EBA 2019 Awards Programme by EthnicBusinessAwards

31 ETHNIC BUSINESS AWARDS ST

2019

“A successful and prosperous future demands the three qualities that are so often associated with immigrants: resilience, ingenuity and enterprise. These three qualities help us to build a bridge to the global marketplace.” Joseph Assaf

“In Someone Else’s Shoes”

JOSEPH ASSAF AO

FOUNDER & CHAIRMAN

A MESSAGE FROM THE FOUNDER The warmest of welcomes to you – our esteemed guests – as you join us tonight for the thirty-first Ethnic Business Awards Gala Dinner – the first to be organised entirely by the not-forprofit EBA Foundation. This is another milestone year for the EBA – marking ten years since we instituted the Indigenous in Business Awards which, in concert with our celebrations of migrant business, forms what I like to call our bridge to the world. Thanks to amazingly rapid developments in technology, the world is, quite clearly, getting smaller. We are uniquely placed, through our diversity and entrepreneurial skills, to maximise the opportunities that these developments present; not only to forge and maintain links in business, but also to connect culturally, socially, politically – and simply as human beings; as citizens of the world. For over 30 years now, the Ethnic Business Awards has sought to inspire new Australians in those endeavours. For ten of those years we have been blessed to have the First Peoples of Australia, our Indigenous brothers and sisters, join us in building that bridge. To all of you, my warmest thanks for your support over all these years and long may it continue.

Joseph Assaf

ORDER OF PROCEEDINGS FOUR SEASONS HOTEL SYDNEY 199 GEORGE STREET 28 OCTOBER 2019

SCOTT MORRISON

PRIME MINISTER OF AUSTRALIA Australia is the most successful multicultural nation in the world. Together, we have chosen to be defined not by a common ethnicity or background, but by our shared values of acceptance, kindness and respect. Tonight’s awards celebrate all that is happy, hopeful, energising and inspiring about the migrant stories that enrich and enlarge our national life. They also celebrate the ambition and drive that go into building a business, and the deep generosity that sees its fruits given back to families and communities. For more than 30 years, the Ethnic Business Awards have shone a bright light on extraordinary talent, effort and determination that is within our country, and on the amazing journeys that have contributed so much to who we are. This year, I especially commend your new status as a notfor-profit foundation, reflecting your founding purpose of strengthening our social fabric and our cultural inheritance. The contribution of migrants over many generations, along with the enduring contribution of our Indigenous people, have made us the wonderful country that we are today: a beacon of hope for the world. The Ethnic Business Awards are an opportunity for us to celebrate the achievements of those honoured tonight and shine a light on the successful multicultural story that is Australia. I extend my best wishes to you all for a wonderful evening.

NATIONAL ANTHEM by Jessica di Bartolo PERFORMANCE by Hinterlandt WELCOME by Tracey Spicer AM INTERVIEW with Adam Goodes, EBA Foundation Judge WELCOME SPEECH by Joseph Assaf AO, Founder and Chairman of the Ethnic Business Awards Foundation ADDRESS BY GUEST OF HONOUR The Hon Scott Morrison MP, Prime Minister of Australia PRESENTATION of the Indigenous in Business Category Finalists PERFORMANCE by Jessica di Bartolo INTERVIEW with Geoff Wild AM, Chairman of Arab Bank Australia PRESENTATION of the Small Business Category Finalists

The Hon Scott Morrison MP Prime Minister of Australia

ORDER OF PROCEEDINGS FOUR SEASONS HOTEL SYDNEY 199 GEORGE STREET 28 OCTOBER 2019

MENU DRINK SPARKLING WINE Rothbury Estate Sparkling Cuvée WHITE WINE Rothbury Estate Semillon Sauvignon Blanc

INTERVIEW with Tony Geagea, Founder and Executive Director Ethan Group

RED WINE Rothbury Estate Shiraz Cabernet

PRESENTATION

BEERS Crown Lager Cascade Premium Light

of the Henry Ngai Medium to Large Business Category Finalists INTERVIEW with Senator Zed Seselja, Assistant Minister for Finance, Charities & Electoral Matters

