Wellbeing of Tasmanians in safe hands with business Awards finalists

Leaders of business and community organisations contributing to the health and wellbeing of Tasmanians are among the 10 finalists for the 2013 Telstra Tasmanian Business Women’s Awards.

Health sector leaders named as finalists include Susan Sluce, Director of Hobart optometry business Optomeyes, who has championed eyecare through leadership roles in national and Tasmanian research organisations, and Heather Francis, CEO of the RHH Research Foundation, who has driven innovative marketing strategies for a range of groups including MS Tasmania.

Other finalists from the health arena include Janet Carty, Executive Manager Health Transport at Ambulance Tasmania, and Melita Griffin, Fundraising Director at the National Heart Foundation Australia’s Tasmanian Division.

Community sector leaders recognised include Joanna Siejka, CEO of the Youth Network of Tasmania, whose passion for social justice and giving disadvantaged people a voice saw her elected chair of the National Youth Coalition for Housing and to the board of Homelessness Australia. She is a finalist for two Awards.

Lisa Cuatt, Program Manager for Save the Children Australia in Hobart, who created programs that provide educational and vocational opportunities to divert young people away from the juvenile justice system, is also a finalist for two Awards. She says: “We can present a real economic argument for the ongoing support of community-based programs rather than a punitive, detention-based approach to youth offending.”

As CEO of Bellamy’s Organic, Laura McBain has grown the Launceston business into a successful domestic producer and international exporter of a range of certified organic formula and toddler milk. She is a finalist for the Private and Corporate Award and the Business Innovation Award.

Samantha Brown, who launched a range of loose leaf tea blends and herbal infusions such as Tassie Devil Tea at her Kingston-based business The Art of Tea, is one of three finalists for the Business Owner Award.

Others are former teacher and National League basketballer Amanda Coombe, who founded North Hobart health club Personal Best Fitness, and InSPArations Day Spa owner Kim Digby, who developed her Spreyton hair salon into a wellbeing destination by adding services such as massages, facials and body treatments.

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 Tasmania.

“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 Tasmanian 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 said: “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.”

Previous winners of the Telstra Tasmanian Business Woman of the Year Award include Lucinda Mills, a partner at Camerons Accountants & Advisers in Launceston, Genevieve Atkins, from the Travel Studio in Hobart, and Jane Bennett, former Managing Director of Ashgrove Cheeses in Elizabeth Town.

Winners of the 2013 Telstra Tasmanian Business Women’s Awards will be announced on Friday 11 October in Hobart. The Tasmanian winners proceed to the national finals in Melbourne on Thursday 14 November.

For winners across Australia the awards offer a share in $200,000 in cash and prizes.

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

Business Owner Award

Samantha Brown, The Art of Tea, Kingston
Amanda Coombe, Personal Best Fitness, North Hobart
Kim Digby, InSPArations Day Spa, Spreyton

Private and Corporate Sector Award

Laura McBain, Bellamy’s Organic, Launceston
Susan Sluce, Optomeyes, Hobart

Community and Government Award

Janet Carty, Ambulance Tasmania Health Transport Services, Hobart
Lisa Cuatt, Save the Children Australia, Hobart
Heather Francis, RHH Research Foundation, Hobart
Joanna Siejka, Youth Network of Tasmania, Sandy Bay

Business Innovation

Samantha Brown, The Art of Tea, Kingston
Lisa Cuatt, Save the Children Australia, Hobart
Laura McBain, Bellamy’s Organic, Launceston

Young Business Women’s Award

Melita Griffin, National Heart Foundation Australia (Tasmanian Division), Hobart
Joanna Siejka, Youth Network of Tasmania, Sandy Bay

More information on the Telstra Business Women’s Awards can be found on the Telstra Tasmanian Business Women’s Awards website.