newy.com.au – ATUNE Health Centres has been named Lake Macquarie’s 2026 Business of the Year, with the locally grown healthcare organisation and one of its employees collecting three awards at a ceremony in Belmont.
ATUNE received the top honour at the Lake Macquarie Business Excellence Awards at Belmont 16s on Friday night. It also won Excellence in Large Business, while operations manager Maria McIntyre was named Outstanding Employee.
Established in 2006, ATUNE provides medical, allied health, psychological and complementary health services under one roof. Lake Macquarie Mayor Adam Shultz said its integrated approach made healthcare more accessible and coordinated for Hunter residents.
“ATUNE’s focus on accessible healthcare, health education, specialist services and local jobs makes a real difference for thousands of residents each year,” he said.
Healthcare providers featured prominently among the winners as the sector continues to expand across Lake Macquarie. Health care and social assistance is now the city’s largest employment sector and one of its fastest-growing, accounting for almost 20 per cent of total employment.
A Growing Understanding Speech Pathology won Excellence in Medium Business, while Lauren Haskins, from the organisation, was named Outstanding Business Leader. Dental Folk’s Quyen Nguyen received the Outstanding Young Business Leader award, and Survivor’s R Us Incorporated was recognised as the Outstanding Community Organisation.
Belmont Hospital’s Aussie Aunties program won the People’s Choice Award. The program connects international medical graduates with hospital volunteers who help them navigate Australian culture and everyday life.
Awaba Mountain Bike Park, managed largely by Hunter Mountain Bike Association volunteers, received the Outstanding Visitor Experience award. One of the oldest mountain bike parks of its type in NSW, it attracts more than 20,000 riders of varying ages and abilities each year.
A judging panel selected the finalists and winners from more than 160 entries. Mayor Shultz said they reflected the breadth of a city with more than 15,000 businesses.
“Lake Macquarie is home to more than 15,000 businesses operating across a remarkable range of industries,” he said.
| Category | Winner |
|---|---|
| Outstanding Employee | Maria McIntyre – ATUNE Health Centres |
| Outstanding Young Business Leader | Quyen Nguyen – Dental Folk |
| Outstanding Business Leader | Lauren Haskins – A Growing Understanding Speech Pathology |
| Employer of Choice | Spectrum Comms |
| Excellence in Innovation | Catalina Motel Lake Macquarie |
| Excellence in Sustainability | Glendale City Centre |
| Excellence in Diversity and Inclusion | Flying Colours Education |
| Outstanding Community Organisation | Survivor’s R Us Incorporated |
| Outstanding Visitor Experience | Awaba Mountain Bike Park – Hunter Mountain Bike Association |
| Outstanding New Business | Strata Tech Solutions |
| Excellence in Micro Business (0–5 Employees) | psyborg® |
| Excellence in Small Business (6–20 Employees) | Eyecare Plus Belmont |
| Excellence in Medium Business (21–99 Employees) | A Growing Understanding Speech Pathology |
| Excellence in Large Business (100+ Employees) | ATUNE Health Centres |
| People’s Choice | Aussie Aunties – UHA Belmont Hospital |
| Business of the Year | ATUNE Health Centres |
