Murraylands Business Awards winners revealed for 2026

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Eleven local businesses have been recognised among the most popular in the region at the 2026 Murraylands Business Awards.

A dozen awards were presented at the Bridgeport Hotel on Friday night, following a public campaign in which almost 3300 votes were cast.

Murray Bridge greengrocer Farm Fresh Market was a winner twice over: in best retailer for the second year in a row, and in the coveted best customer service category.

Another four Murray Bridge businesses also went back-to-back in their categories.

Almost 150 people attended the awards ceremony, presented by Murray Bridge News with support from Drakes and Golden North, broadcast partners 5MU and Power FM, the hotel and category sponsors.

Scroll down to see who won what.

• More photos: Murraylands Business Awards

Best customer service

As we mentioned, this category – open to all businesses large and small, and in which the most votes were cast – was won by Farm Fresh Market.

A proud Carlo DeMichele strode up to the stage to accept the award, saying that old-fashioned service was what his business had been all about for the past 30 years.

“If there’s a lady coming in, she’s got a young child, she needs a hand, that’s what we’re talking about,” he said.

“The kids who come out of high school, we teach them the right way, I hope.”

Ahrns Electrical’s Tristan Ahrns, who presented the award, said customer service was one of the hardest but most rewarding parts of running a small business.

“It’s the early calls, the late night messages, holding your tongue when you’d rather not; it’s going the extra mile when you’re already running on empty; it’s remembering that the person in front of you is having their day, not yours,” he said.

“You can’t fake it, you can’t outsource it, you can’t short-cut it.”

Best Coffee

Connolly Wilson Conveyancers’ Mel Wilson and Trish Connolly presented this award, which went to Little Local Co for the second year in a row.

The coffee shop’s owners were unable to attend the gala dinner, but Ms Wilson promised to deliver their certificate when she picked up her usual order on Monday morning.

“Our morning coffee run is not just a caffeine hit – it’s an opportunity for connection, and a vital stopgap between the chaos of the morning school run and the demands of the work day,” she said.

“Our coffee spots have become an integral part of our social fabric, and we really are spoilt for choice in the Murraylands.”

The conveyancers also gave an insight into the hectic state of the local property market: their company had processed more than 570 transactions in the past year, they said, or about $30 million worth of real estate every month.

Best Community Organisation

This award, one of two new categories to be included on the night, proved to be one of the most popular with voters, too – more than 2500 votes were cast.

The winner was Murray Bridge Community Centre.

Centre chairperson Peri Strathearn put aside his MC duties for a moment to accept the award from Bowhill Engineering’s Jodie Hawkes.

He shouted out centre managers and “absolute legends” Sarah Smith and Jade Porter, as well as all the centre’s other staff members and volunteers.

From its food relief service to its arts programs and community garden, he said, the organisation was a powerhouse.

“Strong communities are built when people, businesses and organisations come together to support one another and give each other opportunities to succeed,” Ms Hawkes said.

“Tonight’s finalists represent the very best of community spirit, and every single one of them should be proud of the impact that they’re making.”

Best Big Business or Chain

Another new award, presented by Golden North’s Rick Kozikowski, was introduced as the result of a rule change which removed non-locally-owned businesses from all other categories except customer service.

Instead, the big dogs battled it out in this category, and Drakes came out on top.

Murray Bridge store manager Randall Meyers accepted the inaugural award.

He credited his people, and the community for supporting the supermarket.

Golden North’s factory at Laura had closed on the day of the awards, Mr Kozikowski said, ahead of its move to Murray Bridge; around 70 staff would start work in the Murraylands in the next couple of months.

Best Gym or Fitness Business

A rematch of the same five finalists from last year produced a different result in this category, as Murray Bridge’s Anytime Fitness took out the win.

Rhianna Leyland accepted the award, the crowd serenading her with Happy Birthday as she made her way to the podium.

“This award isn’t just about equipment or workouts; it’s about community, it’s about the members who show up every day, support one another and make our gym feel like a second home,” she said.

