Familiar names in winners’ circle

BUSINESSES from Carnarvon and Karratha have scooped the pool at this year’s GWN Western Australian Regional Small Business Awards.

Karratha hire car company McLaren Hire, owned by Sean and Lisa Clarke, was named the 2010 regional small business of the year.

Mr and Mrs Clarke were 2010 WA Business News 40under40 Award winners.

McLarens Hire boasts 500 vehicles and the widest fleet range of hire vehicles in the Pilbara.

It has a number of major clients, including Chevron.

“The north of the state was the big winner this year, with five out of seven category winners coming from Carnarvon and Karratha,” Commerce Minister Bill Marmion said.

“This year’s winners are the cream of the crop and show how resilient and resourceful the small business sector is in WA.

“Representing a broad range of industries, the finalists and winners should be very proud of their achievements.”

The 2010 inductee to the Western Australian Regional Small Business Hall of Fame was Barrie Stearne of Esperance.

Other winners included Terra Temptations – Bumbak’s Preserves and Icecreams, and Fish & Whistle Backpackers/Port Hotel, which are based in Carnarvon.

Karratha-based Harvey World Travel and Portaccomm SX5 Building Systems also won awards.

Bunbury-based Timbercheck Truss & Frame won the business achiever award.

Geraldton’s Southside Mechanical Services won the WA Business News award for best business with five to 10 employees.

Meanwhile, the Retail Traders’ Association 2010 Retail Awards were also presented this week.

A 24-year-old Coffee Club assistant manager, Tanya-Marie den Boer, won the inaugural young retailer of the year award.

Ms den Boer’s employer, The Midland Gate Coffee Club, received the retail service award.

The five other retailers presented awards at a gala dinner were: Scarfo’s Meating Place in Myaree; Howard’s Storage World in Cannington; Morrison in Fremantle; and T-Sharpe & Co in Perth.