Northern NSW Football scored a hat-trick and top gun Matt Hall soared to new heights as the best of the best were announced at this year’s Lake Macquarie Business Excellence Awards.

Hall, a former RAAF fighter pilot and Red Bull Air Race World Champion, took out the top Business of the Year category at Friday night’s ceremony at Belmont 16s, recognising the contribution his Pelican-based Matt Hall Racing has made to the local tourism economy. The company also won the Outstanding Visitor Experience award.

Lake Macquarie Mayor Adam Shultz, who presented the top gong, said Hall’s company exemplified the kind of innovation, bravery and contribution to the community that had transformed the city’s business industry over the past 20 years.

“Matt Hall Racing not only showcases our amazing city to countless tourists from outside the Hunter Region and overseas,” Mayor Adam said.

“It also demonstrates what can be achieved when you put down business roots here in Lake Macquarie and dare to dream big.”

Despite all the thrills of piloting aerobatic aircraft, Hall said he got the biggest buzz from supporting local jobs and nurturing the careers of his staff.

“In the end, that’s what business is about,” he said.

“Yes you live your own life, but you’ve got to make sure that everyone relying on you is able to succeed as well.”

Northern NSW Football was the evening’s other big winner, taking home the Outstanding Community Organisation and Excellence in Sustainability categories. Meanwhile, the organisation’s CEO Peter Haynes was named Outstanding Business Leader for his work growing football participation and inclusion, and for his concerted push to improve the sport’s local infrastructure.

Based at Speers Point, NNSWF is responsible for the delivery of football across an area of 188,000 km2 – larger than England, Wales and Northern Ireland combined – and boasts almost 100,000 participants.

Mayor Adam said this year’s list of winners reflected the changing face of business in Lake Macquarie.

“The 100-plus nominations this year were a mix of new and returning applicants and really demonstrated how we’re seeing success across the business spectrum in our city,” he said.

“That’s everything from football administration to five-star dining, and dental services to design studios.”

Dantia CEO Tim Browne said the small and micro business award categories were among the most hotly contested this year.

“Small business is big business in our city,” he said.

“The LMBEA really showcase the quality of businesses Lake Macquarie has to offer – not only the winners but also finalists.”

“The business community really is putting Lake Macquarie on the map as a terrific place to do business and be successful.”

IMAGE | Matt Hall accepts the award for Business of the Year