Big celebrations at this year's Business Networking event

More than 120 people, representing businesses from across the City of Norwood Payneham & St Peters, attended the End of Year Networking event, held on Wednesday 19 November at Outdoors on Parade

Guests enjoyed wine and finger food while taking advantage of the opportunity to network, share stories about the year that’s been and discuss opportunities for future collaboration.

“These bi-annual business networking events are a great way for the Council to engage directly with local businesses in an informal setting,” says Mayor Robert Bria.

“Elected Members and staff appreciate the opportunity to celebrate the achievements of local businesses and hear their success stories.

“These events are also a great way to recognise their milestones through the presentation of the Mayor’s Commendation Awards.”

Businesses celebrated with a Mayor’s Commendation Award were:

• Barbara Jayne Dance Centre (50 years)
• Big Star CD’s & Records (25 years)
• Theatre Bugs (25 years)
• Wealth Transfer (25 years)
• Zhav International (25 years)
• 1645 Roasters (10 years)
• Amadio Wines (10 years)
• Blackeby’s Sweets (10 years)
• Essential Chinese Massage (10 years)

In his remarks to guests Mayor Bria identified a number of highlights for 2025 for the local business community, including:

• City of Norwood Payneham & St Peters reaching almost $2 billion in consumer spending for the first time ever (2024–2025)
• Hosting the eigth Raising the Bar event with 923 patrons at 10 bars, hotels and pubs
• Successfully delivering of the eighth Eastside Business Awards with 9,265 votes cast
• For 16 consecutive months since August 2024, we were the number 1 Council in Australia for the lowest risk of business failure
• 2025 AFL Gather Round saw $4.6 spent on hospitality in the City, including $1.2m from interstate visitors
• 153 business owners participating in the Eastern Business Advisory initiative, including 44 from the City of Norwood Payneham & St Peters
• More than 200 business owners attending the bi-annual Business Networking Forums
• Construction commencing on the upgrade of George Street, which is on track for completion in March 2026 and will deliver a safer, greener and more vibrant precinct.

Mayor Bria says he looks forward to the Council working closely with business owners in 2026 as it continues its progress towards the City’s next Business and Economic Development Strategy, which will replace the current strategy which expires in 2026.

To find out more about how the City of Norwood Payneham & St Peters supports local business, visit: Business & Economy