2008 Belmont Small Business Awards
In 2008 the Belmont Small Business Awards were held at the Ascot Racecourse on Wednesday the 12th November. The award launch coincided with the launch of the Belmont BEC’s ‘One Stop Shop’ specialised small business support services.
MOST INNOVATIVE ENTERPRISE AWARD
Left: Carol Kane, Watermark
Right: David Shore, Nymboida Crystals (winner)
Sponsored by Watermark
Watermark is a leading Australian provider of intellectual property services. Watermark’s patent and trade mark attorneys assist clients to maximize value in their products and services through commercially focused strategic protection and management of their intellectual assets from concept to market.
WINNER – Nymboida Crystals
Nymboida Crystals started with the idea to brighten up someone’s life with crystal gift products. The business now supplies over 500 shops throughout Australia and New Zealand, and has recently set up links in the UK. All products are manufactured in Perth. The company aims to be innovative both in product design by providing light weight, inexpensive and environmentally friendly products, and also by motivating all staff by way of profit share agreements. Recently the company introduced a new design chandelier which uses halogen down lights instead of the old traditional globe system.
KARL FARRELL INSPIRATION AWARD
Left: Darren Loman, Dreamfit Foundation (winner)
Right: Carol Hanlon, Designedge Fashion Incubator / TCFWA
Sponsored by Designedge Fashion Incubator Training & Mentoring Project
Designedge was the first community based fashion incubator in WA, based in Belmont and through the Designedge National Training & Mentoring project has been providing workshops, online mentoring and support to thousands of fashion industry participants across Australia. The project has a focus on e-commerce with the designedge web site shortly launching a further 35 designer online shopping web sites. Supported by the Australian Government the project has a focus on young, indigenous and multicultural designers across Australia. Karl Farrell was an inspirational Chairman of TCFWA and this special award honours his memory.
WINNER – Dreamfit Foundation
Darren Loman is the inspirational CEO of the Dreamfit Foundation. Dreamfit involves engineering students and volunteers utilizing their design and modification skills to create or modify equipment to enable people with disabilities to enjoy recreational activities such as motorcycle riding, skiing and abseiling. In Perth alone there are over 86,500 people with a disability that restricts their mobility, including 50 new cases of paraplegia/quadriplegia reported annually. Darren Loman, via the Dreamfit Foundation is aiming enable as many of these people as possible undertake recreational activities that most of us take for granted.
GRAPHICS ARTS AWARD
Left: Ian Finlay, Optima Press
Right: Joe Iovine on behalf of Australian Heritage (winner)
Sponsored by Optima Press
Optima Press is a family owned business established in 1989. We offer a full range of services covering office stationery, brochures, annual reports and books. Mailing and digital printing services are also available, using the most up to date technology in the industry. Our loyal work force is long standing and are committed to customer service.
WINNER – Australian Heritage
Keith Elder supervised and coordinated a range of heritage graphics and poetry which he applied to many different tourism and promotional products from cups to jigsaw puzzles and prints. He was acknowledged by the Queen during her visit to Australia in 2000, for providing Her Majesty a beautiful book of poetry that he composed. Keith’s vision was for Australian heritage graphics to inspire the community locally, nationally and globally. Keith’s vision and legacy to the nation will be continued through his family in his memory.
BEST MARKETING AWARD
Left: Deanna Tesoriero, St Vincent De Paul Society (winner)
Middle: Neil Cranny, Westways Colorgrafix
Right: Lisa Guagliardo, St Vincent De Paul Society (winner)
Sponsored by Westways Colorgrafix
Westways Colorgrafix is a diverse graphic design, photography, internet development studio and major print supplier. As our motto goes, “From business cards to magazines and everything in between”. Westways has been based in the City of Belmont for over 20 years, So next time you’re thinking of producing any marketing or promotional material, think Westways Colorgrafix, your “LOCAL” Total Production Specialist.
WINNER – St Vincent de Paul Society (WA) Inc.
