The Illawarra Women in Business (IWIB) organization celebrated a significant double milestone on Friday, April 24, marking both the 18th annual IWIB Business Women's Awards Day and the organization's 20th anniversary. The event, held at The Works Corrimal, recognized outstanding achievements among women in business across the region.
Major Sponsorship and Awards
The Works Corrimal served as the major sponsor of the IWIB Awards Day for the third consecutive year and has already committed to sponsoring the 2027 awards. The event highlighted the success and contributions of women entrepreneurs and professionals in various fields.
Business Woman of the Year
Orthopaedic surgeon and founder of Joint Vision Orthopaedic Group, Dr Meghan Dares, received the prestigious IWIB Business Woman of the Year award. Dr Dares also won the IWIB Innovative Business Woman award, and her organization was awarded Highly Commended in the IWIB Best Business category.
Dr Dares expressed her gratitude, stating, "Winning an award is an honour, but the win reflects a model of care that is changing how orthopaedic and musculoskeletal treatment is delivered and experienced by patients." She emphasized that innovation in healthcare often involves improving existing systems to better serve patients. "Innovation in healthcare is not always about doing something flashy or complicated. Sometimes it's about looking at the system in front of you and asking, 'how could this be better for patients?' That question has shaped Joint Vision from the beginning." Dr Dares explained that Joint Vision was built to transform care by integrating orthopaedic specialists, physiotherapy, imaging, rehabilitation, and research into a coordinated model, providing patients with clearer pathways, faster decision-making, and more connected care.
Young Business Woman of the Year
Orlane Mortimer from Wollongong Crane Trucks was named IWIB Young Business Woman of the Year. The award was sponsored by The Works Corrimal.
Home Based Business Award
The IWIB Home Based Business 2026 award, sponsored by Better Business Accounting, was presented to FLW Connect. Founder and owner Bianca Hunt, a proud Gumbaynggirr woman with over 20 years of experience, also won the IWIB Best New Business award in 2024. Her business specializes in supporting Indigenous and non-Indigenous organizations and communities through crisis support, suicide prevention, cultural safety, engagement, and consultation. FLW Connect has revolutionized how organizations navigate cultural complexities, partnering with government, education, and corporate entities to create safer, more inclusive communities through tailored training and strategic consultancy. Ms Hunt also serves as a trusted mediator, facilitating dialogue and conflict resolution for organizations facing cultural challenges. She will participate in a panel at the next IWIB Networking Lunch event on Friday, June 12, alongside Wollongong entrepreneur Steph Pase and IWIB Best Small Business winner Orlane Mortimer. IWIB director Glenda Papac noted, "This will certainly be a motivating, inspiring and dynamic panel."
Celebrating Diversity in Business
The 18th annual IWIB Business Women's Awards Day celebrated the success and achievements of women across a broad range of industries. Ms Papac remarked, "The awards this year were from a very broad range of businesses, probably more so than in previous years. From a ventriloquist doing wonderful things in her sector to a number of medical-based businesses and with everything else in between, which once again kept the judges busy with the outstanding line-up of finalists." She added that when entering the awards, participants reflect on their past year, current position, and future goals, noting that this year's finalists had clear plans for their businesses' growth.
Complete List of 2026 Award Winners
- IWIB Business Woman of the Year (sponsor: The Works Corrimal): Winner - Dr Meghan Dares, Joint Vision Orthopaedic Group; Highly Commended - Kylie Moffitt, PhysioHealth Corrimal; Highly Commended - Nikki Aitchison, The Illawarra Hotel
- IWIB Young Business Woman of the Year (sponsor: The Works Corrimal): Winner - Orlane Mortimer, Wollongong Crane Trucks
- IWIB Best Business (sponsor: White Lady Funerals): Winner - Active Property Conveyancing; Highly Commended - Joint Vision Orthopaedic Group; Highly Commended - Olive Care Disability Services
- IWIB Best Small Business (sponsor: Wallawa Traffic Group): Winner - Wollongong Crane Trucks; Highly Commended - Malia the Label
- IWIB Best New Business (sponsor: Access Law Group): Winner - The Industry Performing Arts Studio; Highly Commended - 360 Cleaning and Maintenance
- IWIB Best Home Based Business (sponsor: Better Business Accounting): Winner - FLW Connect
- IWIB Customer Focus Award (sponsor: Commonwealth Business Banking): Winner - Always Education
- IWIB Innovative Business Woman (sponsor: Lancaster Law & Mediation): Winner - Dr Meghan Dares, Joint Vision Orthopaedic Group
- IWIB Outstanding Not for Profit or Charity (sponsor: Foye Legal): Winner - Women Illawarra
- IWIB Outstanding Executive Employee (sponsor: Fiducian Illawarra): Winner - Brodie Meney, Symbio Wildlife Park
- IWIB Outstanding Employee (sponsor: Tiny Tins): Winner - Tash Hedges, Wallawa Traffic Group
- IWIB Outstanding Commitment to the Community (sponsor: ANZ Business Banking): Winner - Nardia Guillaumier, NEG Photography
- IWIB Champion Networker (sponsor: Destination Wollongong): Winner - Mariana Zurak, Relativity Films
For more information about Illawarra Women in Business, upcoming networking events, or to view a full list of IWIB Business Women's Awards winners dating back to 2009, visit the website at iwib.com.au.
