Supply Nation has announced the winners of the annual Supplier Diversity Awards. Winners were announced at the Gala Awards dinner on 21 August at ICC Sydney on Gadigal land as part of Connect 2025, the largest and longest running national Indigenous business event.

The Awards honour and recognise businesses, government agencies, not-for-profit organisations and individuals making a significant contribution to supplier diversity and excellence in driving a prosperous and vibrant Indigenous business sector.

Connect 2025: Beyond the Horizon, attracted 280 businesses exhibiting at the Indigenous Business Tradeshow with more than 4000 participants travelling from all over Australia and overseas to attend the two-day event.

Supply Nation Chief Executive Officer and proud Awabakal woman Kate Russell said the Supplier Diversity Awards are a way to support and recognise excellence amongst businesses that are committed to diversified procurement policies and the benefits of working with Indigenous businesses.

“Our recently released research report The Sleeping Giant Rises found that Indigenous-owned businesses are generating $42.6 billion in social value for their households, employees and their families, and they create this social value purely by operating as a business, it excludes any funding support or other philanthropic programs that might be out there,” she said.

Social value refers to the positive changes seen through an Indigenous lens of wellbeing. This value includes improved agency and control over life, expanded aspirations, financial security, pride, physical health and mental wellbeing and stronger connections to Community, Culture and Country.

“Indigenous businesses remain resilient, optimistic, and committed to their values, and this is driving growth and success. The Supplier Diversity Awards honour organisations and individuals that are making a positive difference to prosperity and their communities, and that is something worth celebrating,” said Ms Russell.

Supply Nation verified Indigenous businesses and members sponsor each category of the Supplier Diversity Awards, with the Dr Dean Jarrett Award for Outstanding Impact, recognising one individual or business for significant and long-lasting contributions to the sector.

“Supply Nation is pleased to be partnering with Special Broadcasting Service (SBS) as the exclusive Media Partner for Connect 2025. Central to this partnership is National Indigenous Television (NITV), created by, for and about First Nations Australians.”