South Australian businesses vying for prestigious awards
Businesses that are delighting the local palate and providing clever energy solutions are among the 20 finalists in the 2013 Telstra South Australian Business Awards.
The local food industry is represented by Richard Gunner’s Fine Meats of Mount Barker, an integrated ‘paddock to plate’ meat business that supplies high quality beef, lamb and pork produce to 150 restaurants across Australia and to thousands more through retail stores across Adelaide and Victor Harbor.
Another finalist is Sprout, created by Callum Hann, fresh from his MasterChef success, in a partnership with nutrition and dietetics expert Themis Chryssidis, to help people develop a greater understanding about healthy eating habits.
Mr Chryssidis said: “We are passionate about teaching people how to cook quick, easy and healthy food, maintain a healthy lifestyle, and get the most out of fresh, local and seasonal produce,”
Other finalists that identified and successfully filled a gap in their respective markets are two businesses that offer alternative energy solutions.
They are Dudley Park start-up Off-Grid Energy Australia, which designs and installs power solutions for customers with no access to the national power grid or needing 24-7 uninterrupted power, and Suntrix Pty Ltd, which specialises in turnkey solar solutions for commercial, residential and wholesale clients.
Suntrix Managing Director, Jenny Paradiso, said: “Our business is not just another solar company. We provide value-added services such as solar advice and design, energy auditing and energy load profiling for our clients.”
Adelaide’s pet care industry is also recognised by three finalists who include St Peters-based Stephen Terrace Veterinary Clinic and Pet Universe Veterinary Centres, which offer the latest in advanced surgery and stem cell therapy at Broadview and Northgate.
Dudley Park’s Advance Behavioural Training, founded by former veterinary nurse Amy Van Dyk, features South Australia’s first indoor dog training facility and specialises in training dogs with council orders.
Ms Van Dyk said she has always been interested in the relationship between animals and humans, adding: “We use only humane and kind training methods to assist owners get the most out of their dogs and to increase the human-animal bond.”
Will Irving, Telstra Business Group Managing Director and Ambassador for the Telstra Australian Business Awards, said the range and experience of South Australian businesses vying for this year’s awards was a positive sign for the growth of the local economy.
Mr Irving said: “The calibre of South Australian 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.”
The finalists for the 2013 Telstra South Australian Business Awards are:
Start-Up Award
Living Stories – Port Adelaide
Off-Grid Energy Australia – Dudley Park
PEAK Design – Mount Barker
The Pole Boutique – Goodwood
Sprout – Adelaide
Micro-Business Award
Advance Behavioural Training – Regency Park
Mining Family Matters – Adelaide Hills
Pace Lawyers – Adelaide
Synotronics Pty – Dry Creek
Urban Commercial Property Group – Eastwood
We Create Brands – Adelaide
Small Business Award
ASC Training & Development – Adelaide
BRS – Adelaide
Cocoon Spa and Wellness – St Morris
Manta Controls – Grange
Pet Universe Veterinary Centres Broadview & Northgate – Manningham
Stephen Terrace Veterinary Clinic – St Peters
Medium Business Award
Industrial Medic Services (IMS) Pty Ltd / IMS Ambulance Services Pty – Cavan
Richard Gunner’s Fine Meats – Mount Barker
Suntrix Pty Ltd – Newton
Regional Award
Richard Gunner’s Fine Meats – Mount Barker
PEAK Design – Mount Barker
Winners of the 2013 Telstra South Australian Business Awards will be announced in Adelaide at the Adelaide Entertainment Centre on Friday 26 July.
They will share in more than $500,000 in prizes, 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.