LIGHT REFRESHMENTS Orange juice, soft drinks & mineral water

DINNER BREAK

ENTRÉE

PERFORMANCE

CONFIT OCEAN TROUT Quinoa, citrus vinaigrette, lumpfish roe, horseradish (GF)

by Jessica di Bartolo

MAIN

SPEECH AND ANNOUNCEMENT OF INDIGENOUS IN BUSINESS AWARD WINNER The Hon. Tony Burke MP

MT. COOK SALMON Served with olive oil, crushed potato, fennel, capers and tomato salsa (GF) SERVED ALTERNATELY WITH

SPEECH AND ANNOUNCEMENT OF SMALL BUSINESS AWARD WINNER The Hon. Michael Sukkar MP SPEECH AND ANNOUNCEMENT OF HENRY NGAI MEDIUM TO LARGE BUSINESS AWARD WINNER The Hon. David Coleman MP

GRASS FED STRIP LOIN Served with potato cave-aged gruyère gratin, broccolini, shiraz jus (GF)

DESSERT CHEESECAKE TART Served with berry compote and macaron + cream COFFEE AND TEA Served with a selection of home made chocolates

The Australian Government is a proud sponsor of the Ethnic Business Awards Foundation. Celebrating diversity and the enormous contribution multiculturalism brings to our nation.

FINALISTS INDIGENOUS IN BUSINESS CATEGORY

FINALISTS

INDIGENOUS IN BUSINESS CATEGORY

FINALISTS

INDIGENOUS IN BUSINESS CATEGORY Troy Rugless and Shane Jacobs are Wiradjuri cousins born two days apart and raised like brothers. Their family story vividly encapsulates the pain and struggle typically found at the heart of the Stolen Generation era. Growing up in a family of mixed race and backgrounds wasn’t always easy, however, Troy realised the importance of family and treating those around them right. In 2011, Troy established what is today called PSG Holdings with his cousin Shane, a construction and cleaning services delivery business which aims to ‘achieve reconciliation through business’. In eight years the company has grown to become one of the largest Indigenousowned businesses in Australia, employing 160 people and an annual turnover of approximately $60 million. With its sights set on international expansion and floating on the ASX, the future looks bright for PSG.

KATINA LAW

IPS MANAGEMENT CONSULTANTS It is a great honour to be chosen as a finalist in the EBA 2019. To have IPS Management Consultants recognised for our achievements over the past four years of operations is a testament to our team of hardworking and professional staff. In particular I would like to acknowledge directors Damien Chalk, Kristal Kinsela-Christie and Jahna Cedar for their dedication and support.

Raised in Derby, from Worora and Walmajarri families, Katina Law worked closely with a range of Indigenous people in the early part of her career, especially in the mining industry. Over time, Katina became acutely aware of the challenges facing Indigenous businesses trying to sustain themselves as meaningful players in the mainstream economy. Driven by a passion to help and create opportunities for other Indigenous professionals, Katina established IPS Management Consultants in 2015, with a focus on delivering innovative business consulting services to a range of organisations and government departments alike. In four short years, IPS has grown from 3 to 22 full-time staff and a remarkable 1,400% increase in annual turnover.

TROY RUGLESS PSG HOLDINGS

Being nominated as a finalist in the 2019 Ethnic Business Awards celebrates our successes in building a company which is rich in diversity. Our vision at PSG Holdings is to achieve reconciliation through business, a very practical concept of working together to find opportunities for Indigenous economic advancement. The vast array of businesses represented at the 2019 Ethnic Business Awards demonstrates the contribution of many businesses in developing and growing the Australian economy. Together, we can make a difference. Good luck to all the finalists, may you and your companies continue to prosper.

FINALISTS

INDIGENOUS IN BUSINESS CATEGORY

NARELLE ANDERSON

FINALISTS

INDIGENOUS IN BUSINESS CATEGORY Steven Fordham is a proud 27-year-old Kamilaroi man from Muswellbrook. At the age of 13, Steven was told he was going to die due to a benign polyp found in the middle of his brain. Having survived this early scare, Steven made a commitment to live life to the fullest, not allowing anything to hold him back, while helping those around him. Following several years as a boilermaker, Steven decided to go out on his own and in 2016 he decided to establish Blackrock Industries with business partner Glen Finnan. With $20,000 between them, an old tipper truck and 2 employees, Blackrock Industries entered the mining sector by providing earthworks, demolition, fencing, construction and labour hire services. Three years on and the company has increased its annual turnover by 400% and now employs almost 100 people, many through an inmate program, ‘Second Chance for Change’, providing Indigenous inmates a second chance at life.

