About the Awards
On Thursday 22 October 2026, at Rydges South Bank Brisbane, we proudly present the second annual Business Excellence and Impact Awards, an extra-special celebration this year, as Endeavour Foundation marks its 75th year—celebrating the power of inclusion and a legacy of impact for people with disability.
This distinguished event celebrates the power of diversity in the workplace, the strength of business partnerships, and the lasting impact of innovation across our Disability Social Enterprises and Learning and Lifestyle hubs. Together with our corporate partners, we acknowledge the achievements that bring real change to people with disability, their workplaces, and their communities.
Key Dates
Tuesday 7 July 2026: Nominations open and event tickets available
Monday 3 August 2:00pm: Nominations close (extended from 31 July)
Week commencing 17 August: Finalists announced
Thursday 22 October: Award ceremony and luncheon at Rydges South Bank 11.30am-3pm where winners will be announced.
Meet our 2026 Finalists
We are delighted to announce these 24 incredible finalists for our 2026 Business Excellence and Impact Awards. Finalists are listed in alphabetical order.
Results that Shine Award
Sponsored by Support Worker Co.
Finalists
- Geebung Disability Social Enterprise
- Est. 1951 By Endeavour Foundation Café
- Townsville Disability Social Enterprise
- Wacol Disability Social Enterprise
Partnership Excellence Award
Sponsored by Platinum Certification
Finalists
- Next Generation Pet Foods
- Nive Beef Jerky
- Manildra Group
- MooGoo
Charity Champion Award
Sponsored by Auto & General Insurance
Finalists
- Amanda Smyth
- Brazil Family Foundation
- Komatsu Australia
- Rapid Media
Community Leadership Award
Sponsored by McCormacks 4WD
Finalists
- Bundaberg Brewed Drinks
- RESINC Solar & Batteries
- Tradeware
- Transport Field Service
Advocacy in Action Award
Finalists
- Alex and Sam's Enduring Friendship
- Greg Bonyhady’s leadership, advocacy and community impact
- Jeffery and National Recycling Week
- Local Voice, National Impact: Jenny’s Role Championing Disability Advocacy
Growth Through Engagement Award
Sponsored by The Pampered Paw
Finalists
- Bundaberg Learning & Lifestyle Hub
- Lawnton Learning & Lifestyle Hub
- Nambour Learning & Lifestyle Hub
- Wallace Park Learning & Lifestyle Hub
Silent Auction
Join us in supporting Endeavour Foundation through our Silent Auction, featuring a hand‑picked selection of sought‑after experiences, premium items and unique offerings. Whether you’re bidding on the night or from afar, every bid helps make a meaningful difference in the lives of people with disability.
Can’t attend the Business Awards? You can still be part of the celebration. The Silent Auction is open to everyone, with bidding now open and closing on 22 October, so you can take part from anywhere and support our work.
Meet the Judges
We sincerely thank our volunteer judging panel for generously sharing their time and expertise to help celebrate individuals, teams, and organisations creating meaningful opportunities and impact in our communities.
Ari
Appointed to Endeavour Foundation's Board of Directors in 2024, Ari brings extensive experience as a global economist and non-executive director across health, community services and other complex regulated sectors. Her expertise in governance, financial oversight and organisational transformation, combined with her personal connection to the disability sector, aligns strongly with the Endeavour Foundation Business Excellence and Impact Awards.
Michael
Michael Kennedy is CEO and co-founder of Kennedy’s Timbers, a family-owned business supplying reclaimed and sustainable architectural timbers since 1995. Through a long-standing partnership with Endeavour Foundation, he has helped create meaningful employment opportunities for people with disability, integrating Endeavour team members into timber production for projects across Australia.
Jodie
Chief Executive Officer of the International River Foundation, Jodie has more than 25 years' experience in communications, media and mining, including senior leadership roles with Thiess and Fairfax Media. Her extensive expertise in strategy, innovation and commercial leadership makes her a highly regarded external judge for the Endeavour Foundation Business Excellence and Impact Awards.