The public relations and fundraising team at the St Vincent de Paul society are responsible for a vast range of marketing activities to ensure the society is able to undertake many of its services such as home visitation, refugee and migrant support, and social justice advocacy. Some of these activities included production of newsletters, advertising, fundraising appeals and the development of Society materials. In 2008, the organization also rebranded, renovated and in some instances relocated some of their Vinnies Retail Centres. This marketing focus has led the retail centres away from their previous op-shop feel to now be professional places for customers to enjoy the excitement of finding pre-loved goods at affordable prices.
VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR AWARD
Left: Miss Poppy (winner)
Right: Anne Griffiths, Chamber of Comerce and Industry – presenting on behalf of Bev Poor
Sponsored by Watering Concepts
Watering Concepts is a Western Australian owned company with a 28 year record of service within the community. Watering Concepts designs, supplies and services systems for water-based solutions including mining utilities and process water, chemical applications and industrial waste reticulation.
WINNER – Miss Poppy
Having generously volunteered countless hours of time since 1999, Miss Poppy has been involved in numerous community projects including the VIP Plus Project, Belmont Clothes Library and assisting people with mental illness, and entertaining many with her singing. She is passionate about contributing to society, and believes everyone who can, should get involved in their community. Her future plans are to set up a Drug Pushers Disarm program in South Perth and Belmont, continue her tireless work with people with mental health issues and also to enter the fashion industry with her own fashion label.
COMMUNITY SPIRIT AWARD
Left: Marcenna Morrison, Activ Business Services Kewdale (winner)
Right: Charlie Tranchita, Southern Gazette
Sponsored by Southern Gazette
The Southern Gazette is part of the Community Newspaper Group and is proud to support the Belmont Small Business Awards. With a weekly readership of 68,000* people, the Southern Gazette is the first choice for local news, real estate, motoring, sporting, employment, travel and entertainment information. The Southern Gazette provides businesses with the opportunity to reach the target audience that matter most to them – local customers – by offering cost effective, creative and flexible advertising solutions.
WINNER – Activ Business Services, Kewdale
Activ Business Services Kewdale is a disability employment provider that undertakes cutlery management and packaging services. They service two major flight catering providers and supply packaged cutlery to multiple international airlines. Having recently won a new contract in a large hospital in Perth, Activ Business Services are growing, and continuing to help people with a disability reach their full potential. Activ Business Services Kewdale prides itself on promoting awareness and accurate perceptions of disability within the local community.
BEST RETAIL BUSINESS AWARD
Left: Jan Hancock, Crave (winner)
Middle: Michael Hancock, Crave (winner)
Right: Jill Goodwin, Belmont Forum
Sponsored by Belmont Forum Shopping Centre
Belmont Forum Shopping Centre represents the hub of the City of Belmont – the ‘City of Opportunity’. West Australian Owned, the Centre focuses on supporting local businesses and community group organisations. Belmont Forum is anchored by three supermarkets (Coles, Woolworth’s and Progressive Supa IGA ), two Discount Department Stores (Big W, Kmart), two mini majors (Harvey Norman and Red Dot ) and over 130 Specialty Stores including a state of the art newly refurbished Food Court. As a frequent meeting place for many in the community, Belmont Forum enjoys the opportunity to become involved with youth, seniors, welfare and fundraising through sponsorship, charitable work and the utilisation of the centre’s facilities.
WINNER – Crave
Crave Belmont, located in Belmont Forum is a business that provides a comprehensive range of fresh hand roasted coffee, chocolates and loose tea leaf. The range now also includes tea and coffee sets, plungers, and gourmet products. Since taking over the store in 2007, Janet Hancock has sought to enhance the quality and service offered to the customers in the store and she has done this by redesigning the interior, extending the range and the quality of the merchandise presented. Janet works to a 5 year plan (reviewed each 90 days) to give herself the best chance of achieving business success and chose the business for its untapped potential and fun element.