ENVIROBANK RECYCLING I feel very honoured to be acknowledged for our work. We see waste as a currency and that currency changes lives – we simply dream about cleaning up the country and providing opportunities wherever we go internally and externally.

As a young girl Narelle Anderson was paid $6 per week by the Australian Government to attend school. It was this payment which first made her aware of her Indigenous heritage. After getting her first job at the age of 14 and leaving school at 16, Narelle’s grit and resilience saw her build a successful career in the waste and recycling industry, firstly with CBD recycling services which she sold and then with Envirobank which she started in 2007 using the $2 million she made from CBD’s sale. Today, Narelle employs about 100 staff with Envirobank’s turnover doubling from $10 million in 2017 to $20 million in 2018 . Proud of her Indigenous heritage, Narelle aims to inspire other Indigenous entrepreneurs, especially young Aboriginal girls in community, to get up and give it a go, because with hard work and determination, “anything is possible”.

STEVEN FORDHAM

BLACKROCK INDUSTRIES They say my people came from the Dreamtime; but this feels like my dream time. My life has been on such a journey from the time I was a kid to where my life is now. We would not have achieved what we have without the support of our staff who are part of this dream. The opportunities Blackrock Industries gives to not only me and my business partner, but my mob also is very rewarding. This award means a lot to us; not for the bragging rights but to be recognised for our achievements and all the hard work our team puts in each and every day. This award showcases these achievements.

PROUDLY SUPPORTING THE EBA FOUNDATION

FINALISTS SMALL BUSINESS CATEGORY

We are very proud to be supporters of the EBA Foundation and share the vision. Construction Consultants have become one of the most highly respected project management and quantity surveying companies in Australia EBA WINNERS 2018

FINALISTS

SMALL BUSINESS CATEGORY

DR MAJEDA AWAWDEH

SMALL BUSINESS CATEGORY In 1995, at the age of 18, Yoshinori Sakumo was flung into the air as he woke to the most terrifying magnitude 7.0 earthquake in his homeland of Japan. It was an experience that literally rocked his world and ignited in him a desire to do something meaningful with his life. Following a short work stint in the United States where he met his Australian wife, Yoshinori migrated to Australia in 2009. It was at this point that he decided that he wanted to start a business that leveraged his connections in Japan to bridge the country to the rest of the world. With $100 cash, a rickety table in a rented Camperdown apartment and a vision, doq® was established. A specialist cross-cultural marketing agency, assisting Japanese brands to adapt their marketing for the APAC region and vice-versa, doq® has grown exponentially to a staff of 15 and 30% year on year revenue growth.

GLOBAL EDUCATION ACADEMY I am proud to live in a country where migrants have such opportunities. To be recognised and acknowledged is such a huge feeling of satisfaction and gratitude. And I thank EBA for recognising this. I am so honoured to be a finalist. I believe every small business owner is a winner 7 days a week, 52 weeks a year. If my story can inspire one girl/woman/migrant or non-migrant who is in hardship, I call myself a winner.

From a small village near Nazareth to the bustling suburb of Kogarah, in Sydney’s south, Dr. Majeda Awawadeh left Israel for Australia at the age of 35 to pursue a Ph.D scholarship focusing on Cognitive Load Theory at The University of New South Wales. With little grasp of the English language, a new culture and no money, Majeda was forced to work, complete a PhD and raise three children all on her own. However, she knew deep down that education was going to be her passport to freedom. This same intuition shaped her dream to empower children through education. In 2011, Majeda established a humble tutoring centre called Global Tutoring, however, by 2013 the company had evolved into Global Education Academy (GEA) – an institution focused on transformational learning and ‘teaching for understanding’. Currently servicing hundreds of students across multiple NSW locations, GEA holds ambitious growth plans to inspire future thought leaders nationally. 14

YOSHINORI SAKUNO DOQ

To be a finalist is the result of all the people I have met, connected and shared a passion with for the last decade of my life since I moved to Australia. My vision of “creating a bridge between Japan and the rest of the world through innovation and marketing” could not have been possible without all of the many people who shared this dream with me and helped build it into reality, piece by piece. Australia; this place that I now call home, is made up of people who are open minded to different ideas and values, and have the ability to push on in the face of challenge, to come together as a community and a team. I look forward to building even stronger bridges between Australia and Japan in the next decade.

