The finalists of the 2007 Telstra Western Australian Business Awards are:
Australian Government Micro-Business Award (open to businesses with five employees or fewer);
DesignShop (Australia), Success
Ebiz Solutions, Eaton
Pemberton Discovery Tours, Pemberton
SCOPE Vision, The Vines
Smart Burn Pty Limited, Gelorup
Workwise Advisory Services, Bunbury
MYOB Business Award (open to businesses with more than five employees but less than or equal to 20);
Capital Partners Financial Consulting Pty Ltd, Perth
Flying Flowers, O'Connor
GOLDFIELDS CRANE HIRE, West Kalgoorlie
HOTWELD fabrication, Bunbury
Market Creations Pty Ltd, Geraldton
Squirty Hydraulic & Mechanical, Boulder
Panasonic Australia Business Award (open to businesses with more than 20 employees, but less than or equal to 50);
Ausnet Real Estate Services Ltd, Scarborough
Australian Pressure Testing Services, Henderson
Quick Corporate Australia Pty Ltd, Belmont
WAVE Engineering, Bunbury
Hudson Business Award (open to businesses with more than 50 employees, but less than or equal to 100);
AVKO Mining Pty Ltd, West Kalgoorlie
CCR Group, Bunbury
GOLDEN EAGLES AIRLINES, Port Hedland
Imaging the South, Bunbury
The Message Group, East Perth
TSG KEY GROUP, Henderson
See below for profiles:
Australian Government Micro Business Award
DesignShop (Australia)
DesignShop (Australia) is an online graphic design service supplying promotional
products and business artwork to companies with a limited marketing budget.
Established in 2004, the business is providing over 1000 registered users with access to
unique software tools to assist in designing stationery, brochures, websites, signs and
advertisements. Initial online use of DesignShop (Australia) is free, with businesses
subsequently offered wholesale print pricing discounts. DesignShop (Australia) also
offers an email and telephone support team and offline consultancy services.
DesignShop (Australia) recently opened offices in Brisbane and Perth, with plans to
expand nationally.
Ebiz Solutions
Ebiz Solutions is an MYOB software specialist which provides an extensive range of
training, consulting and support to small to medium sized businesses. Ebiz Solutions
was established in 2001 and provides assistance to a range of clients including retail
outlets, schools, hotels, automotive repairers and property investors. With three MYOB
Certified Consultants on staff, Ebiz Solutions provides tools and training to improve
efficiency and productivity for clients using the computer software, and conducts onsite
visits to assess each client's needs, followed with monthly reviews and regular phone
and email support.
Pemberton Discovery Tours
Pemberton Discovery Tours is a nature based tour operator offering tours and education
activities in and around the Warren and D'Entrecasteaux National Parks near
Pemberton. The business was established in 2000 as a home-based enterprise with one
4WD. Today, Pemberton Discovery Tours has a shop-front office and operates two
vehicles, seven days a week. The most popular tour is an off-road 4WD adventure
through the Yeagarup sand dunes, the largest landlocked sand dune system in the
southern hemisphere. Pemberton Discovery Tours also runs environmental tours to
create awareness of the ecosystem in south west Western Australia.
SCOPE Vision
SCOPE Vision is a registered training organisation which provides nationally
recognised education programs to clients from industries including hospitality,
information technology, business, and retail. SCOPE Vision was established in 1997 to
provide programs for professional development and to improve workers' skills and has
since expanded its services to include Diplomas and Certificates. Clients range from
individuals to senior management, small business owners, industry operators,
government organisations and schools. SCOPE Vision has formed strategic partnerships
with interstate specialist training companies to allow it to expand its service offerings
around the country.
Smart Burn Pty Ltd
Smart Burn Pty Ltd manufactures and distributes a product which reduces smoke haze
and emissions from domestic wood heaters. The product, SmartBurn, contains non toxic
natural ingredients and is designed to reduce emissions from chimneys by up to 50 per
cent. Smart Burn was established as a home-based business with two staff in 2003, and
now supplies 193 outlets across Australia. Since 2005, SmartBurn has prevented
approximately 210 tonnes of smoke haze and particulate emissions from entering the
atmosphere. By 2009, SmartBurn aims to reduce smoke haze and emissions by 1000
tonnes.
Workwise Advisory Services
Workwise Advisory Services is a specialist advisory and advocacy service representing
employers in industrial relations matters and mediation. Based in Bunbury, Workwise
Advisory Services was established in 2000, and also provides consultation in human
resource management, employee relations and occupational health and safety training.
