But when the company later picked up the major award of the night, Best Business for 2019, Mr Oliver returned to the stage and had to acknowledge that they were definitely not flying under the radar now.

Real Pet Food Company bought the CME facility in 2017, which had formerly been the Supercoat factory.

As Mr Oliver attributed their win to the passion and commitment of the whole team, it brought to a close an awards night that was overdue.

The awards, which are a celebration of our business community, had not taken place for three years since they were last presented in 2016. A shortage of entries saw last year's event cancelled.

But they returned bigger and better this year with a record number of nominations, and the Inverell RSM auditorium was packed for the evening.

It was the culmination of a successful year for the Inverell Chamber of Commerce & Industry, with president Nicky Lavender telling the audience they had achieved a lot in the past 12 months.

She said the chamber's membership base had increased by more than 25 per cent, while they had launched a new website and monthly newsletter, as well as holding successful promotions including the Festival of Christmas, the Make It Rain campaign and re-established the town-wide sale.

READ MORE:

The guest speaker for the night, Sebastian Terry spoke about making choices to achieve your goals, taking care of your own wellbeing first and then helping others.

Among the businesses honoured was The Premier Store, which collected the Outstanding Achievement award for its 150 years in the local community.

Inverell Sports Council presented two awards on the night, with Inverell Hawks stalwart Garry Lavender receiving an award for Services to Sport, and veteran cricket player, umpire and administrator Eric Higgins named Sportsman of the Year.

Mr Higgins has moved to Coffs Harbour, but returned to be at Saturday night's awards.

Excellence in Business Sole Trader

Winner: Bounce Fitness

Highly commended: Dixie Lane and Positive Body Studio

Sponsored by Arlington Gasweld

Excellence in Business 2-5 Employees

Winner: Blair Athol

Highly commended: Bakers Barn and Clover & Co Home

Sponsored by NBN Television

Excellence in Business 6-14 Employees

Winner: McMahon Structural

Highly commended: Inverell 4WD and Campbell & Freebairn Chemist

Sponsored by Bindaree Beef

Excellence in Business 15+ Employees

Winner: Real Pet Food Inverell

Runners-up: Bindaree Beef and McLean Care

Highly commended: Sporties Inverell

Sponsored by BEST Employment

Excellence in Social Enterprise

Winner: BEST Community Connections

Highly commended: Sapphire Academy of Sport and Meals on Wheels

Sponsored by Inverell District Family Services

Employer of Choice

Winner: Campbell & Freebairn

Highly commended: The Bridge Coffee Lounge

Sponsored by McLean Care

Excellence in Customer Service

Winner: Gowrie Vet Clinic

Highly commended: Let's Meat

Sponsored by The Inverell Times

Start Up Super Star

Winner: Dermadesigns Beauty & Laser Clinic

Sponsored by Boss Engineering

Excellence in Innovation

Winner: McLean Care

Sponsored by Danthonia Designs

Young Emerging Leader

Winner: Nathan Hughes (Sporties)

Highly commended: Chelsea Gobbert (Lashes by Chelsea)

Sponsored by Inverell Shire Council

Business Leader

Winner: Todd Newton (Bindaree Beef)

Highly commended: Jason Nichols (McLachlan's Smash Repairs), Kristy Partridge (KCL), Tanya Fox (Brighter Access) & Rebecca Brennan (Meals on Wheels)

Sponsored by Inverell RSM Club

People's Choice

Winner: Inskip Air & Electric

Sponsored by 1188 2NZ/Gem FM

Community Champion Award

Winner: Regional Australia Bank

Sponsored by Inverell Chamber of Commerce & Industry

Outstanding Achievement

Winner: The Premier Store

Sponsored by Inverell Chamber of Commerce & Industry

Overall Best Inverell Business 2019

Winner: Real Pet Food Inverell

Sponsored by BEST Employment