More than 350 Central Coast business and community leaders came together on Friday, September 12, when Business NSW Central Coast presented a combined gala for the 2025 Regional Business Awards and the Visitor Economy Awards at Mingara Recreation Club.
The big winner on the night was 4id Solutions of Wyong, which took out the Excellence in International Business category and went on to be named Business of the Year.
What began as a small factory started by Bruce and Kathy Hegan in Morisset 20 years ago has grown into an internationally respected company, set to open a factory in the US on October 1.
4id Solutions manufactures smart labels, tags and wearables using RFID, Bluetooth, and sensor technologies.
“Kathy came from a finance background and I was a farmer,” Bruce Hegan said.
“I’m sure that’s what gave me the inspiration to think about things differently.”
The couple now spearheads a “very focused team”, with their latest project developing a label which can be scanned from 30m away on a phone.
“The thing I’m most proud of is that most of our staff live within 15km of the factory,” Hegan said.
“They have learnt skills that are unique and now Wyong staff will be training staff in the US.
“Winning Central Coast Business of the Year is an incredible honour, but more importantly, it’s a recognition of our people.
“Our team has built this company from the ground up, and this award is their chance to celebrate and shine.
“We stand out because we’ve always invested in innovation while staying grounded in our values.
“Our people are the heart of the business, and our culture of collaboration and reliability has allowed us to deliver world-class traceability and compliance solutions from right here on the Central Coast.
“This award gives us momentum as we expand globally while continuing to strengthen our commitment to the Central Coast.
“We’re proud to contribute to local jobs, skills, and innovation while taking Australian technology initially to Dallas Texas.”
Business NSW Central Coast Regional Director Scott Goold said this year’s winners “exemplify the innovation, resilience and community spirit that power the Central Coast economy”.
“Bringing our business and visitor economy communities together in one celebration reflects how closely linked these sectors are to jobs, growth and our region’s identity,” he said.
The evening was emceed by Star 104.5’s Gina and Matty and featured an Acknowledgement of Country by Tim Selwyn from Girri Girra Aboriginal Experiences.
Goold and Central Coast Mayor Lawrie McKinna addressed the audience, as did Professor Michael Bowyer of the University of Newcastle, the event’s Gold Partner.
Other Business award winners are: Outstanding Employee, Bill Collett, Australian Reptile Park; Excellence in Micro Business, Iris Lodge Alpacas; Excellence in Diversity and Inclusion, Allcare Nursing & Community Services; Excellence in Innovation, Signarama Tuggerah; Outstanding Young Business Leader, Naomi Bennett, Evolve Psychology Services; Outstanding Business Leader 20 Employees & Under, Michael Seton, Seton Family Lawyers; Outstanding Business Leader 21 Employees and Over, Paul Barnett, Mingara Leisure Group; Outstanding Community Organisation, Central Coast Community Women’s Health Centre; Employer of Choice 20 Employees and Under, Seton Family Lawyers; Employer of Choice 21 Employees and Over, Allcare Nursing & Community Services; Excellence in Sustainability, Signarama Tuggerah; Excellence in Small Business, Refreshing Pool Services & Installations; and Excellence in Large Business Australian Reptile Park.
Winners in the Visitor Economy Awards are: Outstanding Food Experience, Angel Sussurri; Outstanding Beverage Experience, Firescreek Botanical Winery; Everyone’s Welcome Award (Accessible Tourism), Mollies Farm; Excellence in Luxury Escapes, Crowne Plaza Terrigal Pacific; Outstanding Unique Accommodation Experience, Yarramalong Valley Horse Farmstay; Destination Wedding Venue of the Year, Glenworth Valley Weddings; Outstanding Festival & Event, Naturellement; Outstanding Business Event Venue, Crowne Plaza Terrigal Pacific; Excellence in Sustainable Tourism, Iris Lodge Alpacas; Outstanding Outdoor Experience, Broken Bay Pearl Farm; Outstanding Family Holiday Destination, Blue Lagoon Beach Resort; and Outstanding Visitor Economy Collaboration, Central Coast Comicon.
Eligible category winners will progress to the NSW State Business Awards, to take place in Sydney on Wednesday, October 29.
Terry Collins
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