A last-minute change of venue did nothing to quell the anticipation of the 900-strong crowd that turned up in Fremantle earlier this month for Western Australia’s biggest celebration of young business.
A last-minute change of venue did nothing to quell the anticipation of the 900-strong crowd that turned up in Fremantle earlier this month for Western Australia’s biggest celebration of young business.
The former passenger terminal was returned to its glory as the state’s leading young business people – many of whom would have been descendants of the waves of immigrants who first stepped ashore in Australia at Fremantle – soaked up the sun’s last rays over the harbour.
The view was over the work yards of the North Quay where the event was planned to take place amid a “convention room” made from sea containers.
The threat of cyclonically-driven heavy rain, which later evaporated, had prompted a change to a more conventional setting but the striking sunset views more than made up for the reduced novelty value.
The 2006 WA Business News 40under40 Awards program was the fifth annual event, which has grown more prestigious each year – with growing crowds and longer lists of nominees.
The alumni of this awards program have, in numerous cases, also maintained a connection with the event and many were on hand to see the next group of winners take the stage, bringing the number to 200 recipients over the past half decade.
It was notable to see many past 1st Amongst Equals in the crowd including Azure Capital managing director Mark Barnaba, Commtech Wireless founder Nathan Buzza, Wills Domain managing director Darren Haunold (whose company supplied the wine) and WA Institute of Medical Research foundation chair in genetic epidemiology Professor Lyle Palmer.
Professor Palmer graced the stage later in proceedings to hand over the mantle of 1st Amongst Equals, considered to be the ambassadorial role for the combined 40, to iiNet founder and managing director Michael Malone.
It was a long build up to that point, with 40 winners announced as Channel 10’s Tim Gossage and Charmaine Dragun battled to overcome the noise of increasing numbers of celebrants.
Mr Malone’s nomination as just one of the 40 earned a rousing cheer and a prolonged applause, marking him as the crowd favourite to take out the main prize, which included two business class tickets from Singapore Airlines to anywhere on the Singapore Airlines network, Louis Vuitton Luggage and a Desert Ice Diamonds/Katherine Kalaf personally designed diamond jewellery piece, valued at $10,000.
Later, when named 1st Amongst Equals, he took the stage with a heartfelt speech, including an emotional thankyou to his wife Beata, and departed to a standing ovation.
His speech about his son’s autism was etched on the minds of the big crowd whose celebratory noise was muted during his 10-minute story.
Mr Malone made his win unforgettable and it may well have been the defining moment for the 40under40 awards program.
As dozens of well wishers sought him out, the venue was brought back out of the trance woven by the iiNet chief’s hypnotic words by Melanie Madden-Grey under her stage name Miao Miao. Ms Madden-Grey was part of a group of all-WA acts who provided entertainment organised for the gala evening. Among them were several “wharfies” including comedian Sam Longley, and percussion ensemble Spring. Food by Heyder & Shears, wine by Wills Domain and beer by Gage Roads – whose founder Peter Nolin emerged as a winner for the evening – all of which contributed to a tremendous harbourside evening.
