Australia Post is looking for Local Business Heroes to share in $285,000 in prizes

Small businesses across the country are being encouraged to put their hands up to be counted as Local Business Heroes, with Australia Post setting aside a prize pool worth $285,000 to reward the winners.

Entries are now open for the 2022 Local Business Heroes program, which will see 57 small businesses chosen to be promoted through the Australia Post network.

Each ‘Hero’ will receive a $5000 prize package, which includes being featured on poster and flyers at their local post office, tailored sending offers and access to business coaching from Australia Post.

This is the second time Australia Post has run the campaign, which aims to recognise small businesses that have unique and valued connections to their local communities.

It’s a timely initiative given the efforts of small business owners to support their communities both during the pandemic and in flood-affected areas in recent weeks.

Catriona Noble, general manager of retail at Australia Post, said the program is also designed to recognise the relationship between small businesses and their local post offices.

“We have more than 4,300 Post Offices across Australia with over 2,500 of these in regional areas, and our Post Office team members help local businesses connect with their customers and access essential services like banking, every day,” Noble said in a statement. 

These post offices can nominate small businesses in their area, which is how Simone Hubble was recognised in the 2021 Local Business Heroes.

Hubble runs Happy Hubble Australia, a homegrown therapy and sensory toy store for children with autism, which she says has been able to grow because of the Australia Post program.

“Their support enabled us to build greater awareness of our brand and support more families of kids with autism and ADHD,” she said.  

Nominations for the 2022 Local Business Heroes program close on March 25. More information is available from post offices or on the Australia Post website.