Latrobe Health Services Gippsland Business Awards Launched  

The 2025 Gippsland Business Awards officially launched on Tuesday 8 April with the announcement of a new major sponsor – Latrobe Health Services. The official launch of Gippsland’s premier business event attracted supporters and sponsors from the six regional municipalities who gathered to celebrate the 27th year of awards.

Awards Chair, Graeme Sennett, congratulated Latrobe Health Services on becoming the naming rights sponsor.

“Latrobe Health Services is another great Gippsland success story,” Mr Sennett said. “The not-for-profit health insurer was founded in 1950 by power industry workers to provide for the health care needs of residents in the Latrobe Valley. Back then it focused on providing medical services such as hospitals and ambulances. Now it provides hospital and extras coverage for more than 100,000 members Australia-wide.“

Latrobe Health Services Chief Executive Officer, Ian Whitehead, said the organisation was excited to continue its partnership with the awards, initially as the Healthcare and Wellness category sponsor and now as the naming rights sponsor.

“It is important to showcase the amazing businesses throughout the region who continually demonstrate their commitment to be the best that they can,” Mr Whitehead said. “From the small businesses to the large ones with national and international profiles; every single one of you is playing your part to help build a strong Gippsland economy. These regional awards are a wonderful collaboration of business and community, and Latrobe Health Services looks forward to our new partnership.”

Mr Sennett also thanked Federation University, the major sponsor for the last eight years, as well as paying tribute to all the sponsors who made the prestigious event possible. “The awards provide the opportunity to celebrate the determination, innovation and creativity of business and industry across Gippsland,” he added.

“With the continued support of our local councils and corporate sponsors, for 27 years, these awards have been able to acknowledge the incredible achievements of businesspeople from across the region."

This year, two new awards categories have been introduced - Transport and Automotive Services and Microbusiness. In addition, based on the changing business environment, several other categories have been updated. As well as the prestigious Gippsland Business of the Year award, other categories being recognised in 2025 are: Accommodation and Tourism, Hospitality and Food Service, Food and Agribusiness, Retail, Trade and Technical Services, New Business, Manufacturing and Construction, Business and Professional Services, Beauty and Personal Care Services, and Healthcare and Wellness.

Winners will be announced at a gala event on Friday 29 August at Federation University in Churchill. Mr Sennett told those at the breakfast launch that maintaining a strong, successful and highly valued business sector was vital to the growth, innovation and sustainability of the regional community. Nominations are now open for the awards, with entries closing on Friday 23 May. He urged businesses to consider entering the Latrobe Health Services Gippsland Business Awards. “Our finalists and winners gain so much from these awards. They tell us that whether or not they win, they benefit from the recognition that they have achieved a great deal. They meet other like-minded businesses and make meaningful connections. Importantly, it spurs them on to go further!"

Nominations can be submitted on the website – www.gba.org.au. Once a business is nominated, it will receive a unique email link to complete its entry. All entries are completed online.