Celebrating Victorian small businesses
Small businesses are the backbone of Victoria’s economy, powering our local communities, creating jobs and shaping the character of our neighbourhoods, towns and suburbs. From bustling retail strips to regional main streets and industrial parks, Victorian small businesses show extraordinary creativity, passion and resilience every day.
The Victorian Small Business Awards 2026 celebrate the state’s outstanding small businesses and the people who run them.
The awards also acknowledge the councils, chambers of commerce, trader groups, industry associations and other local organisations that champion small businesses.
Award categories
Four Ministerial awards were presented at a ceremony on 25 May 2026:
- Lifetime Achievement Award, celebrating long‑standing contribution and enduring business success.
- Multicultural Business Award, recognising the ambition, achievements and successes of businesses that strengthen Victoria’s social fabric and economic diversity.
- Women in Business Award, celebrating leadership, innovation and impact by women business owners.
- Youth in Business Award, recognising the drive and achievements of young entrepreneurs.
Award winners
1. Lifetime Achievement Award: Apostle Whey Cheese
Julian and Dianne Benson founded Apostle Whey Cheese on their Cooriemungle dairy farm in 2005, after 30 years as dairy farmers. The artisan cheese business has since diversified to produce milk, ice cream and gin.
Each year, thousands of people make the 15-minute drive from the Twelve Apostles to the farm gate. Visitors have a unique opportunity to enjoy a boutique paddock-to-plate food tourism experience.
Apostle Whey Cheese products are sold in the farm gate cafe and shop, where they promote local artisans, further supporting the region.
With so many years of success in business, Julian and Dianne have much to be proud of. Their business journey demonstrates the benefits that come from endurance and innovation, and they are an exceptional Victorian business.
2. Multicultural Business Award: Rakis on Collins
Rakis on Collins is a creative, innovative and highly successful hair salon that has operated for more than 40 years in Melbourne’s CBD and won over 100 industry awards in this time.
The salon’s founder Stavros Tavrou is committed to excellence. Born overseas and ascending to some of Australia’s most elite catwalks and hair artistry stages, Stavros has made a name for himself through his sheer passion for his trade and hard work.
Stavros also employs, mentors and educates the next generation of leading talent in the hair industry, sharing his knowledge and experience.
Starting in business is the first step – staying in business is a journey – and bringing culture is undeniably an asset, as clearly demonstrated by Rakis on Collins.
3. Women in Business Award: NLA Logistics
NLA Logistics is a 100 per cent Aboriginal woman-owned trucking and plant hire business in Victoria that is dedicated to quality service and inclusion.
The business began with one truck in 2016, with owner Nicole Appleton driving the truck herself. Since then, Nicole has expanded the business to two locations, over 15 pieces of equipment and a fleet of more than 150 independent contractors.
Nicole is committed to creating economic and employment opportunities for women and First Peoples including through the Path to Business Ownership program.
4. Youth in Business Award: Teeth On Wheels
Brothers Joseph and Rami Zeid established Teeth on Wheels in 2015 to provide accessible, high-quality dental care for school children. They wanted each child’s experience with a dentist to be positive and stress-free.
Since then the innovative business has grown to be a leading dental health supplier offering services through a fleet of mobile dental clinics by a team of highly skilled and compassionate dental professionals.
Teeth on Wheels has partnered with over 250 schools, early learning centres and childcare services and treated more than 80,000 children.
The business is an inspiration and a testament to what young people can achieve in business in Victoria.