want to accept this award on behalf of our family and our team at Tranzit. I'm here with my sister, Renee, who was the youngest female to get her bus licence in New Zealand about. 20 odd years ago. I'm also here with David Moffat, who is our CFO of the Transit Group.”
"The Legacy Award is really important and meaningful for us, as next month, in about three weeks, we celebrate 100 years. Being a 4th generation family business, it's a pretty exciting milestone! We've had some really awesome milestones over the last few years. Introducing New Zealand's first electric bus in 2016-17 with Auckland University of Technology. Introducing the first double-decker electric bus of Greater Wellington, and more recently... Our workshop team repowered a double-decker diesel bus to electric, which is a southern hemisphere at first.
"We're really pleased to be here and want to thank Family Business Association, we've just signed up this year and Nicole has introduced us to a lot of people and opportunities... thank you for this award."
Beerenberg
Legacy Family Business Award for South Australia and Northern Territory 2025/26
Over 180 years ago, the Paech family arrived in South Australia and started a small farm. Many years later, in 1969, fifth-generation custodians took a bold risk and began planting strawberries. What started in a tin shed on the side of the road has since grown into a global family business.
Expanding over the years to include condiments, strawberry picking, and a visitor centre with a café, Beerenberg has always dared to dream big. Available in major supermarkets and served sky high on Qantas flights, it has become an Australian icon for many generations. Staying true to their heritage and the pioneering spirit of their founders, they continue to support their community, empower young leaders, and put trust in future generations.
The award was accepted at the Family Business Insights SA/NT Conference by Anthony Paech.
“Thank you very much, this is a great honour, I really appreciate it. It’s not an overnight success at all for us, we’re six generations and came to South Australia in 1879 and we've been on the same farm in Hahndorf all that time.”
“I’ve worked in the business my whole life. I was Managing Director, now I’m Executive Chair. I work with my brother, sister and my mother.”
“Thanks to them [Anthony’s Parents], we have helped to build this business into what it is today.”
“It’s a real honour and I really appreciate it, thank you.”
Tobin Brothers Funerals
Legacy Family Business Award for Victoria and Tasmania 2025/26
For more than nine decades, Tobin Brothers Funerals have walked beside communities in their most vulnerable moments, offering a service through compassion, trust, and understanding. Started by four brothers, Tobin Brothers now spans across two states and 27 branches. They have not only changed the industry, they have been the benchmark for quality service and ethical practice. Now in their fourth generation, this family business has had a long pioneering history, expanding the business to include a 24-hour advice line, a foundation supporting communities, a national training arm, an app, and a catering service. Their reputation has been built over generations, caring for families and ensuring their loved ones are treated with dignity.
The award was accepted at the Family Business Insights VIC/TAS Conference by Brydie Hull.
“On behalf of my family and everyone at Tobin Brothers, I want to sincerely thank FBA for this incredible recognition.”
“Our family has grown through four generations, each devoted to serving our community with compassion and care. Over 90 years later, Tobin Brothers have become the largest Australian family-owned funeral business.”
“This award is not just a recognition of our history, but a celebration of the enduring values that continue to guide us today – Family, Integrity, Community and Service.”
“Family businesses like ours are woven into the fabric of our community, and they are also the backbone of Australia’s economy, providing jobs, innovation and stability across generations, and we are proud to play our part in that story.”
