The 700 people who attended this year’s WA Business News 40under40 Awards made history when they walked down the red carpet as the first guests at a private function held at Parliament House in the building’s history.
The 700 people who attended this year’s WA Business News 40under40 Awards made history when they walked down the red carpet as the first guests at a private function held at Parliament House in the building’s history.
Legislative Assembly speaker Fred Riebling said parliament was happy to have the function, and that it was time that more people were able to utilise the magnificent building.
“The type of function it was, to recognise the achievement of Western Australians, is the ideal sort of event to have at parliament,” Mr Riebling said.
“All reports indicate it was a great function, and we would be happy to have the awards back next year.”
The evening’s host, Tim Gossage, said the audience for the 40under40 Awards was the most appreciative and respectful that he had ever worked with.
“I do a lot of functions and this really is a genuine black tie event – the way that the crowd reacted to winners was just amazing and the setting was sensational,” Mr Gossage said.
“There was such an incredible array of talent in all fields. Looking at the bios it was not a matter of what you read out, but what you left out.
“There was an amazing cross section of talented Western Australians and I’m sure it was very difficult to cut down the list to just 40 people.”
Guests enjoyed catering by Hyder and Shears and drank wine from Wills Domain, fittingly provided by the 2004 First Amongst Equals winner, Darren Haunold.
Mr Haunold said the night was amazing and that he was more than happy to hand over the First Amongst Equals mantle to an individual as worthy as Lyle Palmer.
Professor Palmer was presented his award by 2002 First Amongst Equals winner Mark Barnaba.
He was also given two business class return tickets to London and $3,000 of Louis Vuitton luggage to take on the trip.
Accepting the award Professor Palmer said he was surprised to have been nominated, and even more surprised to be chosen as the First Amongst Equals.
“Particularly in the presence of the other people receiving awards tonight, whose excellence is self evident, it is with humility and gratitude that I accept this prestigious award,” he said.
Professor Palmer said there were far too many people who had supported him to thank, but singled out Professor Louis Landau, Professor Fiona Stanley, Peter Klinken and Graeme Morgan for their support.
Entertainment was organised by Steamworks Productions with the artists previewing performances, some of which were to be part of the Perth International Arts Festival, against the backdrop of St Georges Terrace.
Simon te Brinke, group media and communications director from Marketforce, said he had “an absolute ball on the night”, and “thought it was one of the best gala presentations this city has ever seen”.
“The night was perfect with a capital P,” Mr te Brinke said.
After dinner the real fun started, with Perth’s most successful young business people mingling on the steps of Parliament House until late into the night.
Drake managing consultant Lois Lange said representing her organisation as both a sponsor and a judge in the awards was a wonderful experience.
“Everyone at our table and all we spoke with enjoyed themselves,” she said.
“The venue, the ambience, the setting, the food, the pace and the excitement were all first class – a standard I have come to expect from everything that you do at WA Business News.”
West Coast Eagles corporate sales executive Tony Haselhurst said he had a terrific night at a great venue, meeting great people.
“The venue was amazing and WA Business News should be very proud to have hosted such an event in such a great setting,” he said.
“The West Coast Eagles host many big events so I know what sort of work is put in behind the scenes to make this sort of event successful.”
