Illawarra Women in Business (IWIB) marked a double milestone on Friday, April 24, celebrating both the 18th annual IWIB Business Women's Awards Day and the organisation's 20th anniversary. The Works Corrimal was the major sponsor for the third year and is now looking forward to sponsoring the 2027 Awards.
Orthopaedic surgeon and founder of Joint Vision Orthopaedic Group, Dr Meghan Dares, took home the prestigious IWIB Business Woman of the Year award. Dr Dares also won the IWIB Innovative Business Woman award and Joint Vision Orthopaedic Group was awarded Highly Commended in the IWIB Best Business category. She said the win reflects a model of care that is changing how orthopaedic and musculoskeletal treatment is delivered and experienced by patients.
The IWIB Home Based Business 2026 award, sponsored by Better Business Accounting, was presented to FLW Connect. Founder and owner Bianca Hunt, a proud Gumbaynggirr woman, also won the IWIB Best New Business in 2024. Her business revolutionises how organisations navigate and integrate cultural complexities into their strategies.
Ms Hunt will sit on the panel at the next IWIB Networking Lunch event on Friday, June 12, with Wollongong entrepreneur Steph Pase and IWIB Best Small Business winner Orlane Mortimer from Wollongong Crane Trucks. IWIB director Glenda Papac said the panel will be motivating, inspiring and dynamic.
The 18th annual IWIB Business Women's Awards Day celebrated the success and achievements of all women in business, with awards presented across 13 categories. Ms Papac noted the awards this year came from a very broad range of businesses, including a ventriloquist and several medical-based businesses, keeping the judges busy with an outstanding line-up of finalists.
