The Rainbow on the Plains Festival is a celebration of inclusions and diversity held annual in Hay. The Pride festival committee won the 2024 Hay Business Award for local business champion, and organisers Jade Auldist, Will Miller and Brett Boulton were on hand to collect it.

Amy Young is a bit of a mystery. Happy, smiling, and unflappably cheerful, one would wonder if she ever gets mad? I think the true, honest answer to that is no.

Everyone who comes across Amy would be struck by that sincere nature. She recently, and deservedly won the Apprentice/Trainee of the Year at the 2024 Hay Business Excellence Awards.

Macker’s Meats were named 2024 Hay Business of the Year, with Mullin’s Building awarded Small Business of the Year.

Read on for the full list of winners.

Jason McCartney, who became a national hero in the wake of the Bali Bombings in 2002, is guest speaker at this year’s Hay Business Excellence Awards. The gala dinner event will be held on Friday, March 1 at Hay Services Club.

Jason McCartney epitomises the Australian fighting spirit and his story is one of humanity overcoming adversity.

The young Australian with an exceptional talent to play Australian Rules Football, was thrust into the hearts and minds of all Australians through his courageous fight-back from horrible burns he suffered in Bali.

The Hay Inc Rural Education Program is a three-week course run in the Hay district, over a five-month period generally aligning with farming seasons. It provides hands-on training modules covering all the necessary skills of stockmanship in sheep, cattle and farming skills.

Hay Inc committee recently won Ambassador Award at the 2023 Hay business Excellence Awards.

Kurt Woods is one of the best examples of how far love for one’s job can lead. He won the Business Champion Award at the 2023 Hay Business Excellence Awards.

Wayne Gardam’s Hay Veterinary Clinic was crowned 2023 Business of the Year at the gala awards night held on Friday evening.

Full photo gallery

On Friday night Hay Children’s Services were announced Hay’s inaugural Business of the Year from some strong competition.

A total of 57 nominations have been received for the 2022 Hay Business Excellence awards, after nominations closed last Friday.

Former AFL coach and player Kevin Sheedy AO has been secured as guest speaker for the Hay Business Awards next year.