FINALISTS

SMALL BUSINESS CATEGORY

WAYNE QUACH

PINE CREEK MANGO PLANTATION

FINALISTS

SMALL BUSINESS CATEGORY In 1991, Charles Qin arrived in Australia with no money and no job. With a simple idea of doing something connected to China and language, he embarked on postgraduate study in translation/interpreting at Deakin University and started running private Chinese language classes. When Charles thought about establishing a business connected to China, it was met with much pessimism, as China was not on Australia’s radar back then. With a vision and self-determination to boot, Charles established Chin Communications in 1992 against all odds. 27 years on, Chin Communications is now Australia’s largest Language and Intercultural Communication Services Firm specialising in Chinese. With 17 full-time staff and multiple awards, Chin is seen as a critical link for governments and businesses engaging with China and the Chinese community in Australia.

As someone who fled his own country in the midst of war by boat, with nothing, it is amazing to find myself where I am today as a finalist for an EBA in 2019. It means that my blood, sweat and tears are more than just that; they are the foundations of success. It means that my hard work and effort isn’t mine alone, and is shared with my family, friends, coworkers and employees. I am an entrepreneur in order to support those that I love but I never imagined that my passions would bring me here. It is such an honour to be considered one of the top contenders for such an EBA. Wayne Nguyen Quach officially set roots in NT, Australia in 2015. Fleeing post-war Vietnam at the tender age of 17, Wayne left all behind and emigrated to the USA as a refugee. It was in the US that Wayne set out to build a family and a better life. Achieving both goals, it was as an educational software sales consultant that Wayne and his wife would travel regularly to and from Australia for work before realising that the Northern Territory represented an extraordinary opportunity for agricultural investment. Wayne established Darwin Sun Industries in 2003 as a tropical fruit producer, prior to purchasing Pine Creek Mango Plantation in 2016. Considered one of the top producers of tropical fruits in NT and a leader in agricultural software, the company cultivates 40,000 trees across 7 locations, with plans to expand export markets to the USA, Europe and Asia. 16

PROF. LUSHAN CHARLES QIN OAM CHIN COMMUNICATIONS

Last year we celebrated 200 years of Chinese migration to Australia. Chinese are amongst Australia’s earliest migrants and throughout those 200 years, cultural understanding and language have been key to successful integration and economic wellbeing. I thank my adopted country for giving me the opportunity to contribute and to help underpin the all-important Australia-China relationship. I thank the Ethnic Business Awards for what you do in celebrating diversity and the contributions of migrants thereby creating deeper understanding.

Proudly Supporting

PROUD SUPPORTERS OF THE EBA FOUNDATION IN 2019

FINALISTS THE HENRY NGAI MEDIUM-LARGE BUSINESS CATEGORY

WINNER OF MEDIUM-LARGE WINNERS OF THE HENRY NGAI ETHNIC BUSINESS AWARD MED-LRG BUSINESS AWARD I N2 0 21071 7

REMEMBERING THE LATE HENRY NGAI OAM Henry Kei Shing Ngai OAM was born in China in 1946. From the beginning, Henry worked hard to earn what he had. Henry often spoke about his first job when he would follow his father who rode a bike while collecting used soft drink bottles to be recycled, assisting him in any way possible. In 1985, Henry migrated with his family to Australia with the intention of starting his own business. It was here that he established ABC Tissue. Far from the billion dollar tissue empire that we see today, employing 700 Australians nationally, Henry started ABC Tissue out of his Bankstown garage, loading and unloading trucks by hand with two staff, his three children and, as he would often mention, his grade 2 education. Those who knew Henry, knew that his love of business was only trumped by his love of family, although they were often interlinked as with all family businesses. Firstly, Henry was a diligent and faithful husband to his wife Jenny, with whom he was inseparable. Secondly, Henry was the father of three children and in turn eight grandchildren, to whom he insisted on instilling in them the values that he lived by. Henry had an overwhelming commitment to “giving back”. When it came to his philanthropic work, Henry applied his business acumen and connections to stretch his dollar further. Not satisfied with simply donating his money to organisations, Henry established his own charitable foundations. His vision was to go directly to manufacturers and medical care providers

