Collision repair did not walk away empty handed at Victoria’s big gala night for leading automotive businesses.
The VACC’2025 Automotive Industry Awards aim to celebrate the very best in the Victorian and Tasmanian automotive industry and some standout businesses shone on the evening.
Kate Presnell Bodyworks, after being named as finalist in 2024, walked away with the top honour for a small business in Tasmania.
In Victoria, best large business for regional areas was Complete Body Craft in Rutherglen.
There was also a long list of outstanding apprentices the awards seek to honour the next generation as much as established excellence.
The body repair sector also demonstrated its commitment to developing future talent through apprenticeship programs.
FT Guy Bodyworks Pty Ltd in Launceston was recognised with an Apprentice Development Award for the state.
Commitment
Victorian Automotive Chamber of Commerce (VACC) CEO Peter Jones says the awards demonstrate member and apprentice commitment to quality and customer service and particularly specialised skills and expertise of body repair businesses.
“It is a huge accolade to be named the best in Victoria and Tasmania. These winners go above and beyond and have proved themselves more than worthy of these titles,” Jones says.
“Body repair specialists play a crucial role in our industry, combining technical expertise with artistic skill to restore vehicles to their original condition.”
“The body repair sector’s investment in apprentice development, as shown by FT Guy Bodyworks, ensures these specialised skills are passed on to the next generation of automotive repair professionals,”
About the awards
An independent judge evaluated entries based on business management, workplace practices, customer service and environmental impacts. To ensure only the finest of VACC and TACC’s 5,000 members would be crowned, finalists were also randomly audited to ensure transparency and equity.
Categories crowned at the 2025 Automotive Industry Awards include Best Small and Best Large Business, Employer of the Year, Employee of the Year, and Apprentice of the Year.
Additionally, Outstanding First, Second and Third Year Apprentice, Outstanding Trainee, and the VACC and TACC Progressive Excellence Awards, were announced, recognising the next generation of the automotive industry.
An independent judge evaluated entries based on business management, workplace practices, customer service and environmental impacts. To ensure only the finest of VACC and TACC’s 5,000 members would be crowned, finalists were also randomly audited to ensure transparency and equity.
See the full list of winners here;