Whyalla Business and Tourism

23/10/2026

⏳The days are counting down folks. Grab a ticket to one of Whyalla's best annual events... 🏆🥇🍾 Go to the link below...
https://flowersbyalicia.com.au/product/2026-mine-spec-industries-whyalla-business-and-tourism-awards-dinner/

21/10/2026

2026 WHYALLA BUSINESS & TOURISM ANNUAL AWARDS NIGHT ✨

Celebrating Excellence, Innovation & Community Spirit in Whyalla.

Whyalla Business & Tourism is proud to announce the finalists for the 2026 Mine Spec Industries Whyalla Business & Tourism Annual Awards Night.

This prestigious evening recognises the outstanding businesses, employers, apprentices, trainees and community organisations that contribute to making Whyalla a great place to live, work, visit and do business.

From local businesses creating employment and opportunities to community organisations bringing people together, these awards celebrate the dedication, resilience and achievements of those who continue to make a positive difference in our city.

We are delighted to congratulate the following finalists

2026 AWARD FINALISTS

CONTRIBUTION TO TOURISM

Sponsored by Westland Hotel Motel

Whyalla Foreshore Parkrun
Whyalla Pageant
Whyalla Show

EMPLOYER OF THE YEAR

Sponsored by Signarama

Alligator Energy
Aurizon
Eyre Trading

NEW BUSINESS OF THE YEAR

Sponsored by Alligator Energy

Draft and Drift
Invision Windows and Doors
The Oasis

APPRENTICE OF THE YEAR

Sponsored by OneSteel Manufacturing

Lukas Heaysman
Massimiliano (Max) Scatena
Oscar Hart

SCHOOL BASED APPRENTICE OR TRAINEE OF THE YEAR

Sponsored by Tilt Renewables

Chad Kruger
Joyisha Ward
Matilda Travers

TRAINEE OF THE YEAR

Sponsored by Golden Orb Web

Dale French
Jaikara Stainer
Summa Hurst

BUSINESS OF THE YEAR – MONTHLY WINNERS

Sponsored by Mine Spec Industries

Congratulations to our outstanding Business of the Month winners, who will be recognised as part of the Business of the Year awards.

Aquest
Beauty by Aleesha
Elders Insurance Whyalla
Exclusive Bridal Hire
Invision Windows and Doors
The Oasis
Tonz a Toys
WestCoast Supplies
Whyalla Accounting
Whyalla Travel and Cruise
Workforce Extensions Whyalla

SPECIAL AWARD PRESENTATIONS

The prestigious Niven Boyd Award and Icon Awards will be individually presented on the night.

These special presentations recognise exceptional achievements, dedication and contributions within our community.

EVENT DETAILS 🍷

Date: Friday, 30 October 2026

Time: 6.00pm arrival for a 6.30pm start

Venue: Westland Convention Room, McDouall Stuart Avenue, Whyalla

Tickets: $155 per person, including GST

Ticket bookings are essential by Friday, 23 October 2026and available to purchase below 👇

https://flowersbyalicia.com.au/product/2026-mine-spec-industries-whyalla-business-and-tourism-awards-dinner/

Dress Code - Cocktail/Business Formal

A NIGHT TO CELEBRATE WHYALLA 🎉

The Annual Awards Night is more than just an awards ceremony. It is an opportunity for our business and wider community to come together, celebrate success, acknowledge hard work and recognise the people and organisations helping shape Whyalla’s future.

We extend our sincere appreciation to Mine Spec Industries, our naming rights sponsor, along with all category sponsors and supporters who make this important event possible.

To every finalist, congratulations! Being named a finalist is an achievement in itself and recognition of your commitment, hard work and contribution to our community.

We encourage local businesses, colleagues, families and community members to join us for a memorable evening celebrating the very best of Whyalla.

Let’s come together, support our finalists and celebrate the achievements of our local business and wider community.

We look forward to seeing you there!

Whyalla Business & Tourism

Supporting Local Business. Celebrating Local Success. Building a Stronger Whyalla.

17/10/2026

PROGRAM DROP!

The full agenda for the 2026 Club Level Up Conference has landed! 👇

Join us for a FREE day of expert insights, practical workshops and networking designed to help your club grow stronger.

📅 Sunday 18 October
📍 Westland Hotel Motel
🎟️ Free, but registrations are essential

Secure your spot today 👉 https://whycc.au/4yfS9BF

27/09/2026

Congratulations to the September 2026 Business of the Month; Aquest

Firstly, although WB&T are proud to announce Aquest as this September’ business of the month, we’re also just as excited to say they are coming up to twenty years of business. That’s twenty years of service delivery to Whyalla and surrounds and twenty years of providing stability for their employees and giving young people a future through apprenticeships. Main stalwart of Aquest is Managing Director Darren Hage who we were introduced to as we arrived and immediately, we felt how proud he is of his team and in true Whyalla style adds that family vibe to his working environment. Everyone in our visit to Aquest were polite, friendly, and engaging to know they were part of a business to be celebrated.

