Albany centre wins award

The Small Business Centre in Albany has been named the nation’s Best Regional Enterprise Centre at the annual Small Business Development Conference in Cairns.

Commerce Minister Bill Marmion said it was an impressive win given the standards of Small Business Centres and Business Enterprise Centres nationwide.

“With the business population steadily growing in this region it is great to know they have support of such an effective Small Business Centre team,” Mr Marmion said in a statement.

He said it was a well-deserved recognition for the centre and a great achievement for the region.

The centre provides space to rent for between one month and four years, meaning businesses starting out do not have to sign a long-term lease.

It provides free support to business in Albany, Denmark and Plantagenet.

“Vicki Brown and her team in Albany work extremely hard bringing business advice and guidance to the Great Southern region.”

Earlier this year, Ms Brown’s work was recognised by the Albany Chamber of Commerce and Industry, when she was named local Businessperson of the Year for 2010.

Beattie resigns

WIN WA and Nine Perth News director Adrian Beattie has resigned effective immediately. Mr Beattie was a reporter for Channel 9 Perth before becoming news director in 2007. Deputy news director Michael Thomson will step into the role of news director until a replacement is found.