Top Territory women named finalists for Business Women's Awards

Two 34-year-old women who share a passion for driving change to improve the lives of people in their sectors are among six finalists for the 2013 Telstra Northern Territory Business Women’s Awards.

Katherine Sarneckis, CEO of the Northern Territory Seafood Council, who launched the ‘Support NT Caught’ campaign to counter competition from imported seafood and boost the fortunes of the 1450 people employed in the local industry, is a finalist for the Young Business Women’s Award.

Ms Sarneckis, also a finalist for Community and Government Award, said: “Capturing the support of the community and developing a stronger sense of the seafood community are primary areas critical to the long term viability of the industry.”

Another finalist for the Young Business Women’s Award is Katherine Van Gurp, who became the Director for the Business Improvement and Planning branch of the Northern Territory Police, Fire and Emergency Services two years ago, and introduced new strategic planning and risk management frameworks that are transforming the tri-service agency and strengthening its accountability.

Ms Van Gurp said she also promotes a continual learning and mentoring approach within her team.

Other finalists for the Community and Government Award are GTNT (Group Training Northern Territory) CEO Kathryn James, a former hairdressing apprentice who now leads a team with 65 employees and about 380 apprentices and trainees, and Rosanne Lague, currently Executive Director People, Business and Strategic Services with the Department of Correctional Services after a long career in the Australian Public Service.

Finalists for the Business Owner Award include Helen Summers, founder of Helen Summers Optometrist Eyecare Plus Darwin, whose practice also services remote indigenous communities in the Territory, and Julie Newton, Managing Director of The Top Saddlery and Bush Boutique in Katherine and a recent appointee to the NT Government’s Business Advisory Council.

Previous winners of the Telstra Northern Territory Business Woman of the Year Award include Katie Cooper, General Manager of Alice Springs and Tennant Creek Airports, Estelle Cornell, founder and Managing Director of Allora Garden Nursery in Darwin, and Heather Malone, owner of Penny’s Fancy Dress and an Alderman on the City of Palmerston Council.

Kate McKenzie, Group Managing Director Telstra Innovation, Products and Marketing and Ambassador of the Telstra Business Women’s Awards, said the Awards celebrated the hard work and determination of business women in the Northern Territory.

“For 19 years we’ve run the Awards to inspire leading business women to realise their potential and celebrate their success. We believe the 2013 Territory finalists are entrepreneurs, innovators and managers who can inspire our nation and the following generation,” Ms McKenzie said.

CommBank’s Women in Focus program, which opens doors to opportunity for women across Australia, is an Official Partner of the Telstra Business Women’s Awards.

Karen James, General Manager, Women in Focus and Affiliate Business Banking says, “Partnering with the Telstra Business Women’s Awards for the fifth year is vital to our purpose. The Alumni inspire the womeninfocus.com.au community through speaking at our events, sharing their story and expertise online, and mentoring women in the community.”

Winners of the 2013 Telstra Northern Territory Business Women’s Awards will be announced on Friday 20 September in Darwin.

The Northern Territory winners proceed to the national finals of the Telstra Business Women’s Awards that will be announced in Melbourne on 14 November. For winners across Australia the awards offer a share in $200,000 in cash and prizes.

Finalists for the 2013 Telstra Northern Territory Business Women’s Awards are:

Business Owner Award

Julie Newton, The Top Saddlery and Bush Boutique
Helen Summers, Helen Summers Optometrist. Eyecare Plus Darwin

Community & Government Award

Kathryn James, GTNT
Rosanne Lague, Department of Correctional Services
Katherine Sarneckis, Northern Territory Seafood Council

Business Innovation Award

Kathryn James, GTNT
Helen Summers, Helen Summers Optometrist. Eyecare Plus Darwin

Young Business Women’s Award

Katherine Sarneckis, Northern Territory Seafood Council
Katherine Van Gurp, Northern Territory Police, Fire & Emergency Services

For more information, visit the Telstra Business Women’s Awards website.