Aquest provide electrical, air conditioning, and refrigeration services to domestic, commercial, and industrial industries. Some of their services include:
• Sales and Energy Saving Solutions
• Project Management
• Fault finding and Diagnostics
• Inspection, Testing, and Installation
• CCTV and Process Monitoring
• Communications, Data, and Telecommunications
In fact, too many to list in this story but to add to their skill set you’ll be safe knowing that Aquest are ISO accredited which backs their commitment to quality end products and labour providers.
Aquest staff has approximately forty personnel with up to six of those employed as apprentices.

Darren and Aquest are everything Whyalla and everything about Whyalla. They understand the rigours of the Whyalla industrial environment and adapt when required. To explain a little more about how they fit in the Whyalla community I quote from their website, ‘Beyond our business operations, we are actively involved in community initiatives and local events. Giving back to the community that has been instrumental in our growth is a core part of our mission. We are committed to continuing this legacy of support and involvement for many years to come’.
Congratulations Team Aquest, a true Icon of Whyalla Business.

Please remember, shop local, shop Whyalla…

Aquest
23 Shiel Street, Whyalla Playford SA 5600
Ph # (08) 8644 2244
Email [email protected]
Website https://aquest.com.au/
https://www.facebook.com/aquestelectrical

23/09/2026

22/09/2026

18/09/2026

🏆It's that time of year folks. Whyalla Business & Tourism along with major sponsor Mine Spec Industries are happy announce the date for this year's Annual Awards Dinner. 🍾🥂
Tickets are only available via the link below. It's going to be great to see you there... 😀
https://flowersbyalicia.com.au/.../2026-mine-spec.../

15/09/2026

Do you know an exceptional Apprentice, Trainee, or School Based Apprentice or Trainee? Well if you do, we want to hear from you!
Please see the attached for further information and applications can be entered via the link.
The winners will be announced at this years Annual Awards Dinner.
https://www.wbat.org.au/employee-employer-awards/

13/09/2026

💥Members Spotlight💥

This week we welcome:
✨ KUCHEL MAINTENANCE

LOCAL SKILLS, QUALITY WORK & A BUSINESS BUILT FROM THE GROUND UP

This week we’re proud to shine the spotlight on Kuchel Maintenance, a locally owned and operated Whyalla business led by Dylan Kuchel.

There’s something pretty special about watching a local tradesperson back themselves, build a business and then start creating opportunities for the next generation.

Dylan is a fully qualified plasterer, painter and renderer, providing professional services across Whyalla and surrounding areas for all customers.

Whether it’s fixing up those annoying defects around the home, repairing damaged walls and ceilings, freshening up an older property or completing work on a brand new project, Kuchel Maintenance is about getting in, getting the job done properly and leaving a quality finish.

SERVICES INCLUDE:
- Interior and exterior painting
- Plastering and wall repairs
- Rendering
- Wall and ceiling lining
- Repairing cracks, holes and damaged plaster
- Fixing defects and imperfections
- General property maintenance
- Residential maintenance and repairs
- Renovation and improvement work
- New construction and finishing work
- Preparing and refreshing tired walls and surfaces
- General repairs and maintenance around homes and businesses

Dylan's story is also a great example of where determination and hard work can lead.

After completing his apprenticeship in Wall and Ceiling Lining, Dylan spent time working at OneSteel in Whyalla while continuing to take on trade work outside of his normal working hours.

Eventually, he decided it was time to back himself. In October 2025, Dylan launched Kuchel Maintenance, and the demand for his services quickly grew.

Only eight months after starting the business, Dylan took another big step and employed his first apprentice, who is undertaking a dual trade apprenticeship in Wall and Ceiling Lining and Painting and Decorating.

For Dylan, employing an apprentice isn't simply about growing Kuchel Maintenance. It's about passing on his knowledge and giving another young tradesperson the opportunity to build a career.

That's what supporting local business is all about. When you choose a local Whyalla business like Kuchel Maintenance, you're not just getting a job completed. You're supporting a local family, helping a local business grow and helping create employment and training opportunities right here in our community.

From the small jobs you've been putting off to larger renovations, commercial maintenance and new projects, Kuchel Maintenance is ready to help bring your property back to life.

A cracked wall can be repaired.

A tired room can be transformed.

An unfinished project can become something you're proud of.

And sometimes all it takes is having the right local tradesperson to make
it happen.

KUCHEL MAINTENANCE

Dylan Kuchel - 0412 655 123

Email: [email protected]

Servicing Whyalla and surrounding areas

Whyalla Business & Tourism is proud to support and promote another local business investing its skills, time and future into our community.

Support local. Employ local. Build local.

If you’d like to become a WBAT member, or simply nominate a business of the month award simply visit:

www.wbat.org.au

“Representing the best interest of business & tourism”