Clients range from trade and professional service businesses to medium sized
companies with large numbers of employees. Workwise Advisory Services provides
emergency assistance 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and also coordinates yearround
information seminars and presentations to clients on changes in industrial
relations and occupational health and safety legislation.
MYOB Business Award
Capital Partners Financial Consulting Pty Ltd
Capital Partners Financial Consulting Pty Ltd is a financial advisory firm which
constructs tailored wealth management plans for clients including business owners,
high-income earners and people with inherited funds who don't necessarily have the
time or the knowledge to manage their wealth. Capital Partners Financial Consulting
appoints a 'Family Chief Financial Officer' to each client and offers a range of services
including investment management and advanced planning advice such as wealth
enhancement and asset protection. Established in 1999, Capital Partners Financial
Consulting is independent of financial institutions and financial product providers, and
currently has over 200 clients in Western Australia.
Flying Flowers
Flying Flowers delivers fresh flowers, native Australian dried flowers and gift hampers
throughout Australia and internationally to the United Kingdom, South Africa, New
Zealand, the United States and across Europe. Established in 1990, Flying Flowers was
originally a home-based and part-time venture, and has grown to service 45,000
customers on its database and purpose-built premises with five staff and seasonal
workers brought in as needed. Flying Flowers receives orders via phone, fax and email
from all over the world, and specialises in delivering Australian flowers and themed
hampers to the rest of the world.
GOLDFIELDS CRANE HIRE
GOLDFIELDS CRANE HIRE provides lifting and rigging services to the mining and
construction industries in West Kalgoorlie and the Goldfields region. Since
GOLDFIELDS CRANE HIRE was established in 1998, the business has been
consistently expanding, with at least two new cranes added to the fleet each year. The
company now owns 21 cranes which operate from four depots around Western
Australia, the largest crane hire fleet in the Goldfields region. GOLDFIELDS CRANE
HIRE also services the market with a customised underground crane, the only crane of
its kind in the region.
HOTWELD fabrication
HOTWELD fabrication is a metal engineering business which specialises in welding,
metal preparation, assembly and equipment maintenance and repairs. The business also
custom designs steel equipment and supplies, fabricating approximately 300 tonnes of
steel per year. Established in 2003, HOTWELD fabrication has a purpose-built
workshop with two cranes and nine different vehicles for onsite work, and services the
construction, agricultural, earthmoving and transport industries. Projects undertaken by
HOTWELD fabrication have included commercial buildings, manufacturing trailers,
residential housing projects and site welding. HOTWELD fabrication currently employs
eight full time staff including an apprentice.
Market Creations Pty Ltd
Market Creations Pty Ltd was the first integrated marketing services company to be
established in Geraldton. Founded in 1997, Market Creations offers public relations,
advertising, graphic design, event management, website design and publications
services to clients throughout Western Australia. Market Creations' premium service is
the development and publication of directories and holiday planners which have been
taken up by tourist destinations around the state. Market Creations is committed to the
wellbeing of its staff and have introduced a corporate health program that offers
personal fitness training during working hours.
Squirty Hydraulic & Mechanical
Squirty Hydraulic & Mechanical specialises in mine site maintenance services,
including drill equipment rebuilding, hydraulic cylinder repairs, service exchange
components and short and long term labour hire. Squirty Hydraulic & Mechanical also
designs and manufactures components to improve the way drills are operated, providing
clients with solutions to increase site efficiency and productivity. Squirty Hydraulic
Mechanical offers clients 24 hour, seven days a week technical support either on site or
over the telephone. Established in 2000, Squirty Hydraulic and Mechanical has grown
from a sole trader to employing nine staff, including six apprentices.
Panasonic Australia Business Award
Ausnet Real Estate Services Ltd
Ausnet Real Estate Services Ltd provides a range of services for buyers and sellers of
real estate in Western Australia. Ausnet Real Estate Services was established in 2001,
and operates three subsidiary companies; Ausnet Real Estate Group, a network of 27
independent real estate agents; Mortgage Solutions Australia, a mortgage advisory for
homebuyers; and Landmark Settlement Australia, who assists buyers and sellers with
conveyance services. Ausnet Real Estate Services effectively provides a one-stop option
for property buyers or sellers, and currently employs 40 staff who provide the network
with sales training, management support and bulk buying options.
Australian Pressure Testing Services
Australian Pressure Testing Services is a pressure testing and calibration laboratory that
services the construction, resources, and oil and gas industries. Established in 2001,
Australian Pressure Testing Services offer accredited calibration services for pressure
gauges, pressure recorders, pressure transducers and torque gauges to its clients
Australia-wide. Australian Pressure Testing Services currently employ 30 people, who
conduct onsite testing for clients, as well as in the workshop. Australian Pressure
Testing Services has developed a unique database program which assists clients to
remotely track and manage job progress and requirements on large scale projects.