Renee
Renee is an Administration and Reporting Assistant at Endeavour Foundation’s Support Centre and has been in that role since January 2025. Renee feels very fortunate to be able to work, and make a positive impact on people’s lives through her work. Renee is looking forward to being part of the judging panel because it will be a new experience for her.
Alicia
Warren
As a long-standing partner and supporter of Endeavour Foundation, smartMonday’s Warren Peppin has a passion for retirement planning and his mantra is, ‘planning and acting is the key to success’. Warren is often seen at Endeavour Foundation’s key locations, hosting information sessions for staff and supported employees.
Partnership Prospectus
Major Event Partner
The Artwork
Artwork by: Tiffany McBroom, Looking Through Colour Fragments, 2024, Made at QArt Studio.
Artwork size: 510mm x 760mm
About the Artist
Tiffany McBroom - Through painting Tiffany creates playful aesthetics, exploring a range of subject matters which include animals, flowers, and abstract colour. She channels her bubbly persona into her art, creating canvases in bright and soft hues which make viewers feel a sense of joy that wafts into the spaces they inhabit.
The inaugural Endeavour Foundation Business Excellence and Impact Awards was one of the most outstanding events I’ve attended in my career... It was fun, engaging, moving, and deeply inspiring.
Kaye, Windsor Group
Thank You to our 2026 Sponsors
The Endeavour Foundation Business Excellence and Impact Awards are brought to you with thanks to the generous support of our sponsors.
Major Event Partner
Award Sponsor
Award Sponsor
Venue Partner
Print Sponsor
Award Sponsor
Champagne Sponsor
Pay it Forward
Tote Sponsor
Award Sponsor
Travel Sponsor
Beverage Sponsor
Award Sponsor
Dessert Sponsor
Beverage Sponsor
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the Endeavour Foundation Business Excellence and Impact Awards?
The Business Excellence and Impact Awards are in their second year; designed to recognise and celebrate the incredible work of our social enterprises, Learning and Lifestyle hubs and community partners. These awards champion inclusion and diversity. We want to recognise all the wonderful businesses we work with at our social enterprise sites, the incredible work of our Learning and Lifestyle hubs as well as businesses that support Endeavour Foundation in other ways such as fundraising.
When and where is the event being held?
The awards ceremony and business luncheon will take place on Thursday 22 October 2026, from 11:30am to 3pm at Rydges Hotel South Bank, Brisbane.
Who can come to the event?
Everyone is welcome. This includes Endeavour Foundation, Community Solutions and BRACE employees, our commercial partners and sponsors, families and carers, people we support and members of the public.
How can I purchase tickets, and what do they cost?
Tickets will be available for purchase from March 2026. Early bird pricing is $175 per person or $1,750 per table of 10. After the early bird period, full-price tickets will be $195 per person or $1,950 per table.
Can I buy a whole table for my team or business?
Absolutely. Tables of 10 can be purchased, making it a great opportunity for teams or groups to attend together and show their support.
What does the ticket include?
Your ticket includes a three-course lunch, a premium drinks package, live auctions and a raffle with fantastic prizes.
Is there a dress code for the event?
Yes, the dress code is business attire.
Who is eligible to be nominated for an award?
All Endeavour Foundation sites (Disability Social Enterprises and Learning and Lifestyle hubs) are eligible to be nominated, with the exception of those under government contracts due to restrictions on financial transactions. In addition, commercial partners, suppliers and sponsors and supporters are eligible and encouraged to participate.
What if I have more than one organisation or site that I want to nominate in the same category?
To ensure fairness and give all participants an equal opportunity, we limit each person to one entry per category. This prevents any single entrant from having an unfair advantage and helps our judges give proper attention to every submission. We also want to encourage a diverse range of entries in each category.
Can businesses nominate themselves?
Yes, businesses are welcome to nominate themselves for an award. Self-nominations are encouraged as a way to highlight their efforts and achievements.
How will the funds raised be used by Endeavour Foundation?
Funds raised through ticket sales, auctions and raffles will support Endeavour Foundation’s unfunded projects. These are programs that provide vital support and create new opportunities for people with disability but do not currently receive external funding.
Contact Us
Got a question about the awards?
Contact us at partnerships@endeavour.com.au
