Noonans Showcase Jewellers owner Cath Noonan with the trophy for ‘Business of the Decade’.
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“I was just mind-blown.”
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Noonans Showcase Jewellers in Cobram has been crowned Business of the Decade at the 2026 Australian Small Business Champion Awards, with owner Cath Noonan saying the win came as a complete surprise.
“We seriously weren’t expecting it,” she said.
The winners were announced at a ‘National Gala Presentation Evening’ held at The Star Sydney on Saturday, May 2.
Cath said the gala was “glamorous” with a full red carpet laid out.
“It was very flash ...you felt super special when you walked in,” she said.
The night was hosted by Nine presenter and journalist Peter Overton and attended by more than 1000 businesspeople.
“The people I met were truly amazing,” Cath said.
Cath said they were presented with a trophy and certificate at the gala.
“I slept with the trophy,” she said.
“I just couldn't believe it.”
Steve Loe with Cath and Lily Noonan at the 2026 Australian Small Business Champion Awards.
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Cath’s daughter Lily attended the event and delivered what Cath described as a “beautiful” speech after they accepted the award.
“Lily got up and spoke on behalf of the children of working parents who run successful small businesses and said, ‘Your kids are thankful,’” Cath said.
“Lily said she and her brother have lived such a privileged life because of the hard work we’ve put into building a successful business.”
Cath said another business owner later messaged them to say she and her husband “needed to hear” Lily’s speech because their children were still young.
“It was so empowering to them,” she said.
Now in its 28th year, the Australian Small Business Champion Awards recognises outstanding small businesses from across Australia in industries including retail, hospitality, services and manufacturing.
More than 8500 small business owners from metropolitan, regional and rural areas across Australia entered this year’s awards.
Following a rigorous judging process, 1585 finalists were selected across 109 categories.
Australian Small Business Champion Awards founder and Precedent Productions managing director Steve Loe said the awards recognised “hard-working” and “passionate” small business owners who supported their local communities.
“Running a small business today demands unwavering commitment, strong leadership, sharp business acumen, creativity, people skills, vision and social awareness,” Mr Loe said.
“All qualities our independent judging panel identified as key reasons for selecting Noonans Showcase Jewellers.”
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