We are thrilled to announce the finalists for the 2026 Automotive Industry Awards — and on behalf of everyone at VACC, we want to say: congratulations to every single one of them.

This year's Victorian finalists represent the very best our industry has to offer. From small independent workshops to major metropolitan operations, from regional Victoria to the suburbs of Melbourne, these are the businesses and individuals who set the standard — for their customers, their teams and their communities. They deserve to be celebrated, and on Saturday 27 June, they will be.

The 2026 Victorian finalists

EMPLOYEE OF THE YEAR - VACC & TACC

• Darren Gawne — The Mower Shop Seymour, Seymour
• Hayley Barber — Ballarat Performance Auto Wreckers, Delacombe
• Jaak Dixon — Mont Eltham Auto Electrics, Briar Hill
• Jacqui O'Sullivan — Traralgon Automotive Group, Traralgon
• Jeremy Coakley — Agpower, Lilydale
• Lisa Rakintzis — Total Collision Repairs, Airport West
• Chloe-Emma Hart — Southern Automotive, Hobart
• Devon Maxwell — Latrobe & Ulverstone Tyres and More, Latrobe

EMPLOYER OF THE YEAR - VACC & TACC

• Always There Automotive, Grovedale
• Auto Tech Malvern, Glen Iris
• Original Engines Co, Kilsyth
• PJ's Discount Tyre Service, Castlemaine
• Cooper Automotive, Mornington
• Jackson Motor Company, Launceston
• Kate Presnell Bodyworks, Invermay

BEST LARGE AUTOMOTIVE BUSINESS — METROPOLITAN

• Patterson Cheney, Dandenong
• Waverley BMW, Glen Waverley
• Western General Bodyworks, Maribyrnong

BEST LARGE AUTOMOTIVE BUSINESS — REGIONAL

• Arkon Auto Electrical & Instruments, Wodonga
• Complete Body Craft, Rutherglen
• Traralgon Automotive Group, Traralgon
• Twin City Truck Centre, West Wodonga

BEST MEDIUM AUTOMOTIVE BUSINESS — METROPOLITAN

• Agpower, Lilydale
• BM Tech, Canterbury
• Garage Apex, Epping
• Melville Body Works, Brunswick West
• Original Engines Co, Kilsyth
• Western Ford, Ravenhall

BEST SMALL AUTOMOTIVE BUSINESS — METROPOLITAN

• Absolute Engine Care, Campbellfield
• Allpoint Automotive, Tullamarine
• Alltune Automotive, Ravenhall
• Auto Tech Canterbury, Canterbury
• Auto Tech Malvern, Glen Iris
• Auto Tech Malvern East, Malvern East
• B.M Techniker, Hoppers Crossing
• Berwick Tyrepower, Berwick
• BM Autowerks, Oakleigh
• Bosch Car Service Ringwood, Ringwood

Recognising the next generation

The 2026 Automotive Industry Awards also celebrate Victoria's future automotive talent. VACC Automotive Apprenticeships will present awards on the night to outstanding apprentices and graduating talent from across the state, including:

• Outstanding 1st Year Apprentice
• Outstanding 2nd Year Apprentice
• Outstanding 3rd Year Apprentice
• Outstanding Trainee
• Progressive Excellence — VACC
• VACC Apprentice Development Award
• President's Award — VACC Apprentice of the Year

These young Victorians are the future of our industry. We look forward to honouring them on the night.

An evening to remember

The 2026 Automotive Industry Awards gala dinner will be held at the magnificent Palladium at Crown Melbourne. Hosted by the much-loved Shane Jacobson, the evening will feature gourmet food and drinks, live music, entertainment and dancing.

This is one of the most anticipated nights on the Victorian automotive calendar, and we would love to see you there.

📅 Date: Saturday 27 June 2026

📍 Venue: Palladium at Crown Melbourne

🎤 Host: Shane Jacobson

🎟️ SECURE YOUR TICKETS NOW: automotiveindustryawards.com.au