Celebrating business, sport and community

By Christine McKee

Jun 18, 2025

Robert ‘Moose’ Muir (centre) with Free Press managing director, Jared Loughnan and CRW Regional Business Chamber executive officer, John Crothers at the presentation of the Lifetime Achievement Award.

He’s usually the man behind the stories, but this week, as he inches close to retirement, Robert “Moose’ Muir is the story.

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Free Press journalist, Moose, as just about everyone knows him, was handed the inaugural Lifetime Achievement Award at Saturday night’s 2025 CRW Business Awards, after 31 years writing the stories that bind a region.

The award was presented for the first time this year to honour an individual who has made a long-term transformative impact on the community.

It was presented by Free Press managing director, Jared Loughnan who said Muir had the resilience of a Corowa Roo, the tenacity of a Bulldog, in many ways was a calm and likable character, but was extremely territorial, just like a Moose.

“His dedication to local news reporting has enriched, informed and positively influenced the communities he has served,” Mr Loughnan said.

“He’s covered floods, droughts, pandemics, premierships, major milestones and events, council amalgamations, new bridges, big developments, the list goes on.”

Saturday night’s award ceremony at Club Corowa, the first since 2021, brought the Corowa, Rutherglen and Wahgunyah communities together to celebrate the region’s outstanding achievements in business, sport, and community leadership.

Here ye! The Town Crier gets the evening underway.

More than 150 people filled the room with energy and expectation.

The night opened with a warm welcome from executive officer of the CRW Regional Business Chamber, John Crothers and a moving Q&A from Club Corowa ceo, Peter Norris who shared his story as the son of one of Australia’s most wanted criminals, as recorded in his memoir, The Bank Robber’s Boy.

Dylan Forge and Tom Summerfield provided entertainment along with the Corowa Dance Company who got the crowd onto their feet for a dance floor celebration.

But the night was about the businesses, the sporting groups and the not-for-profit organisations that make up the economic and social fabric of the Corowa, Rutherglen and Wahgunyah communities.

All the winners from Saturday night’s 15 categories, representing the best of the best.

This year’s awards were the first to formally combine recognition across all three fields in one unified event.

“The night was a true reflection of the strength, heart and resilience of our region,” Mr Crothers said.

“It was about more than just business excellence, it was about recognising the volunteers, leaders, and community contributors who make our towns thrive.

“As one person said, ‘it wasn’t just an awards night—it was a celebration of who we are as a region and where we’re going’.”

The event was proudly sponsored by Rivalea, Club Corowa, Cofield Wines, Events & Wedding Planning by Nelci, Corowa Jewellery and more than 20 generous local businesses who contributed over 30 items to the silent auction, which raised more than $6,000.