An appreciative audience of 250 filled the Art Gallery of Western Australia last night for the announcement of 2005 Family Business Australia (WA) Family Business Award winners.
An appreciative audience of 250 filled the Art Gallery of Western Australia last night for the announcement of 2005 Family Business Australia (WA) Family Business Award winners.
Moon-Haven Natural Products and Herdsman Fresh won the first- and second-generation categories, Sadleirs Transport won two awards – those for third generation and best family business employer – while Atrium Homes was named best youth in family business employer.
Prizes awarded to generational winners included a 12-month subscription to WA Business News, two tickets to the national gala awards evening in Adelaide, one return airfare to the national awards in Adelaide, a 12-month membership with FBA and framed certificates.
It was the fourth successive year that Family Business Australia and WA Business News have presented the awards, and according to chairman of judges and WABN editor Mark Pownall, the quality of the entrants is of a consistently high standard.
“It is always a tough call comparing and contrasting businesses in such varied fields. Choosing finalists and winners from this year’s entrants was as tough and arduous as ever,” he said.
“There was a lot of consistency from the panel about who the finalists should be, but the winner was not always obvious and debate around the selection of some winners was quite robust.
“One thing which struck me was adoption of family business best practice in some operations that have no intention of growing into anything bigger than a handful of people – it shows that these are sound principles which have relevance to businesses of all sizes.”
Mr Pownall’s fellow judges included Globetrotter Corporate Travel sales and marketing director Alison Petrie, TCC Group managing director Terry Ianello, UWA business school lecturer Donella Caspersz, ANZ Investment Bank director integrated capital solutions Marshall Allen, Small Business Development Corporation business facilitation services co-ordinator Jacky Finlayson, and Horwath director Mauri Mucciacciaro.
In all, 26 family businesses entered the awards, including 15 first-generation entries, four second generation and seven third-generation family businesses. The entries were judged on a number of criteria, including: the description of the business, what it does and its operating structure; family business best practice; future vision and planning; and performance and professionalism.
The winners automatically go on to compete in the national awards, which will be announced at the FBA National Conference in Adelaide last next month.
Business Review Weekly will interview winners and compile a list of the fastest growing 100 family businesses in Australia.
Past FBA award winners include Messages On Hold, TCC Group, Galvin Engineering Pty Ltd, Richard Noble and Company, Jah Roc Furniture, Gavin Construction, Harvey Beef, Sealanes (1985) Pty Ltd and Kakulas Bros.
The FBA Family Business Awards seek to celebrate the achievements of family businesses and their contribution to life, economy and culture.
