BREAKING: Vivability Limited has just been awarded Bathurst’s Most Outstanding Business of the Year at the 2025 Carillon Business Awards, marking a significant achievement for the non-profit organization dedicated to supporting individuals with disabilities. The ceremony took place on the evening of October 10, 2025, where Vivability also secured the award for Excellence in Innovation.
In an impressive showing, CEO Nicholas Packham received the accolade for Outstanding Business Leader (36+ years), highlighting his impactful leadership since the organization’s inception in 2016. Additionally, Vivability’s Café Viva earned two People’s Choice awards: Bathurst’s Favourite Business and People’s Choice Award for Hospitality, a title the café has now held for three consecutive years.
This recognition underscores Vivability’s growing influence in the community. The organization has made remarkable strides, including the launch of Café Viva in 2022, which was designed to provide employment opportunities for its participants. This year alone, the café has donated an astounding 10,000 free meals to those in need and plans to expand its services by transforming an old ambulance station into a new café and cocktail bar by 2026.
Despite initial plans for a mid-2025 opening, unforeseen challenges have delayed the project, which aims to employ individuals with disabilities in a supportive environment. Vivability also collaborates with a statewide charity organization to raise funds and awareness for families impacted by Huntington’s disease.
CEO Nicholas Packham has been a driving force behind these initiatives, drawing on his extensive experience in the disability sector. In his words, “It’s a rewarding career, and I think that some people are suited to working with people, and if you want to do that, the disability sphere is pretty rewarding.” His leadership has not gone unnoticed; in 2024, he was elected to the Bathurst Regional Council, further amplifying his commitment to the community.
The enthusiastic response at the awards night demonstrated the community’s strong support for Vivability. Although Packham could not attend the event, executive officer Jaclyn Underwood accepted the awards on behalf of the team, thanking the Bathurst community for its unwavering backing.
This latest recognition is a testament to Vivability’s ongoing efforts to create meaningful employment opportunities and enhance the quality of life for individuals with disabilities in Bathurst. As the organization looks to the future, the community eagerly anticipates the expansion of Café Viva and the positive impact it will continue to have.
Stay tuned for more updates on Vivability’s initiatives and continue to support local businesses that are making a difference.
