Tasmanian businesses turning a healthy profit named Awards finalists
Brilliant Tasmanian businesses promoting healthy and environmentally sustainable lifestyle choices in the food, health and fitness, and renewable energy sectors are among the 22 finalists in the 2014 Telstra Tasmanian Business Awards.
The experience and skills of the finalists are as diverse as their locations, with businesses from industries including heavy machinery maintenance, audio production, tourism, jewellery design, and residential building coming from Mt. Nelson and Binalong Bay down to Richmond and Cygnet.
Telstra Business Group Managing Director and Telstra Business Awards Ambassador, Will Irving, said the breadth and calibre of the 22 Tasmania Awards finalists was a positive sign for the State’s economy.
“It’s fantastic to see finalists from across Tasmania representing such varied industries. These brilliant Tasmanian businesses are at the heart of our community and the backbone of the Australian economy.”
“The Telstra Business Awards recognise the brilliance of Australian businesses and help them reflect on their strategies, goals and how they can achieve a better future, but they also inspire their communities by highlighting the hard work and creative force that go into keeping a small business running, fulfilling business owners’ passions and dreams,” Mr Irving said.
Boutique salad growers Mark Fonderie and Lynda Stellamaris established Naked Carrot in 2005 and have become popular among Hobart chefs for their 35 unusual micro-greens and salad products, which are produced year-round in a specialised growing room featuring heat and water recycling.
Satisfying the health-conscious consumer, friends Chris Button, Troy Sutcliffe and Jessica Saxby offer healthy fast food in their four Liv-eat Sandwich Bar outlets, while acclaimed chef Steve Cumper serves up seasonal Tasmanian dishes at The Red Velvet Lounge in Cygnet.
Other finalists include Hobart businesses Swift Plumbing Solutions Pty Ltd, which offers sustainable plumbing and water efficient technologies, and renewable energy provider I Want Energy, which has attracted commercial, farming, manufacturing and government clients for its wind turbines, LED lighting and solar energy products.
Regional finalists include Wivenhoe-based heavy machinery repairs and maintenance business AJL Heavy Equipment Pty Ltd, audio production specialist Abes Audio, and Marianne Clarke and Bruce Annear’s luxury getaway, Bed in the Treetops B&B on Tasmania’s north east coast.
Other finalists include young entrepreneur Hannah Vasicek, whose jewellery business Francesca Collections attracted Hollywood’s Golden Globes gifting suite, Paul and Lisa Burnell’s residential building company Ronald Young & Co Builders, and Your Path to Health’s Jessica Webb whose Rosny Park health and fitness business helps people tackle obesity and chronic health issues.
More than $800,000 in prizes is available for winners of the 2014 state, territory and national Telstra Business Awards - a program that has celebrated brilliant Australian small and medium businesses since 1992.
The finalists for the 2014 Telstra Tasmanian Business Awards are:
Start-Up Award
Baby Steps Ballet, Rosny Park
Cornerstone Pet Crematorium, Launceston
D & M Heavy Haulage, Brighton
Mondalee Collections, Old Beach
Swift Plumbing Solutions Pty Ltd, Mornington
Your Path to Health, Rosny Park
Micro Business Award
Bed in the Treetops B&B, Binalong Bay
Francesca Collections, Hobart
Handbuilt Creative, Richmond
Hobart Design, Fern Tree
Naked Carrot, Mt. Nelson
Small Business Award
Abes Audio, Devonport
doctor coffee, Salamanca
I Want Energy, Moonah
Lark Distillery, Hobart
Ronald Young & Co Builders, Hobart
The Red Velvet Lounge, Cygnet
Medium Business Award
AJL Heavy Equipment Pty Ltd, Wivenhoe
Intuit Technologies, Hobart
Liv-eat Sandwich Bars, Hobart
North Hobart Veterinary Hospital, North Hobart
Stornoway, Launceston
Regional Award
Abes Audio, Devonport
Bed in the Treetops B&B, Binalong Bay
Handbuilt Creative, Richmond
Stornoway, Launceston
Winners of the Telstra Tasmanian Business Awards will be announced at the Grand Chancellor Hobart, 11 July 2014. They will proceed to the national Awards in Melbourne on 7 August.
Awards information and tickets for the Awards Gala Dinners can be purchased by visiting the Telstra Business Awards website or by calling 1800AWARDS between 9am and 7pm AEST Monday to Friday.