Matt Hall Racing and Northern NSW Football shine at Lake Macquarie business awards

newy.com.au – Matt Hall Racing and Northern NSW Football were among the top winners at the 2025 Lake Macquarie Business Excellence Awards, held on 8 August at Belmont 16s.

Former RAAF fighter pilot and Red Bull Air Race World Champion Matt Hall claimed the Business of the Year award for the contribution his Pelican-based operation has made to the local tourism economy. Matt Hall Racing also received the Outstanding Visitor Experience award.

Lake Macquarie Mayor Adam Shultz, who presented the top award, said the business reflected the innovation, courage and community commitment shaping the city’s economy over the past two decades. “Matt Hall Racing not only showcases our amazing city to countless tourists from outside the Hunter Region and overseas, it also demonstrates what can be achieved when you put down business roots here in Lake Macquarie and dare to dream big,” he said.

Hall said the greatest reward from his work was supporting local employment and the growth of his staff. “Yes you live your own life, but you’ve got to make sure that everyone relying on you is able to succeed as well,” he said.

Northern NSW Football, based at Speers Point, took home the Outstanding Community Organisation and Excellence in Sustainability awards, while its chief executive Peter Haynes was named Outstanding Business Leader for his role in boosting participation, promoting inclusion and improving local football infrastructure. The organisation oversees the sport across an area of 188,000 square kilometres, with almost 100,000 registered participants.

Mayor Shultz said the more than 100 nominations this year highlighted the breadth of industries achieving success in Lake Macquarie, from sport administration to hospitality, healthcare and design. Dantia chief executive Tim Browne said the small and micro business categories were particularly competitive.

Other winners included 8 at Trinity, which secured the Origin Energy People’s Choice Award for the second consecutive year after attracting over 2500 public votes, and Dynamic Business Technologies, which won the Excellence in Diversity and Inclusion award.

The awards are supported by Dantia, Origin Energy, the Newcastle Herald, University of Newcastle, Ramsay Health Care, Charlestown Square by the GPT Group, Lake Mac Holiday Parks, Hewlett Packard Enterprise and ATUNE Health Centres.