Business NSW - Western NSW

16/06/2026

It's fantastic to see one of our members and State Business Award winner, Black Gold being announced as Tripadvisor's Top 1% of Hotels Worldwide for the second year!

Huge congratulations to the Cluff family - incredible achievement and based right here in Western NSW.

🏆 TOP 1% IN THE WORLD—TWO YEARS RUNNING 🏆

We're incredibly proud to share that Black Gold has once again been recognised in TripAdvisor's Travellers' Choice Best of the Best Awards, placing us among the top 1% of hotels worldwide for the second consecutive year.

🌎 Top 1% of Hotels Worldwide
🐨 #4 Hotel in Australia
🌊 #5 Hotel in the South Pacific

For a family-owned business in Wallerawang, this recognition means more than we can put into words.

What makes these awards so special is that they're not decided by judges or industry panels — they're based entirely on reviews and ratings from guests who have stayed with us throughout the year.

To every guest who has stayed, dined, attended an event, recommended us to a friend, or supported us in any way — thank you.

To our incredible team, whose hard work, pride and care are at the heart of everything we do — this achievement belongs to you.

From an old school purchased by Robert and Linda in 1995 to being recognised among the very best hotels in the world, for the second year running... what a journey.

We'd also like to congratulate our friends at Quest Orange on their recognition in this year's Tripadvisor Travellers' Choice Best of the Best Awards.

As a fellow Central West NSW tourism business, it's fantastic to see regional operators continuing to fly the flag on the national stage. Congratulations to the entire Quest Orange team on an outstanding achievement. 👏

The Central West continues to prove it has some of the very best accommodation experiences in Australia.

Thank you for being part of the Black Gold story.

🖤💛



The Village Voice 2LT Visit NSW Visit Seven Valleys Business NSW - Western NSW Lithgow Business Directory Lithgow District Chamber of Commerce Lithgow NSW Australia Wallerawang2845 Wallerawang Lidsdale Progress Association Lithgow Living Lidsdale NSW 2790 Destination NSW Andrew Gee MP Ask Roz Blue Mountains Made in Lithgow Coal Miners Paul Toole MP The Foundations, Portland NSW Regional Development Australia Central West Wallerawang Lidsdale Progress Association 7NEWS Central West ABC Central West 9 News Central West

22/05/2026

What a night for Western NSW business!

The 2026 Western NSW Business Awards wrapped up in Orange last Friday and what an incredible celebration of the talent, resilience and innovation across our region.

A huge congratulations to all our winners and finalists. The calibre of businesses in Western NSW continues to impress, and every finalist should be proud of what they have achieved.

🏆 Western NSW Business of the Year: Green Timber Technology

A standout example of what’s possible in our region. Congratulations to Pete and the entire team.

GTT is reshaping how Australia builds - using advanced timber systems to reduce construction time, cut carbon, and bring much-needed certainty to the industry. A powerful reminder that innovation is thriving right here in Western NSW.

A sincere thank you to everyone who made the night possible:

👉 Our VIP guests: Stephen Lawrence MLC, Philip Donato, Andrew Gee MP, Lyn Lewis-Smith, Kalina Koloff, Matthew Irvine, Tammy Greenhalgh and Paula Martin

👉 Our major sponsor 123 Tix and all category sponsors. Ayme Staffing, Colton Computer Technologies, Joblink Plus, Meraki People, Orange City Council - Wiradjuri Country, Regional Development Australia Central West, SCA and Telstra.

👉 Our 24 judges for their time and expertise

👉 Rebecca Saunders as our MC

And to the incredible local businesses who brought the event to life - we couldn’t do it without you: Orange Ex-Services' Club, CCT Productions Kirsten Cunningham Photography - Commercial, Lulu and Lotti Event Styling, Firecracker Photobooths, Loveridge Digital , Print Storm and Heyboyheygirlmusic

Events like this matter. They shine a light on the businesses driving our region forward and inspire the next wave of growth and innovation.

📹 Loveridge Digital

21/05/2026

We thank the NSW Government for listening to business concerns and taking action to support those most immediately affected by the Great Western Highway disruption.

This is a critical step in helping businesses manage what has become a significant and ongoing economic disruption.

Support includes:

👉$10,000 grants for affected small businesses in Mount Victoria, Hartley, Little Hartley and Hartley Vale
👉Grants to local councils for activations, promotional activities and community events
👉Business Advisory Services for impacted business owners
👉Business Workshops across the region to advise on support services, cashflow, cost management, diversification and marketing in June

However, the support package does not reflect the full scale and complexity of impacts being felt across the whole of the region.

While we welcome the support, particularly to some of the most affected areas, there are businesses outside those boundaries who are experiencing similar cost increases and loss of trade but are currently not eligible for assistance.

In addition, key industries including manufacturing, visitor economy, transport and construction remain particularly vulnerable.

These sectors have been among some of the hardest hit. These operators are absorbing significantly higher costs due to detours.

Without additional support for businesses across the region, there is a real risk that otherwise viable businesses will not survive.

We will continue to advocate for broader support.

15/05/2026

🎉 And the big one… congratulations to Green Timber Technology - Business of the Year at the Western NSW Business Awards👏🌟

Presented by our major sponsor 123 Tix, this award recognises the very best in regional business across Western NSW, and GTT has truly stood out tonight!

With multiple wins and a clear vision for the future, they’re transforming construction through innovation, sustainability and scale.

An incredible achievement and a standout night! Well done to Pete Morrison and the entire GTT team! 🙌✨

15/05/2026

🎉 Congratulations to Skillset - winners of the Excellence in Large Business Award at the Western NSW Business Awards💼👏

Supported by Colton Computer Technologies, this marks another big win for the team tonight! 🙌

With a strong footprint across NSW, Skillset continues to deliver impact through employment, education and training while investing in people and future growth.

Congratulations to Narelle and the team! ✨

Paul Toole MP Bathurst Business Chamber

15/05/2026

🎉 Congratulations to Dubbo City Toyota - winners of the Excellence in Medium Business Award at the Western NSW Business Awards 🚗👏

A standout performer across Western NSW, this Dubbo-owned dealership continues to deliver at the highest level.

While the team couldn’t be with us tonight, it’s a fantastic achievement worth celebrating - congratulations to everyone at Dubbo City Toyota🙌

Dugald Saunders MP Dubbo Business Chamber

15/05/2026

🎉 Congratulations to MRT Fabrication - winners of the Excellence in Small Business Award at the Western NSW Business Awards 🔧👏

Supported by SCA, this award celebrates small businesses making a big impact - and MRT is doing just that.

With strong growth and specialised capabilities, they’re delivering high-value work right here in Orange.

Well deserved - congratulations to the team! 🙌

15/05/2026

🎉 Congratulations to Small Batch Brewery and Hop Farm - winners of the Excellence in Micro Business Award at the Western NSW Business Awards 👏

Combining paddock-to-pint brewing with agritourism, this family-run business continues to grow while delivering a standout local experience.

This award recognises a business with 5 employees and under that has effectively driven growth.

Anton & Amanda couldn’t be with us tonight, but we’re raising a glass to you - congratulations! 🍺✨

Dugald Saunders MP Business Mudgee

15/05/2026

🎉 Congratulations to Active Living OT - winners of the Outstanding New Business Award at the Western NSW Business Awards👏✨

Supported by Ayme Staffing, this award recognises a start-up that has effectively driven growth and is able to demonstrate potential to achieve future success.

Founded by Erica Armbrust, Active Living OT is improving access to therapy through a mobile service model - reaching homes, schools and workplaces across the region. Congratulations! 💙

Paul Toole MP Experience Oberon Business & Tourism