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Australia Post NSW/ACT Small Business Awards 2005-2006The 2005 Australia Post NSW/ACT Small Business Awards attracted hundreds of entries. At a gala dinner in Sydney, it came down to just three finalists in the each category. One overall Small Business of the Year was chosen from among category winners.
Overall NSW/ACT Small Business of the Year Platinum Electrical Contractors, NSW Platinum Electrical Contractors was started by Joshua Nicholls in 2001 and now has 24 staff, with another two employees joining the team in November. Specialising in electrical maintenance, installations, and breakdown repairs in the industrial and commercial markets, Platinum Electrical attribute their growth to a customer service philosophy of consistent professionalism, attention to detail, and the pursuit of excellence in all areas of business. Adhering to this philosophy, Platinum Electrical has experienced a revenue growth of 789% in only 4 years with a current turnover in excess of $2,000,000. Visit www.platinumelectrical.com.au.
Category Winners & Finalists Customer Service: Sydney business Jamie Carroll Hair & Beauty was a deserved winner of the category, however we were later told that Hillcrest Mountain View Retreat was just pipped at the post. Winner - Jamie Carroll Hair & Beauty, NSW Finalists: Hillcrest Mountain View Retreat, NSW Owner-operated by husband and wife team, Clive and Tracy Parker, multiple Tourism Award-winning Hillcrest Mountain View Retreat is the only 5-star rated boutique accommodation in the Tweed region of Northern NSW. As specialists in romantic getaways for couples of all ages, Hillcrest offers two luxury bed and breakfast suites in a private guest wing of the main residence and one fully self-contained Cottage in its own secluded garden. Peace, privacy, and spectacular views from Mt Warning to the rainforests of Springbrook Ranges, solar-heated pool, luxury double spa baths, and jolly good food. Visit http://hillcrestbb.com and http://hillcrestcottage.com. Research One Pty Ltd, ACT Research One Pty Ltd provides customised legal research, writing, and analysis solutions to lawyers and government legal departments in Australia and overseas. The business saves clients time, resources, and money by using its global network of research specialists connected by the Internet. Services include drafting legal submissions, compiling legislative histories, and searching databases, libraries, and archives. Visit www.research-one.com.au.
Business Growth and Management Award: Winner - Platinum Electrical Contractors, NSW Platinum Electrical Contractors was started by Joshua Nicholls in 2001 and now has 24 staff, with another two employees joining the team in November. Specialising in electrical maintenance, installations, and breakdown repairs in the industrial and commercial markets, Platinum Electrical attribute their growth to a customer service philosophy of consistent professionalism, attention to detail, and the pursuit of excellence in all areas of business. Adhering to this philosophy, Platinum Electrical has experienced a revenue growth of 789% in only 4 years with a current turnover in excess of $2,000,000. Visit www.platinumelectrical.com.au. Finalists: Hunter Integrated Care Incorporated, NSW Hunter Integrated Care Incorporated started in 1999 with the amalgamation of three community organisations. It has since grown to 80 employees assisted by over 400 volunteers committed to providing holistic community care. Hunter Integrated Care’s services give frail aged and disabled people the opportunity to live independently within their own homes, improving quality of life and helping to prevent premature admission to residential care institutions. Visit www.hici.org.au. Techbuy Pty Ltd, NSW Michelle Lau and Colin Mead started Techbuy Pty Ltd in 1996 as an online business, operating from a small bedroom in Wentworthville. By 2000, Techbuy had moved into commercial premises and developed its focus to become an Internet-based online technology store. A winner in the Business Growth and Management Category in 2004, Techbuy Pty Ltd has since doubled its turnover in just 12 months—a feat they believe is due in no small way to winning the award. Visit www.techbuy.com.au.
