In recognition of excellence

The WA Business News annual 40under40 Awards is among the biggest events on the Western Australian business community’s calendar, and this year’s awards certainly lived up to expectations.

More than 700 invited guests attended the black tie gala awards to toast the best and brightest young WA entrepreneurs, with winners coming from a variety of industries including economics, medicine, engineering, and property development.

In recognition of WA’s booming economy, exemplified by the volume of commercial and retail construction in the Perth CBD, this year’s unconventional venue – the Century City construction site – was the latest in a string of ambitious venues exclusively chosen for the awards.

Previous venues have included iconic landmarks such as the forecourt of Parliament House (2005), and the cargo hold of Austal ocean liner, the Osman Gazi, moored at Austal’s shipyards at Henderson (2007).

Cardiologist Dr Michelle Ammerer was awarded the top honour on the night, receiving the First Amongst Equals, which she dedicated to her late father.

Dr Ammerer is the second woman to be named First Amongst Equals in the event’s seven-year history, following on from the 2007 winner, Australian Mine Services co-founder Julie Smith-Massara.

Appointed as director of the coronary care unit at Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital at the age of 34, Dr Ammerer is currently the only female cardiologist in WA specialising in the sub-specialty of angioplasty.

In addition to her professional accomplishments, Dr Ammerer was also recognised for her pivotal role in public advocacy, working to raise the awareness of heart disease among women as director of the National Heart Foundation WA branch.

Dr Ammerer joins an honour roll of some of WA’s most successful businesspeople to be recognised for their entrepreneurial endeavours.

Previous First Amongst Equals winners include iiNet managing director Michael Malone, managing director of South West winery Wills Domain, Darren Haunold, and managing director of Azure Capital and current West Coast Eagles chairman, Mark Barnaba.