Queensland businesses vying for prestigious awards
Businesses devising new technologies to break into international markets, through to those tickling the taste buds are among the 22 finalists in the 2013 Telstra Queensland Business Awards.
Blast Movement Technologies, from Seventeen Mile Rocks in Brisbane, which is literally rocking the mining world and saving it millions with its home-grown ore detecting hardware and software, is a 2013 finalist along with Gold Coast-based Technigro which is developing new ways to manage vegetation and is successfully exporting its know-how.
BoxNgo, the brainchild of Springwood retirees Bruce and Vicki Cameron who developed a national storage solution business after almost losing their nest egg through a disastrous investment, also made the list.
Other finalists include Marcoola based Becker Helicopter Services which has devised special night vision goggle training and desk based learning to upskill pilots around the world, and Brisbane communication agency Gilimbaa which has developed a breakthrough diagnostic tool to help clients wanting to connect Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians.
Regional businesses to be recognised as finalists include General Trade Industries from Thargomindah in south-west Queensland, established by plumber Geoff Pike as a one-man outback trade contracting business that has grown to employ 67 people.
Finalists from the food and beverage sector include Burleigh Brewing Company from Burleigh Heads, whose locally crafted brews have gained global attention as ‘world’s best beers,’ and Torquay business Bay Fusion Food Design, which was launched out of the leased kitchen of a local drug and rehabilitation centre in 2011 and now provides top notch catering to corporate functions and private soirees.
Will Irving, Telstra Business Group Managing Director and Ambassador for the Telstra Australian Business Awards, said the range and experience of Queensland businesses vying for this year’s awards was a positive sign for the growth of the local economy.
“The calibre of Queensland 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 Irving said.
The finalists for the 2013 Telstra Queensland Business Awards are:
Start-Up Award
Bay Fusion Food Design – Torquay
Bli Bli House – Pacific Paradise
Ecoriginals – Bulimba
Inspection Apps – Cairns
Micro-Business Award
BoxNgo – Springwood
Eniquest – Warana
IRIQ – Brisbane
People Smartz Pty Ltd – The Gap
SeeChange Consulting – Norman Park
Smart Calendars 4 U – Byfield
Small Business Award
Blast Movement Technologies – Seventeen Mile Rocks
Burleigh Brewing Company – Burleigh Heads
DC8 Studio Pty Ltd – Newstead
Gilimbaa – Brisbane
Lat27 – Newstead
Smartprint Fleet Management – Gaven
Medium Business Award
Becker Helicopter Services Pty Ltd – Marcoola
E3 Style – Geebung
General Trade Industries (GTI) – Thargomindah
Plastec Australia – Caloundra
Protech – Springwood
Technigro – Gold Coast
Regional Award
Becker Helicopter Services Pty Ltd – Marcoola
Bli Bli House – Pacific Paradise
Burleigh Brewing Company – Burleigh Heads
Eniquest – Warana
General Trade Industries (GTI) – Thargomindah
Smart Calendars 4 U – Byfield
Winners of the 2013 Telstra Queensland Business Awards will be announced in Brisbane at Hilton Brisbane on Tuesday 16 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 the Telstra Business Awards website or calling 1800 AWARDS between 9am and 7pm AEST Monday to Friday.