The cream of Canberra’s ‘best-of-business’ crop

THE ACT winners of the 2023 Telstra Best of Business Awards are part of a national awards program that celebrates and recognises small and mediumsized businesses moving Australia forward.

Telstra Retail and Regional executive Amanda Hutton said Telstra’s long legacy of awards programs had recognised exceptional businesses for more than 25 years, providing a platform to further their success and inspire others.

“To be recognised as a state winner in the Telstra Best of Business Awards is an incredible achievement, and we hope this provides each business with a well-deserved moment of celebration for the amazing work they are doing in their community”, she said.

Selected from more than 20,000 nominations of businesses nationwide, “CityNews” spoke with some of the local winners.

Telstra Best of Business Awards as the Indigenous Excellence winner.

Evolve CEO Amy Castro said that from starting out as a team of two only five years ago, she was incredibly proud of Evolve FM’s growth, to now more than 60 employees, with a third of them indigenous.

“Evolve is Australia’s first, and only, majority indigenous-owned, full-service facilities and property management company,” said Amy.

She said the business manages more than 3.6 billion sqm (including land) of space, across 669 sites, for more than 30 clients. It offers services covering tenant representation, leasing and transaction, BI and analytics, procurement, finance, facilities management, asset management, environmental and sustainability services, and project and development services.

“This is an incredible achievement which recognises the efforts of the Evolve FM team, but also with our valued clients and business partners.

“Through these partnerships and over the last five years, Evolve FM has directed a $60 million Indigenous Procurement Policy (IPP) spend to Australian indigenous businesses, and $250 million IPP spend on The Sleeping Giant – a Supply Nation endorsed report on social, economic multipliers in indigenous communities.”

Amy said it was exciting to be creating equity through opportunity, breaking down intergenerational barriers and supporting staff.

“Directing this spend to indigenous business enables the realisation of social initiatives, granting self-determination, pride, independence and empowerment within indigenous communities and bringing us closer to our vision,” she said.

Visit evolvefm.com.au or call 6247 0229.

Winning nursing agency puts its clients first

NATIONAL Nursing Agency has been awarded the Championing Health award at the 2023 Telstra Best of Business Awards, with co-owner Lisa Walker “absolutely thrilled to have our amazing team recognised.”

“For us, it’s the focus we bring to the quality of the work we do, and the dedicated and talented team we attract. We are so honoured and proud,” she says.

Lisa says she started in aged care at 16 helping her parents in the business and now owns the business with her husband, Matthew.

“We fulfil a niche market, contracting an amazing, quality team of nurses and carers in the Canberra region.

“We are not owned by the government, we help people at a number of facilities in Canberra. The business has been in my family for 25 years.

“Our team’s ability to put our clients’ and patients’ needs first is one of our greatest assets.

Lisa says that over the past eight years she and Matthew have worked exceedingly hard to build up the business.

“This award means so much,” she says.

“We have amazing community spirit in Canberra and our team love to give back to the community by providing outstanding care.”

National Nursing Agency, 3/85 Hoskins Street, Mitchell. Call 6241 3525 or visit nationalhealthcare.com.au

As Australia’s first, and only, majority Australian Indigenous owned full-service Corporate Real Estate, Evolve FM brings a truly unique service offering. Evolve FM continues to be a radical new player in the Facilities Management industry, with over 25% Indigenous employee representation –13 times higher than indigenous representation in the Australian population.

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