TBWC Townsville Business Women Awards

The Townsville Business Women’s Awards celebrate the outstanding talent, innovation, and leadership of women in business across our region.

Hosted biannually by the Townsville Business Women’s Circle (TBWC), these awards highlight the incredible contributions women make to their industries and communities.

Nominate Someone Now

Nominations Close 26th May 2025

Award Categories:

• Wilson / Ryan / Grose Business Woman of the Year
• Emerging Business Woman of the Year
• Keyes & Co Corporate Business Woman of the Year
• Townsville Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery Emerging Corporate Business Woman of the Year
• Community-Minded Business Woman of the Year

How It Works

1. Nominate: Anyone can nominate a deserving woman in business, ensuring they meet the relevant criteria for that category. Self nominations are encouraged!
2. Notification: Nominees are informed of their nomination and the reason behind it.
3. Acceptance & Application: Nominees must accept their nomination (if nominated by someone else) and complete the full application by 8th August 2025.
4. Shortlisting: Judges review applications and announce finalists.
5. Finalist Interviews: Finalists meet with the judges to discuss their application.
6. Awards Night: Winners are revealed at the prestigious event, which will be held on Friday, 10 October 2025.

Eligibility Criteria:

WRG BUSINESS WOMAN OF THE YEAR
The wilson/ryan/grose Lawyers Business Woman of the Year award is open to female residents of North Queensland from Ingham to Home Hill and West to Charters Towers.

You are not required to be a member of the TBWC to be eligible for this award.

Your eligibility can be determined from the following criteria:

• You must have operated the business for a minimum of 5 years in June 2025.
• You must have a business with a registered ABN.
• You must own at least 50% of the business.
• You do not have employees or directors on the judging panel.
• You must not have a current bankruptcy order or filed for bankruptcy in the past 5 years.
• You must not be a party to any court proceedings (either current or within the past 24 months) that relate to alleged breaches by you and/or your business of any state or federal law (either criminal or civil) or allegations of breach of contract, breach of duty, negligence, dishonesty, misappropriation, fraud, undue influence or unconscionable conduct. (NB – If you are or have and feel that such proceedings should not preclude you from applying you must fully disclose details of such proceedings and provide detailed submissions on why the proceedings should not preclude you from applying.)
• You are not an employee/director of a sponsor for the nominated category.

EMERGING BUSINESS WOMAN OF THE YEAR
The Emerging Business Woman of the Year award is open to female residents of North Queensland from Ingham to Home Hill and West to Charters Towers.

You are not required to be a member of the TBWC to be eligible for this award.

Your eligibility can be determined from the following criteria.

• You must have operated the business for a minimum of 2 years in June 2025.
• You must have a business with a registered ABN.
• You must own at least 50% of the business.
• You do not have employees or directors on the judging panel.
• You must not have a current bankruptcy order or filed for bankruptcy in the past 5 years.
• You must not be a party to any court proceedings (either current or within the past 24 months) that relate to alleged breaches by you and/or your business of any state or federal law (either criminal or civil) or allegations of breach of contract, breach of duty, negligence, dishonesty, misappropriation, fraud, undue influence or unconscionable conduct.  (NB – If you are or have and feel that such proceedings should not preclude you from applying you must fully disclose details of such proceedings and provide detailed submissions on why the proceedings should not preclude you from applying.)
• You are not an employee/director of a sponsor for the nominated category

KEYES & CO CORPORATE BUSINESS WOMAN OF THE YEAR
The Keyes & Co Property Corporate Business Woman of the Year award is open to female residents of North Queensland from Ingham to Home Hill and West to Charters Towers.

You are not required to be a member of the TBWC to be eligible for this award.

Your eligibility can be determined from the following criteria.

• You must have worked in a management role and in the business for a minimum of 2 years in June 2025
• You must be an employee of a business with a registered ABN.
• You do not have employees or directors on the judging panel.
• You must not have a current bankruptcy order or filed for bankruptcy in the past 5 years.
• You must not be a party to any court proceedings (either current or within the past 24 months) that relate to alleged breaches by you and/or your business of any state or federal law (either criminal or civil) or allegations of breach of contract, breach of duty, negligence, dishonesty, misappropriation, fraud, undue influence or unconscionable conduct. (NB – If you are or have and feel that such proceedings should not preclude you from applying you must fully disclose details of such proceedings and provide detailed submissions on why the proceedings should not preclude you from applying.)
• You are not an employee/director of a sponsor for the nominated category.

