5 August 2025

Entrepreneur smashing it in male-dominated industry secures hat trick at Griffith business awards

| By Oliver Jacques
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two women at award podium

Shantell Gannon receives her award from Griffith Women in Business president Jacinda Violi. Photo: Tiffany Quarisa.

An entrepreneur who moved from Wagga to Griffith to set up an auto smash repair workshop in Griffith with her husband has secured a hat trick of gongs at the annual Griffith Business Chamber awards.

Shantell Gannon was named Businesswoman of the Year and also took out the awards for Outstanding New Business and Local Outstanding Customer Service Winner – Automotive Business with her husband Brenton at the gala event held at the Piccolo Family Farm on Saturday (2 August).

The couple moved to town in December 2023, where they set up Griffith Panel and Paint on Willandra Avenue.

“We’re in a very male-dominated industry and try and promote women to work here,” Ms Gannon said.

“We have two female spray painters, women working in the office and every time we advertise a job, we encourage girls to apply.

“The girls in the workshop are great; they usually tell the guys what to do.”

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The 35-year-old is originally from Tumut, while Brenton is from Griffith. The couple lived in Wagga for 13 years before making the move to set up their own enterprise in town.

“I really like Griffith; I find it friendlier here,” she said.

“It’s nice working with my husband every day; we work very well as a team.

“I do a lot of the admin and payroll, estimates for quotes and go and help them out the back when needed.

“As a new business, it means a lot to have so much support both locally and within Griffith.”

Her solo award was sponsored by Griffith Women in Business, a community group formed to connect, support and inspire local women.

Ms Gannon encourages young women to take the plunge and become their own boss.

“Always follow your dream and don’t let anyone stop you from doing what you do,” she said.

“Don’t let being a female stop you from making it in a male-dominated industry.”

A previous winner of the businesswoman of the year award, nutrition expert Cassandra Irvin took out the Excellence in Micro Business prize on the weekend.

couple dressed up

Cassandra Irvin and husband Shannon on the awards night. Photo: Oliver Jacques.

“This achievement wouldn’t have been possible without the unwavering support of my incredible clients, my family, and the fantastic community around me,” Ms Irvin said.

Peeches Coffee Lounge, run by 18-year-old Ben Ellevsen, took the Best Taste Award Winners – Best Coffee award, while Il Corso Restaurant was judged to have the best pizza, Guiseppe’s Restaurant and Bar the top pasta and Calabria Family Wines the number one winery in the same category.

The Griffith Business Chamber said the awards night was a success, with 220 guests celebrating the achievements and success of our local businesses. The chamber thanked Griffith City Council and all the sponsors for their part in making it happen.

FULL LIST OF GRIFFITH BUSINESS CHAMBER AWARD WINNERS

Outstanding New Business – Griffith Panel & Paint

Excellence in Micro Business – Cassandra Irvin Functional Health

Excellence in Small Business – Riverina Skips

Excellence in Large Business – Multiquip Poultry

Outstanding Community Organisation – The Pioneers Lodge and Hanwood Football Club

Business Woman of the Year – Shantell Gannon from Griffith Panel and Paint

Griffith Business of the Year Award – Multiquip Poultry.

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Local Outstanding Customer Service Winner in the following categories:

Ag Services – Riverina Skips
Automotive – Griffith Panel & Paint
Business Services – My Lending Specialist
Construction and Trades – Chad’s Property Maintenance
Employment and Training – Time 2 Tutor
Hair or Beauty – Gorgeous by Nature
Health and Fitness – Haus of Vitality Griffith
Hospitality – Cafe 2sixty2
Retail – Cupid & Beau
Real Estate – Soul Property Agents.

Best Taste Award Winners for the following categories

Best Coffee – Peeches Coffee Lounge
Best Pizza – Il Corso Cafe
Best Pasta – Giuseppes Restaurant & Bar
Best Winery – Calabria Family Wines.

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