The NSW Indigenous Chamber of Commerce's premier annual event, The Summit, has returned for its fifth year, reaffirming its place as the state's leading platform for advancing Indigenous business and economic empowerment.

With nearly 2,000 delegates congregating over two days on Wonnarua Country in NSW's Hunter Valley, the Summit celebrated businesses pioneering Indigenous economic development with its 2025 award presentation on its final night.

"These two days are about bringing all mob together, Indigenous and non Indigenous, all those that want a better Australia, that want to see the rights of Aboriginal people take their place once more through economic development," said Deb Barwick, Gamilaraay woman and CEO and founder of NSWICC.

As the peak body for Indigenous business in New South Wales, NSWICC aims to close the gap in actual procurement spend for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander owned businesses - with the Summit created to foster engagement between both sides of the supply chain.

It has since become an essential platform for networking, business opportunities, and shared learning, uniting Indigenous and non-Indigenous businesses across the state and encouraging future Indigenous-led economic growth.

"Your business and organisations did not emerge from ambition alone. They were born from the strength and resilience of your ancestors, people who walked this Country for tens of thousands of years - who understood what it means to build for a lifetime, how to work with Country rather than against it, and how to think, not just for today but for future generations," said Greg Green, Director at NSWICC and Owner of DCL Engineering, at the event's opening address.

"Think of the journey of each of your enterprises. Perhaps it began at the dinner table. This could have been from a single idea, or you could have been out on Country, and now it stands as a force for cultural strength, economic power, and community well-being."

NSWICC presented its awards to Indigenous high achievers on the Summit's final day, emcee'd by Uncle Ernie Dingo, Yamatji actor, presenter & Aboriginal advocate. The awards honoured individuals and businesses that exemplified bridging the divide between Indigenous businesses and the greater Australian economy.

Award winners included:

Government Partner of the Year Award:

EnergyCo (Winner)

Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure (Runner-up)

Industry Partner of the Year Award:

AGL Energy

Local Government Award:

Tamworth Regional Council

Emerging Indigenous Enterprise of the Year:

ICC Corrosion Control

Indigenous Business of the Year Award - Regional:

Wamarra

Indigenous Business of the Year Award - Metro:

NGNU

Sustainability & Environmental Impact Award:

Biodiversity Australia (Winner)

Awabakal Seasonal Calendar (Runner-up)

Woman of the Year Award:

Leticia Forbes, Yirra Miya (Winner)

Basilia McGraw, Stockyard Development (Runner-up)

Indigenous Employee of the Year Award:

Nathan Weldon Bowen, UGL (Winner)

Laura Henry, Yirra Miya (Runner-up)

Wuu-rri Vending Award Outstanding Individual Machine Performance:

University of Sydney Business School

Wuu-rri Vending Award Highest Contribution Host Organisation:

Acciona

Major Award - Outstanding Individual Contribution to Indigenous Advocacy:

Luke Mcllroy Ranga, TIKA EQ

The 2025 Summit has left a lasting impression on the Indigenous business sector as a vital acknowledgement of Indigenous entrepreneurship and success, with award winners a testament to this.

With the event growing in number each year, the future of Indigenous economic empowerment and independence will continue to flourish.

The Indigenous Business Review is an official media partner for the NSWICC The Summit 2025.

Congratulations to all award winners.