Your Choice Award: Winner: Win Heng Asian Grocery, NSW This family business, opened in September 2003 supplying speciality Asian foodstuffs on the Mid North Coast, broke new ground when William and Christina Diep started their special cooking classes demonstrating recipes and how to use ingredients. Win Heng Asian Grocery are now on the list of local tourist attractions in Port Macquarie and enjoy the loyal support of their customers. Finalists: ABK Publications/Australian Birdkeeper, NSW ABK Publications supply pet bird owners, bird breeders, and bird lovers of the world with the prestigious ‘A Guide to…’ book series and its informative and colourful bi-monthly magazine Australian BirdKeeper, considered by many to be one of, if not, the finest periodicals on pet and aviary birds available in the world today. The acclaimed ‘A Guide to…’ book series currently features 23 titles on specific bird species, covering their management, care, nutrition, health, and breeding. Titles include finches, parrots, pigeons, doves, waterfowl, health and disease in birds, colour mutations in parrots, and more. Visit www.birdkeeper.com.au. Concord Beauty Spot, NSW
Getting Started Award Winner - Ecowash Mobile Pty Ltd, NSW Ecowash Mobile is a completely waterless mobile car washing and detailing service that uses an innovative technique to provide a 2-in-1 wash and polish. An Ecowash does not use water, meaning a car detail can be done anywhere and is eco-friendly. The Ecowash Mobile approach uses an exclusive product range that includes a polymer compound. The compound is sprayed onto the car exterior and encapsulates surface dirt that is then removed with a soft cloth, leaving behind a protective coating to guard against the elements and harmful effects of wear and tear. There are a variety of services on offer, from a basic waterless wash and polish right through to a full detail, called an Extreme Ecowash, to suit individual car owners, car dealers, smash repairers, and corporate fleets. Visit www.ecowash.com.au. Finalists: Flowers all Hours, NSW Flowers All Hours is a multi-award winning business including National Winner of the Yellow Pages “Best Business Concept Idea” for innovation of the Floral eKiosk machine. This is a self-automated system where a customer can purchase a fresh flower arrangement or floral bouquet from a vending machine or organise a flower delivery anywhere worldwide via a touch screen kiosk. Flowers All Hours offers customers a holistic approach to ordering flowers. Order online at www.flowersallhours.com.au, via Floral eKiosk machine, EFTpos devices, and (coming soon) i-mode, or call 1300 76 22 95 to speak to floral experts. Flowers All Hours, all locations, all occasions. Helping people worldwide to invest in the interest of others! Visit www.flowersallhours.com.au. 'Skoona Moova'/'Jack of all Trays' by Inventors Express Pty Ltd, NSW Inventor John Braams and entrepreneurs David Nevell and Karen Jacobs-Bick established Inventors Express Pty Ltd in July 2004 to market Skoona Moova, a reusable, foldaway, pocket-sized, one-handed drinks carrier. Manufactured and marketed in Australia, the Skoona Moova has no rivals. It is now available on the Internet and from many stockists, including in the US and UK markets, with negotiations underway for distribution rights in France. Visit www.skoonamoova.com.
Marketing Award: Winner - DeBra's, NSW Founded in 1999 by Debra Kinney, DeBra’s lives up to its slogan “bra’s for everybody”, by supplying the most extensive range of bras and lingerie for the smallest to the largest sizes. Catering for ladies wanting a professional fitting, personal service, and a wide range of styles, DeBra’s also provides special fittings for women with medical conditions. Visit www.debras.com.au. Finalists: Frank Cross Tyres, NSW Frank Cross started his “One Stop Tyre Outlet” specialising in tyre sales and repairs for virtually everything on wheels in 1981 when he realised that existing tyre retailers were not meeting the specialised needs of the Dubbo community. Starting with one small store, one staff member, and a turnover of $8000 per month, the business now has six stores, 50 staff members, a turnover of $1 million per month, and services a huge area extending west to Bourke, south to Young, and as far north as the Queensland border. Visit www.frankcrosstyres.com.au. Havenhall Pty Ltd, NSW Family-owned business Havenhall Pty Ltd has been operating for 16 years, supplying Pigeon brand baby products. In 2003, they launched a revolutionary new teat based on sound medical research. With only limited resources, Havenhall had to use a range of clever marketing techniques to succeed in an already saturated market. The outstanding results have taken the business to a new level where they are enjoying increased sales and newfound respect in the marketplace as well as paving the way for the launch of new products in the future.
Technology Award: Winner - iOmniscient Pty Ltd, NSW iOmniscient provides the world’s most intelligent video surveillance software that analyses security video feeds, alerting the security operator of such events as intruder detection, slip and fall detection, people and vehicle counting, suspicious behaviour analysis and tracking, graffiti detection, theft detection, and abandoned object detection in a crowd. Using the most sophisticated technology available, the IQ Series greatly increases the accuracy and efficiency of security by adding artificial intelligence to any video surveillance system. The addition of extra intelligence means critical events will not be missed due to human shortcomings and constraints. Visit http://iomniscient.com. Finalists: Deltawater, NSW A Newcastle-based company, Deltawater manufacturers and distributes the Delta Magnetic Water Conditioner, and also distributes other specialist water treatment equipment. Deltawater’s products treat water-related problems such as salinity, calcium, and mineral scale, iron, and corrosion in a wide range of industries and applications such as industrial, mining, rural stock and domestic, irrigation of crops, fruit, vegetables, parks and gardens, and household, community, and town water supplies. Visit www.deltawater.com.au. The Wedding List Company was launched in July 2003 providing a service-oriented bridal registry and an alternative to the major department stores. Utilising a click and mortar approach through two showrooms in Sydney, they offer couples and their guests the choice of selecting gifts in a showroom or through online services. The first in Australia to offer this type of online service, it has proved so popular with clients that the business is now the nation’s largest alternative bridal registry service. Visit www.weddinglistcompany.com.au.
Import and Export Award: Winner - AussieBum, NSW Judges Commendation - Taylor & Khoo, NSW By working with sewing groups of disabled and handicapped people (mostly landmine and polio victims) and using Cambodian silk, Taylor & Khoo have created a line of women’s clothing and fashion accessories for sale in Australia, with 100% of the profits used to support the needs of the Sunrise Angkor Orphanage, which now accommodates 140 children. Visit www.taylorandkhoo.com. Finalist - RRS Pty Ltd, NSW Sydney-based automotive designer RRS Pty Limited (Revelation Racing Supplies) produces a large range of patent-protected suspension, braking, and steering products to suit a large number of early American and Australian model Fords. RRS markets through 15 Australian distributors and dealers, 4 major American distribution networks, and worldwide through an RRS online dealer. Visit www.rrs-online.com.
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