The awards are all about taking stock of what went well and what went not-so-well in the past, and setting a course of continuous improvement for the future. 

A chamber address by president Mike Kelly was followed by the awarding of the Employee of the Year, which went to Leah West.

These local businesses were then deservedly acknowledged as winners for each category:

Clubs: Muswellbrook RSL.

Community groups/not-for-profit: Integrated Living and Red Door Kitchen.

Financial services: Hunter Mutual.

Health and beauty services: La Bella Beauty.

Hospitality and tourism: Hollydene Estate and Two Rivers.

New Business: The Remington.

Professional Services: Raine and Horne Real Estate.

Retail: Muswellbrook Post Office and Home Timber and Hardware.

Trades and industry: MV Solar and JMG.

Best presented business award: Hollydene Estate.

Chamber award: Evolve Hair Spa and Upper Hunter Computers.