and ask them to help him to help others. To this point, Henry’s philanthropic work during his lifetime has resulted in the personal donation of 864,000 hearing aids, 105,000 cataract operations, 1.26 million winter jackets, 529,000 reading glasses and sunglasses, 697 tonnes of rice and 9 million dollars in cash donations throughout 15 nations globally. Henry also looked to his own backyard when it came to giving back to the country that he now called home. The long list of charities and foundations that Henry continually donated to and supported includes The Australian Red Cross, The Salvation Army, Blue September and multiple hospitals. As part of his will, Henry wanted his legacy to be continued by his children and grandchildren and as a result he allocated a portion of his estate to be spent on charitable causes both in Australia and internationally. Henry Ngai’s tragic passing in 2018 has left his family and community in mourning for the loss of a great man. As the winner of the 2004 Ethnic Business Award for Medium to Large Business, Henry’s life’s work was further affirmed and later he was awarded the prestigious 2013 Champion of Champions Ethnic Business Award. It is tonight that we celebrate the renaming of the Medium to Large Business Award to honour the contribution that Henry has made to not only the ethnic business community but the wider Australian business community as well. It is the hope of his family that the award serves as an inspiration for those who have found success in Australia to give back to the community which has supported them.

FINALISTS

THE HENRY NGAI MEDIUM-LARGE BUSINESS

HASHEM MAHMOUD

FINALISTS

THE HENRY NGAI MEDIUM-LARGE BUSINESS It was a classic combination of instability, inspiration and a good ol’ dose of the entrepreneurial spirit that saw Sarkis Nassif go from form-worker to founder of one of Australia’s largest property development groups. With the outbreak of war in his homeland of Lebanon, Sarkis left all that he knew and arrived in Australia in 1987, with ‘no money, no degree and no background in the English language’. However, what he lacked in advantage, he made up for in ambition. Working 7 day shifts as a formworker for a meagre $60/day, Sarkis saved enough money after 7 years to purchase his first small development site which formed the foundations for Holdmark Property Group. Today, Holdmark employs thousands of people across its multiple sites and is the name behind some of NSW’s most iconic residential and commercial property precincts with projects ranging from $500 million in Majors Bay, to the $2 billion urban development at Shepherds Bay, Ryde.

REST INTERIOR

Winning this EBA reaffirms my true belief that success is not simply measured by materialistic gains, but rather a celebration of the journey in achieving your most desired outcomes.

Hashem Mahmoud landed in Australia from Lebanon in the spring of 1978, leaving behind a family and country devastated by the physical, social and psychological effects of a soul-wrenching civil war. Arming himself with the timeless qualities of resilience, courage and a conviction to succeed against all odds, Hashem sustained numerous blows of adversity prior to achieving great success. In 1985, Hashem established Easy Rest, focusing on commercial & residential architectural joinery and by 1996, he created Rest Interior, an extension to the business, providing complete project management services including commercial fitouts. From a 700m² factory and 3 employees in 1985, the company today boasts a 7,000m² state-of-the-art facility, employing 150 employees and is recognised as one of Australia’s Top 10 leaders in its industry.

SARKIS NASSIF HOLDMARK

I want to sincerely thank the EBA for affording me this honour, to be in the finals is a very humbling moment. When I look back at my journey as a migrant to Australia, it had its ups and downs, but I cannot stress enough how incredibly grateful I am to call myself an Australian citizen. I imagine life wouldn’t be the same if I had chosen to work elsewhere. Australia provided me with the perfect environment of freedom and opportunity and it has been and always will be, my goal to give back to Australia and to be able to provide opportunities to other migrants and Australian citizens alike.