QUALITY CUSTOMER SERVICE AWARD
Left: Cathy Shand, Teem Treasure Pty Ltd (winner)
Right: Carlo Borrelli, Westpac
Sponsored by Westpac
Westpac is Australia’s first bank and the first Australian bank to adopt the Equator Principles – your future is our future. We understand the importance of “Quality Customer Service” for all our small business customers and will strive to deliver this experience every time. Westpac welcomes the opportunity to present the “Westpac – Quality Customer Service” Award as part of our ongoing support to Carol and the team at Belmont Business Enterprise Centre.
WINNER – Teem Treasure Pty Ltd
An integral aspect of Teem Treasure is to be able to provide a quality service to consumers and their families. They do this in the area of providing accommodation and community support for disadvantaged community members that have a dual diagnosis of Mild Intellectual Disability and Mental Health Issues. On a daily basis staff are faced with different challenges that are often daunting. Teem Treasure takes a collaborative approach toward providing life-work skills to disadvantaged community members and one of their strengths is working closely with those that not only need direct care and support, but also their families.
BEST STAFF TRAINING AWARD
Left: Geoff Holtmeulen, Kennards Concrete Care (winner)
Right: Martine Pitt, Communicare Family &Employment Services
Sponsored by Communicare Family and Employment Services
Communicare has been providing services within the Perth Metropolitan for over 30 years and through its Employment Services assists people to reconnect to the workplace. In 2005, over 150,000 people accessed some form of support from this agency and its Mission of strengthening the community by encouraging the participation of all members of society is highlighted within the work it carries out throughout the metropolitan area. The Belmont employment arm is located in Abernethy Road opposite Belmont Shopping Centre and is a convenient location for clients and employers alike. Without the support of Small Business as one of the major employers of staff within Western Australia, clients would be severely restricted in their choice and variety of work. Communicare is happy to be part of these awards.
WINNER – Kennards Concrete Care WA
At Kennards Concrete Care training is an exceptionally important part of the business, and each employee has a training regime set for them including both internal and external courses. Kennard’s attract local DIY customers for small concrete preparation and polishing jobs, provide builders and contractors with advice on concrete use and also provides pumps and placement equipment to mines. Due to the technical nature of the business, the continual training of staff is of the highest importance.
BUSINESS MANAGEMENT AWARD
Left: Michael D’Andrea, Office 2 Go (winner)
Right: Joe Iovine, Inventors Assistance Australia
Sponsored by Belmont Business Enterprise Centre & Small Business Centre Belmont
Belmont Business Enterprise Centre – Small Business Centre provides support and assistance to new and existing small businesses in Belmont and beyond. Established in1994, a not for profit community based association, the centre has assisted in excess of 16,000 clients during this time. The centre is one of 36 centres across Australia providing BEC Australia Low Cost Advisory services to micro small business operators and through the support of the Australian Government is able to provide part sponsored access to Legal & Accounting services, specialist mentoring, and networking to assist its client base and one of a network of 26 Small Business Centres located across Western Australia.
WINNER – Office 2 Go
With a motto of ‘furniture:fitouts:faster’ Michael D’Andrea originally saw an opportunity in the market to provide office fitouts to businesses in a matter of days instead of the traditional industry standard of 10 weeks. A comprehensive business plan is in place, and Michael has exceeded his revenue goals each year since 2006. Plans are afoot to open a second store in WA, as well as looking at opportunities interstate and overseas.
INDIGENOUS BUSINESS OF THE YEAR
Left: Madonna Beattie, Nyaarla Projects Pty Ltd (winner)
Right: Alana Pham, Perth Airport
Sponsored by Perth Airport
The Noongar people are the traditional owners of the land where Perth Airport is situated.
This year, Perth Airport raised two Aboriginal flags which now permanently fly at the entrance to the International Terminal. As the airport moves towards the development of a new airport, Perth Airport will consult with the traditional owners to ensure that appropriate recognition is given to their connection with this land. Perth Airport supports various inititiatives within the local community and is proud to present this category for the Indigenous Business of the Year.