Quick Corporate Australia Pty Ltd
Quick Corporate Australia Pty Ltd supplies office goods and services to businesses
throughout Western Australia, including stationery, computer products, canteen
supplies, furniture, cleaning goods and customised printing. Since its establishment in
1997, Quick Corporate Australia has expanded its service offering from solely
supplying canteen, cleaning and janitorial products, and has recently designed its own
customised software package to make receiving orders and supplying products more
efficient. Customers receive orders within 24 hours, with a same day service available
in metropolitan areas. Key clients are provided with Account Managers for one-on-one
service.
WAVE Engineering
WAVE Engineering was formed as a home based business in Bunbury in 1998 and has
since transformed into a national company with 40 employees and additional offices in
Perth, and Gladstone and Mackay in Queensland. Wave Engineering has over 100
clients nationwide in the mining, construction and heavy industry sectors, and provides
a range of consultation services including engineering, design and construction and
project management. To support its nationwide expansion, Wave Engineering has
developed a customised business database to facilitate internal activity and business
functions across all four offices.
Hudson Business Award
AVKO Mining Pty Ltd
AVKO Mining Pty Ltd was established in 1993 and specialises in all aspects of
underground mining, in particular shaft sinking, bulk sample excavations and ground
support. Based in West Kalgoorlie, AVKO Mining currently has operations in Western
Australia, Queensland, Victoria and New South Wales and recently excavated a
significant ore pass in Papua New Guinea. AVKO Mining also provides labour and
machinery hire services to mine sites around Australia, and encourages hands-on
training of student engineers, introducing a work experience training program for
students to enhance their skills and knowledge of underground mining.
CCR Group
CCR Group was founded in 2000 and provides skilled workers to the mining,
construction, metal fabrication and processing industries in Western Australia. Based in
Bunbury, CCR Group's personnel include boilermakers, welders, fitters, scaffolders and
various other trade services, who are employed either on a permanent part-time basis or
casually to specific projects. CCR Group currently has 85 personnel as a core labour
pool, with more than half currently employed on full time projects. CCR Group plans to
establish offices and services nationally, including in Queensland, New South Wales
and the Northern Territory.
GOLDEN EAGLE AIRLINES
GOLDEN EAGLE AIRLINES began operating in 1990, providing aviation services to
communities throughout the Pilbara and Kimberley regions in Western Australia.
GOLDEN EAGLE AIRLINES'core services include aircraft charter and maintenance,
regional airlines services and airfreight, as well as scenic flights for tourists to the area.
GOLDEN EAGLE AIRLINESoperates from four bases across the north of Western
Australia, and also transports patients for the Royal Flying Doctors Service, from three
clinics in the region. GOLDEN EAGLE AIRLINES employs over 60 staff and operates
15 single and twin engine aircraft.
Imaging the South
Imaging the South provides diagnostic imaging services to rural and remote areas
across Western Australia. With clinics in Bunbury, Busselton, Mandurah, Narrogin and
the Pilbara region, Imaging the South provides 24 hour, seven day a week radiological
reporting and consultancy, and the opportunity for clinicians and specialists to view
diagnostic images in real-time through a computer uplink. Established in 1995, Imaging
the South was originally operated by a single radiologist and has grown to employ over
70 staff including specialist radiologists, media imaging technicians and nursing staff.
The Message Group
The Message Group was established in 1988, and provides scripted audio messages to
businesses to play to callers waiting on hold. Based in East Perth, with a second office
in Singapore, The Message Group currently has over 11,000 clients around the world
and records tailored marketing messages in English, Mandarin, Malay, Thai and
Cantonese. Initially a spare bedroom project, The Message Group currently operates
from a purpose built facility with seven production studios. Recently, The Message
Group has diversified its business into luxury property rentals, digital signage and
advertising and corporate services and seminars.
TSG KEY GROUP
TSG KEY GROUP provides a range of engineering, manufacturing and consulting
services to the mining, construction and marine sectors. Based in Henderson, TSG KEY
GROUP is made up of two separate divisions; Key Group Engineering, which is
responsible for manufacturing-based services such as on-site plant maintenance, ship
repair and precision engineering, and TSG which provides project management and
consulting expertise. With two separate divisions, TSG KEY GROUP is able to deliver
a wide range of services to its clients Australia-wide and internationally, without having
to outsource. TSG KEY GROUP currently employs 83 staff, including a number of
apprentices.