TOWNSVILLE ORAL AND MAXILLOFACIAL SURGERY EMERGING CORPORATE BUSINESS WOMAN OF THE YEAR
The Townsville Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery Emerging Corporate Business Woman of the Year award is open to female residents of North Queensland from Ingham to Home Hill and West to Charters Towers.

You are not required to be a member of the TBWC to be eligible for this award.

Your eligibility can be determined from the following criteria.

• You must be under 30 years of age and have worked in the business for a minimum of 2 years in June 2025
• You must be an employee of a business with a registered ABN.
• You cannot have employees or directors who are on the judging panel.
• You must not have a current bankruptcy order or filed for bankruptcy in the past 5 years.
• You must not be a party to any court proceedings (either current or within the past 24 months) that relate to alleged breaches by you and/or your business of any state or federal law (either criminal or civil) or allegations of breach of contract, breach of duty, negligence, dishonesty, misappropriation, fraud, undue influence or unconscionable conduct. (NB – If you are or have and feel that such proceedings should not preclude you from applying you must fully disclose details of such proceedings and provide detailed submissions on why the proceedings should not preclude you from applying.)
• You are not an employee/director of a sponsor for the nominated category.

COMMUNITY MINDED BUSINESS WOMAN OF THE YEAR
The Community Minded Business Woman of the Year award is open to female residents of North Queensland from Ingham to Home Hill and West to Charters Towers.

You are not required to be a member of the TBWC to be eligible for this award.

Your eligibility can be determined from the following criteria: –

• You offer your skills and time to help shape, impact, motivate, lead and or mentor for the betterment of others.
• You work with a not for profit, volunteer or engage in other community activities.
• You have made an impact to benefit others be that through fundraising, raising awareness, provision of experience and skills.
• You do not have employees or directors on the judging panel.
• You must not have a current bankruptcy order or filed for bankruptcy in the past 5 years.
• You must not be a party to any court proceedings (either current or within the past 24 months) that relate to alleged breaches by you and/or your business of any state or federal law (either criminal or civil) or allegations of breach of contract, breach of duty, negligence, dishonesty, misappropriation, fraud, undue influence or unconscionable conduct. (NB – If you are or have and feel that such proceedings should not preclude you from applying you must fully disclose details of such proceedings and provide detailed submissions on why the proceedings should not preclude you from applying.)
• You are not an employee/director of a sponsor for the nominated category.

Sponsorship Opportunities

Show your support for the incredible women shaping Townsville’s business landscape by becoming a sponsor of the Townsville Business Women’s Awards.

Award Category Sponsorships Available – Gain exclusive brand recognition by sponsoring one of the prestigious award categories, Emerging Business Woman of the Year and Community-Minded Business Woman of the Year.

Additional Partnership Opportunities – From Naming Rights sponsorships to tailored entertainment packages, there are multiple ways to showcase your commitment to empowering women in business.

Sponsorship provides valuable exposure, networking opportunities, and alignment with one of Townsville’s most respected business events.

For more information on sponsorship packages, contact awards@tbwc.com.au.

2023 Award Winners

Wilson / Ryan / Grose Lawyers Business Woman of the Year
Jessica Young – Young Allied Health
Jessica founded Young Allied Health in 2014, originally as Young Speech Pathology. Her vision for a multidisciplinary children’s therapy practice has flourished, now with a diverse team and a strong values-driven approach. As owner and director, Jessica oversees business operations, manages a clinical caseload, and drives continuous growth and innovation.

Findex Emerging Business Woman of the Year
Jillian Joyce – PRIDE Human Performance
Jillian is the visionary behind PRIDE Performance, a thriving athletic development enterprise in North Queensland. Leading a diverse team and supporting over 900 athletes and clients, she champions excellence, accountability, and a culture of continuous growth.

Keyes & Co Corporate Business Woman of the Year
Karlea Wootton – Bank of Queensland Castletown, Branch Manager
Karlea previously led the family-owned Bank of Queensland Castletown, a business that has served Townsville for two decades. Passionate about community impact, she and her team provide exceptional financial services, building lasting relationships with their clients.

Townsville Earthmoving Community-Minded Business Woman of the Year
Jennifer Haines – Ranchlands Equestrian Center
Jennifer is a passionate advocate for equine therapy, hosting the Riding for the Disabled (RDA) program on her property. She empowers troubled teens, veterans, and individuals with PTSD through Equine-Assisted Learning, offering hope and healing through her deep connection with horses.