WINNER – Nyaarla Projects Pty Ltd
Nyaarla Projects is an indigenous organization predominantly providing services to directly or indirectly benefit indigenous people. Madonna and Alan Beattie established Nyaarla to provide services in the areas of training and employment, education and youth, public participation, community consultation and general consulting. Nyaarla has been established for 5 years, and has specific experience in business facilitation, funding submissions, feasibility studies and reviews. One of the large ongoing projects Nyaarla is working on is The Indigenous Youth Mobility Programme for the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations.
SPIRIT OF AUSTRALIA AWARD
Left: Donna Vanzetti, Gingin Observatory (winner)
Right: Dick Smith, Hanssen Project Management
Sponsored by Hanssen Project Management
Hanssen Project Management specialises in the construction of luxury high-rise apartments primarily based in Perth’s CBD. Managing Director Mr Gerry Hanssen is a strong believer in Freedom of Association and providing opportunities for every person to reach their full potential. For these reasons, Hanssen has adopted the Boxing Kangaroo as their company logo. Hanssen is proud to sponsor the Spirit of Australia Award.
WINNER – Gingin Observatory
Gingin Observatory is a world leader in public education for astronomy. The observatory is only one hour drive north of Perth, but far enough away from the city lights to offer wonderous views of stars, planets and galaxies. It houses the largest telescope for public access in Australia and will soon feature the largest telescope for public access in the Southern Hemisphere. The unique aspect bout Gingin Observatory is that it offers a public astronomy experience second to none in the world (most astronomical facilities are research based and have equipment which is mainly used for science).
BEST NEW BUSINESS AWARD
Middle: Bill Sidebottom, Astro Synthetic Turf (winner)
Inner Right: Mayor Glenys Godfrey, City of Belmont
Rest: Team of Astro Synthetic Turf (winners)
Sponsored by City of Belmont
The City of Belmont is located only 6 kilometres from the Perth CBD and is recognised as a major business centre within the Perth metropolitan area. Belmont City Council is committed to providing support and services so that businesses can thrive in the local area. There are currently more than five thousand businesses in the City who are making the most of Belmont’s location, affordable parking, land and transport networks. The Council is proud to sponsor the award for Best New Business as a further reinforcement of the value placed on business success in Belmont. By recognising quality and excellence in the community, the City of Belmont believes we can lift our standards even higher, and ensure our business community is a leader in Perth and Western Australia.
WINNER – Astro Synthetic Turf
Starting less than one year ago, Astro Synthetic Turf is a landscaping business that uses environmentally friendly products to provide people with green lawns all year round. The business tries to fit in with the busy lives of its customers by working flexible hours during the day and on weekends. Environmentally, astro turf is efficient on water, time and energy and people constantly mistake the synthetic turfs for real turf, which is one of the best compliments this business can receive! The company has a comprehensive business plan in place to help achieve it’s goals.
HOME BASED BUSINESS AWARD
Left: Taku Mbudzi, Ribbon of Africa (winner)
Right: Larissa Beeson, SBDC Board Member
Sponsored by Small Business Development Corporation
The Small Business Development Corporation has been supporting and developing small business throughout WA for over 23 years. From providing information, training and advice, online networks and networking functions; through championing the cause of small business across all channels; to attracting the best talent to WA through business and skilled migration, the Small Business Development Corporation works to grow the small business sector across the state.
WINNER – Ribbon of Africa
Ribbon of Africa is a home based fashion business which sells African inspired fashion and accessories. Ribbon of Africa started in 2006 selling singlets, t-shirts headwear and tote bags and has now branched out into creating and manufacturing it’s own exclusive styles. Owner of the business Taku Mbudzi promotes African pride and community development, and encourages Africans to educate those around them about their culture, heritage and passions.