FINALISTS

THE HENRY NGAI MEDIUM-LARGE BUSINESS

BASIR ABBASS

ACCENT ALUMINIUM WINDOWS AND DOORS

FINALISTS

THE HENRY NGAI MEDIUM-LARGE BUSINESS When Kam and Reet Phulwani decided to leave their family and the world they knew back in India, it was the beginning of an adventure they could never have imagined. Landing at Melbourne Airport at 7pm on 23 July 2002, they were welcomed by the reality of the challenges that lay ahead. Between them, they juggled 18 hr work shifts, full-time study for a Master’s degree, mortgage repayments and rising costs of living. It was a ‘eureka’ moment, while working in pharmaceutical procurement at the Alfred Hospital that led Kam to establish Medsurge Healthcare, what is now considered one of the fastest growing family owned pharmaceutical companies in Australia. Servicing close to 1,000 hospitals and 6,500 pharmacies in Australia, Medsurge Healthcare was recently named one of Westpac’s “Top 200 Businesses of Tomorrow”.

I am truly humbled to be nominated for the Ethnic Business Awards. We have always measured our success by the impact that we make on our staff, our customers and the wider community and this nomination is a recognition of our collective efforts. The culture of Accent is centred on our values, and our commitment to beam a light of hope to all those that have none. To the migrants and refugees that land on this beautiful soil, to this, we give hope that Accent will be that shining beacon of hope and that you can all be anything that you choose to be. I am reminded by the words of a friend of mine that says that “if you can conceive it in your head, believe it in your heart, then you can achieve it in your hands. Everything is possible.”

Born in Afghanistan in 1961, Basir Abbass and his family were forced to flee their homeland following extreme pressure from the Soviet Union invasion in 1979. Arriving in Australia, Basir was immediately confronted with the hardships that come from being thrust into the unknown. From a foreign land, to a foreign language, a foreign culture and foreign ways of doing business, it took a fresh perspective and a grand vision for Basir Abbass to set out and make a better life for his family. Starting out as a truck driver for Accent Aluminium Windows and Doors, Basir’s incredible work ethic and astute business acumen saw him transform and grow the company to new heights. In 2007, he bought a 50% equity stake, before becoming sole owner of the company in 2012, employing 70 people across Victoria and realising 20% - 30% year-on-year growth to date. 26

KAM & REET PHULWANI MEDSURGE HEALTHCARE

Being a finalist for EBA in 2019 is a matter of pride for us and we take this opportunity to celebrate our business success, the recognition which comes with it will surely inspire other migrants. It also gives us an opportunity to meet other businesses and increase our personal and professional network.

JUDGES

MAJOR GENERAL THE HONOURABLE MICHAEL JEFFERY

EVE CRESTANI

AC, AO (Mil), CVO, MC (Retd)

Major General Jeffery was born in Wiluna WA in 1937 and educated at Kent Street High School and the Royal Military College, Duntroon. He graduated into Infantry and served operationally in Malaya, Borneo, and Vietnam, where he was awarded the Military Cross and the South Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry. After command of all combat elements of the Army from platoon to division – including the Special Air Service Regiment – he retired in 1993 to assume the appointment of Governor of Western Australia, which he held for almost seven years. His major interests during his tenure were in youth affairs, education, environment and the family. For his services to the State he was appointed a Companion in the Order of Australia, a Commander of the Royal Victorian Order and a Citizen of Western Australia. On his retirement as Governor in 2000, he established in Perth, a not-for-profit strategic research institute – Future Directions International (FDI) – whose objective is to examine longer term issues facing Australia. On 20 December 2000, he was awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Technology by Curtin University. On 11 August 2003, he was sworn in as the twenty-fourth Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia, serving in that capacity until 5 September 2008. Upon his retirement as Governor-General, he served as Chairman of the Royal Flying Doctor Service, Outcomes Australia, The Global Foundation, the Constitution Education Fund Australia, the Diamond Jubilee Trust Australia and the Australian Trachoma Alliance. He was appointed the National Advocate for Soil Health in 2013 by Prime Minister Gillard and is patron of various charitable organisations. He is presently the Chairman of FDI and Soils For Life. Major General Jeffery is a Companion of the Order of Logohu (PNG), a Knight of St John, a Paul Harris Fellow and an honorary life member of the Returned and Services League.