She thanked gym owners Kayla Fergusson and Bryce Jaensch, and congratulated all the other nominees: “It’s an honour to be recognised alongside you all.”

Anna Howard made the presentation on behalf of Murray Mallee Aged Care Group, which recently made its own investment in public health in the form of its newly opened Warner Health and Wellbeing Centre.

Best Retailer

It was Farm Fresh Market again in this category, their second win in a row.

Mr DeMichele was grateful to receive his certificate from Drakes’ Mr Meyers.

“We need community … to survive,” Mr DeMichele said.

“The community makes us strive to be bigger and better.”

He also thanked the staff he and his wife Tracey employed, and congratulated everyone in the room: “You’re all winners.”

Best Pub, Club or Restaurant

The 1924 Riverfront Steakhouse in Murray Bridge was the winner again in this category, capping an exciting week in which its owners’ plans for a second venue, the Foggy Lantern, were revealed.

Peter O’Riley was there to accept the award from Spry Holdings’ David Harding.

He thanked the community for getting behind his business.

Mr Harding congratulated the winners and finalists across all categories.

“Success doesn’t come by accident,” he said.

“It comes through dedication, hard work, leadership and commitment.

“The people recognised through these awards embody those qualities and deserve to be celebrated.”

Best Takeaway

Jedz Pizzeria went back to back, in the end, after having won the category by just six votes last year.

Owner Jed Mortensen was busy feeding product into his oven on the night, but Murray Bridge News dropped off his award on Saturday.

Brett Taylor, general manager of 5MU and Power FM, credited all the finalists as he presented the award.

Takeaway businesses had a special place in our communities, he said: they worked incredibly hard to be there when we needed them, late at night, early in the morning or over the weekend.

“Walking through the door with your family, finding that the regular order that you have has been remembered – those things might seem small at the time, but they’re a big part of being in our community,” he said.

Best Hair or Beauty Business

In a category which featured some long-standing businesses, including sponsor Raptcha’u, it was Lux Nails and Beauty in Murray Bridge which won the popular vote.

Bailee Ha was as shocked and delighted as anyone as she accepted the award from Linda Kyritsis.

“OMG,” she said.

“Thank you so much to all my clients, everyone who supported us along the way … and thank you to my team, as well.”

Even without scoring a win, Ms Kyritsis noted that the awards had benefited her business.

People had popped into the salon all day to have their hair done, or to top up on bobby pins and emergency touch-up supplies, ahead of the gala dinner: “It was basically Murray Bridge Fashion Week backstage in the salon for a few hours.”

Best Health Care or Support

The night’s closest category, decided by just 16 votes, went the way of Murray Mallee Aged Care Group for the second year in a row.

Tracy Ross from Resthaven presented the award to CEO Anna Howard, who thanked the community and her staff.

“We’re only as good as the people we employ, and I have the best team,” she said.

“(This) makes me very proud.”

Ms Ross congratulated the winner: “an organisation that consistently demonstrates compassion, excellence and a genuine commitment to improving the lives of the people they support”.

Best Tradies

A new winner was crowned in this category, presented by Kerri and Russell Annear from Avoca Dell Caravan Park: Monteith-based Doecke Electrical.

The Doecke family was absent from the awards, having just welcomed the arrival of a new baby, but Karl’s mum Trish Connolly accepted it on their behalf.

Ms Annear took the opportunity to thank the business community for its sponsorship of the caravan park’s mini golf course, which had resulted in almost $29,000 worth of improvements being made over the past two years.

There had been six finalists in this category, as two were tied after the nomination phase.

Best New Business

Kick-starting what will hopefully be a successful enterprise for years to come was Murray Bridge’s Coffee and Flowers, the winner of the best new business award.

Owner Allison Thomas thanked everyone for their support.

“This birthed itself, it was a little bit of an accident, and through the support of other beautiful women it has developed into something amazing,” she said, fighting back tears.

Mayor Wayne Thorley presented the award on behalf of the Rural City of Murray Bridge.

He thanked all business operators for their contributions to the region.

• More photos: Murraylands Business Awards