YOUNG ENTREPRENEUR AWARD
Left: Daniel Ashton, Gravity Group Pty Ltd (winner)
Right: Liz Prendergast-Jones, Curtin Business School
Sponsored by Curtin Business School
Curtin Business School is one of the most comprehensive business teaching facilities in Australia and has earned an international reputation as a practical, innovative business school that has consistently educated and developed professionals for the global business community. A key strength of Curtin Business School is diversity and offer numerous Bachelor of Commerce specialisations and postgraduate programs in such areas as entrepreneurship, accounting, marketing, management, information systems and business law.
WINNER – Daniel Ashton, Gravity Group Pty Ltd
At just 22 years of age Daniel Ashton is heading up two successful businesses – Gravity Entertainment and Boost Mobeel. Gravity Entertainment is primarily a mobile DJ business and Boost Mobeel Perth is the world’s first mobile version of Boost Juice. The Boost Mobeel can be seen on the streets of Perth ensuring we have healthy fast food and drink alternatives wherever we are, and Daniel is now responsible for the development, training and mentoring of future Boost Mobeel franchisees Australia wide.
ENVIRONMENT AWARD
Left: Terry Snell, WA Driver Recruitment
Right: Adam Graham, OdaTech Pty Ltd (winner)
Sponsored by WA Driver Recruitment
Belmont based WA Driver Recruitment was formed to provide specific labour hire needs to the transport, freight and logistics industries. Faced with constantly losing trained staff to other industry sectors, the company turned a negative into a positive and became a Group Training Organisation offering opportunities to young people to enter the industry as trainees and obtain experience whilst on the job. The company over the past two years has experienced outstanding growth resulting in over a $7million dollar turnover in the last financial year. WA Driver Recruitment status as a preferred supplier of experienced drivers and warehouse personal places them at the leading edge of the labour supply market for the Transport Industry.
WINNER – OdaTech Pty Ltd
Complaints about offensive odours are one of the most frequent environmental pollution incidents reported to regulatory authorities, and odour impacts are a significant environmental issue for the community. OdaTech is involved in air pollution control using sustainable and engineered biotechnology. This innovative business uses patented technology which has been proven to be highly efficient in the removal of hydrogen sulphide and other odorous compounds.
TCF INDUSTRY AWARD
Left: Raylene Reeve, SmellyWellyTM (winner)
Right: Theo Pabst, Chair, TCFWA
Sponsored by TCF Australia Business Growth Project& TCFWA
TCFWA is the only community based industry association of its kind in Australia providing unique and innovative small business support services to emerging designers locally, state wide and nationally. TCFWA provides business workshops, online mentoring, networking, trade missions and exhibitions.
WINNER – Smelly Welly™
Smelly Welly is a West Australian Kid’s label that features fragrant Wellington boots and sandals that are super soft and wobble like jelly! The products all look and smell of lollies, and are the inspiration of Raylene Reeve. With around 45 stockists throughout Australia and New Zealand, Raylene is now focused on new ranges and innovations on her current range. The Wellington boots now come with a top-up deodorizer spray to reinvigorate the smell of lollies, and this is also an anti-bacterial deodorizer that protects kids’ feet.
EVENT MANAGEMENT AWARD
Left: Felicia Holgate, Holgate Security (winner)
Right: Jerry Reinhardt, Concert & Corporate Productions
Sponsored by Concert &Corporate Productions
Concert & Corporate Productions (CCP) is a Western Australian owned and operated Event Production Company based in Belmont coordinating and supplying equipment, labour and technical support for events ranging from school productions to large outdoor concert events. Whether its to site manager the Ben Harper concert in Supreme Court Gardens, provide lighting for the prestigious Leeuwin Estate concert, organise staging and audio visual for a school production or the complete production services to compliment a conference for 3,000 delegates, CCP has been there and continues to be the leading WA Production providers in this field.
WINNER – Holgate Security
Recognising her staff as her number one asset, Holgate Security owner Felicia Holgate is passionate about creating a safe and friendly environment for everyone. Holgate Security services include crowd control, static security, alarm responses, private event security and car park security. Over the last year some of the events that Holgate Security have been involved with include Meekatharra Races and Festivals, private parties, shopping centre security, construction sites and even body guarding horses (even animals need help sometimes!).