Eve Crestani is an experienced Chairman, Non-Executive Director and Business Consultant. She qualified in law, and has 28 years of experience as a Non-Executive Director and Chairman, and as chairman of multiple board committees. She has deep experience in the governance of complex and highly regulated businesses, strategy development, risk management, financial management and transformation. Eve has served on a variety of boards – listed, unlisted and mutual, global and domestic. Eve is currently a Director of Australian Unity Investment Real Estate Limited, booking.com, Heathley Real Estate Investment Trust and is Chairman of Seres (Hong Kong). She has just finished her term as a Director of the Zurich Group, has previously been Chairman of Mercer Super and a longserving Director of Australian Unity. She also sits on the ASX Disciplinary Tribunal, and has been a Fellow of AICD since its inception. Her pro bono activities include being a Director of Soils For Life. Eve’s consulting career has been focused on providing strategic advice and transformation implementation to organisations such as KPMG, ING, ASX, HK Securities Institute and Fairfax Interactive. This is Eve’s twenty-first year as a judge for the Ethnic Business Awards.

JUDGES

ALLAN GYNGELL

CARLA ZAMPATTI

AC, AM

Allan Gyngell is National President of the Australian Institute of International Affairs, an Honorary Professor in the ANU’s College of Asia and the Pacific and a member of the board of China Matters. His extensive experience inside and outside government includes appointments as Director-General of the Office of National Assessments, the inaugural Executive Director of the Lowy Institute and as Foreign Policy Adviser in the office of Prime Minister Paul Keating. He began his career as an Australian diplomat serving in Asia and Washington. Allan has written and spoken widely about Australian foreign and security policy and economic relations with Asia. His most recent book “Fear of Abandonment: Australia and the World since 1942” was published in 2017. He was made an Officer In the Order of Australia for service to international relations in 2009.

Fashion icon Carla Zampatti, is one of Australia’s fashion pioneers. She has been recognised with numerous Australian and international awards for her achievements and excellence. Carla was appointed Commendatore (Commander) in the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic by the Italian Government in 2004. She was also awarded Bulletin/Qantas Businesswoman of the Year in 1994 and was named Designer of the Year by the Australian fashion industry. Carla has been a judge of the Ethnic Business Awards since its inception in 1988. Already a Member of the Order of Australia (AM), in 2009, she was awarded an AC – a Companion of the Order of Australia for her leadership in the fashion and retail sectors, for her contributions to multicultural broadcasting, and for being a role model and mentor for women.

JUDGES

ADAM GOODES

Dual Brownlow Medallist, dual premiership player, four-time All-Australian, member of the Indigenous Team of the Century and representative in the International Rules Series, Adam Goodes holds an elite place in AFL/VFL history. But his is a name that transcends the football field. Adam was named the 2014 Australian of the Year, in recognition of Adam’s community work aimed at empowering the next generation of Indigenous role models as well as his advocacy in the fight against racism. Born in South Australia, Adam moved to Victoria as a young boy and developed a passion for Australian Rules Football. Adam soon became one of the game’s leading scorers and had a much-celebrated career spanning over 17 seasons. He announced his retirement from AFL in September 2015. Adam is equally known for his involvement and leadership within the Indigenous community. In 2004 he was invited to join the National Indigenous Council (NIC). In 2009, Adam set up The Goodes-O’Loughlin (GO) Foundation with fellow Indigenous teammate Michael O’Loughlin. GO Foundation’s vision is to create a brighter future for Indigenous children through education. In 2014, he joined the board of Supply Nation. Adam’s work within the corporate world extends to advising various organisations, such as retail giant David Jones and Lend Lease, on their Reconciliation Action Plans (RAP). Adam is also passionate about the elimination of discrimination in society and advocates for the Recognise Movement along with Racism It Stops With Me campaign. Adam is an ambassador for many prominent brands including Toyota, David Jones, Qantas, Lend Lease and CMC Indigenous Services. He is also an ambassador for Woolworths and board member for Support Through Australia Natural Disasters (S.T.A.N.D). Since retiring from AFL, Adam has enjoyed investing more time in the GO Foundation and being CEO for iDiC - Indigenous Defence and Infrastructure Consortium along with getting involved in other opportunities that he is passionate about. 34

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