But it was also her deep commitment to her community and her passion for de-stigmatising mental health that saw Canberra Capital Chemist pharmacist Elise Apolloni named Australia's Telstra Young Business Woman of the Year.

Elise, 29, received the national award in Melbourne on Tuesday night, accompanied by her husband Dean, who is also a pharmacist, with Capital Chemist Southlands in Mawson.

"I'm still in a lot of shock. I'm extremely honoured," she said.

"It's an amazing opportunity to share with the broader community what pharmacists do. The calibre of women involved in the awards was just amazing. I was in awe of them all."

Born and bred in Canberra, Elise began working at Capital Chemist Calwell when she was 14. She continued working in Canberra while she studied at Charles Sturt University in Wagga Wagga, eventually becoming a partner in Capital Chemist Wanniassa in 2013.

She says pharmacists in Australia see 900,000 people a day and she wants every encounter to be meaningful, helping not only to treat health ailments but prevent them.

The young go-getter said she was lucky to work with such an accepting community in Wanniassa.

"They are the ultimate driver for everything we do," she said.

"If we didn't have the community's support for some of the things we like to do, we would have nothing. But they embrace everything."

Elise won fame this year, singing with fellow pharmacist Natasha Jovanoska, about health and posting the songs to the Capital Chemist Wanniassa Facebook page. She wrote the tunes and each performance was recorded in the shop on a mobile phone before being uploaded.

Elise has always taken an innovative approach to the pharmacy and her passion for mental health was only intensified when a 16-year-old colleague at the chemist took her own life in 2015.

"I'm passionate about mental health because I don't think people talk about it enough," she said.

"One in two adults are likely to suffer from a mental health condition at some point in their life, which makes it the most common health issue people are likely to confront. We need to have an open conversation about it.

"In the ACT, one person a week takes their own life and Australia-wide, eight people a day [die by] suicide. That is eight people too many."

Elise continues to raise awareness by volunteering as a phone counsellor for the National Pharmacists' Support Service, as well as becoming an instructor for Mental Health First Aid training.

A former student at Gowrie Primary, Caroline Chisholm High and Erindale College, Elise hoped to use her new status to continue promoting the role of her profession. Her wish is to connect customers with the most passionate and educated pharmacy health experts in Canberra.

"I hope to bring a greater voice to all young business women but also recognise the role pharmacists can play when they are innovative and are a true health hub in their community. Pharmacists are the most accessible health professionals and their influence can be critical," she said.

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Early detection saves lives, so join your #WanniWhiteCoats and do a breast self screen this month, if you are unsure pop in and Ask Your Pharmacist for some tips and tricks. #singingpharmacists #yourhealthmatters #pharmacyofthefuture #breastcancerawarenessmonthPosted by Capital Chemist Wanniassa on Tuesday, October 17, 2017

Telstra Business Women's Awards Ambassador Joe Pollard said the awards played a vital role in raising the profile of women in business.

"For more than two decades, we've championed women from diverse industries. Women are instrumental in driving better organisational performance, increased competitive advantage and, more generally, a thriving economy," she said.

"It is our belief that the awards lift up the women they champion, and in the wider community, they can play a part in advancing gender parity in business."

Nominations for the Telstra Business Women's Awards are open year-round at telstrabusinesswomensawards.com/nominate/