Northern Territory businesses vying for prestigious awards
Family-owned businesses centred around the construction, security and property maintenance sectors are well represented among the 12 finalists for the 2013 Telstra Northern Territory Business Awards.
Killarney Homes, a Bellamack business born from the desire of brothers Michael and Damian Moriarty to build cool and comfortable homes suitable for tropical climates, is a finalist along with Top End Pest Control, established by husband and wife team Tim and Cory Lambert in 2004 to provide a comprehensive range of pest management services and training.
Other family-run business finalists are Cairns Industries Pty Ltd, based in Borroloola, where Shaun and Kym Cairns have built a local construction company employing local people, 20 per cent of whom are Indigenous, and Alice Springs RONIN SECURITY technologies where Grant and Thalia Byrnes have realised their dream of being independent in business.
Grant Byrnes, RONIN’s Director, said the business designs, installs and maintains security services across the state. “Our superior products and holistic design approaches provide industry leading solutions for all our clients,” he said.
Darwin’s CaptOvate, a web design and development company that has gained national recognition for its internet creativity, is a finalist and another example of Northern Territory families building successful business ventures. CaptOvate was launched by Michael Hawkes who left a 10 year teaching career to set up the business with his wife Karen in 2005.
“Technology can be daunting so at CaptOvate we aim to demystify and enlighten people on the best ways to use technology to market their business and to service clients,” Mr Hawkes said.
Alice Springs business italklibrary is a finalist using modern technology to create new learning opportunities to help overcome literacy barriers. The business has created a national database of stories in multiple languages including 14 Australian Indigenous languages.
Other finalists include Helen Summers Optometrist. Eyecare Plus Darwin. Launched by Helen Summers so she could work close to her young children, the Fannie Bay business also hosts fashion eyewear shows and helps children in remote communities via outreach clinics.
Brian O’Keefe, Telstra Country Wide Area General Manager Northern Territory, said the range and experience of Northern Territory businesses vying for this year’s awards was a positive sign for the growth of the local economy.
“The calibre of Northern Territory finalists in this year’s awards is outstanding and goes to show why small and medium businesses are the backbone of Australia.
“It is so important that we recognise the businesses that support our local communities and celebrate the significant contribution they make by creating jobs, driving innovation and bringing their expertise and innovations to customers - locally and all over the world,” Mr O’Keefe said.
The finalists for the 2013 Telstra Northern Territory Business Awards are:
Micro-Business Award
Dermal Essence – Darwin
Encore Pilates – Darwin
Helen Summers Optometrist. Eyecare Plus Darwin – Fannie Bay
italklibrary – Alice Springs
S.A.R Contracting – Palmerston
Small Business Award
CaptOvate – Darwin
Hallmark Computers International – Darwin
Killarney Homes – Bellamack
Top End Pest Control – Darwin
RONIN SECURITY technologies – Alice Springs
Medium Business Award
Cairns Industries Pty Ltd – Borroloola
Sterling Property Services Pty Ltd – Darwin
Regional Award
italklibrary – Alice Springs
Cairns Industries Pty Ltd – Borroloola
RONIN SECURITY technologies – Alice Springs
Winners of the 2013 Telstra Northern Territory Business Awards will be announced in Darwin at the Darwin Convention Centre on 19 July.
They will share in more than $500,000 in cash grants and business products, which is split among state, territory and national winners, and proceed to the national awards in Sydney on 22 August, 2013.
Tickets to the event can be purchased by visiting telstrabusinessawards.com or calling 1800AWARDS between 9am and 7pm AEST Monday to Friday.