33rd Annual Ethnic Business Awards

33rd annual ethnic business awards

JOSEPH ASSAF AO CHAIRMAN & FOUNDER

Welcome to the 33rd Annual Gala Presentation Dinner.

The last two years have been challenging and unpredictable to say the least

Our Annual Gala event was postponed or cancelled due to the covid restrictions. With borders reopened and bans on travel lifted, we look forward to restarting our bridge-building exercise and to reconnect our communities globally.

We also look forward to adding more colours to a rainbow of cultures and more instruments to the sound of the orchestra

Thank you to all the instrumentalists that form part of the EBA symphony. Thank you to the judges, the members of the EBA board, the sponsors, the media partners and the 22,000 nominees who over the last 33 years have put their faith in the notion of recognising success against the odds by participating in the nomination process.

To you all, I say thank you, good luck and enjoy the evening

Assaf AO, Chairman & Founder of the EBA Foundation

Joseph

the honourable PRIME MINISTER OF AUSTRALIA ANTHONY ALBANESE MP

I extend my warmest wishes to everyone attending the 33rd Annual Ethnic Business Awards, and offer a heartfelt congratulations to this year ’ s winners and nominees.

These awards are testament to modern Australia as a strong and successful multicultural nation Joseph Assaf AO, founder of the Ethnic Business Awards, has made a towering contribution to multiculturalism In his words, there is, ‘ no harmony without diversity’

We are at our best when we are together, thriving in the diversity that is such a great national asset. It enriches our cultural life and drives our economic growth.

Amongst the nominees this evening, there’s a common story of hard work and aspiration. My message to everyone tonight is simple. If you work hard, our Government is committed to making sure you ’ re able to get ahead

So thank you to this year ’ s awardees for your contributions, spanning innovation, enterprise, and creative endeavour Your commitment to making Australia the very best it can be is a reflection of our highest ideals

Congratulations and enjoy the evening.

The Hon Anthony Albanese MP Prime Minister of Australia, November 2022

NATIONAL ANTHEM

Performed by James Doig and Lana Kains MUSICAL PERFORMANCE by James Doig and Lana Kains

WELCOME by Tracey Spicer AM WELCOME SPEECH by Joseph Assaf AO

Founder and Chairman of the Ethnic Business Awards Foundation

The Hon. Anthony Albanese MP Prime Minister of Australia

INTERVIEW

with Ray LaHood of Dar Group, former US Secretary of Transportation

PRESENTATION OF THE HENRY NGAI MEDIUM TO LARGE BUSINESS CATEGORY

Finalists Stories

BREAK FOR DINNER

SPEECH

The Hon. Tony Burke MP, Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations, Minister for the Arts and Leader of the House will present the Indigenous in Business Award Winner

SPEECH

The Hon Michael Sukkar MP, Shadow Minster for Social Services, National Disability Insurance Scheme, Housing and Homelessness will present the Small Business Award Winner

SPEECH

The Hon. Jason Clare MP, Minister for Education will present the Henry Ngai Medium to Large Business Award Winner

close of proceedings

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PICTURED: RAY PRATT OF DICE AUSTRALIA, WINNER OF THE 32ND INDIGENOUS IN BUSINESS AWARD

THE INDIGENOUS IN BUSINESS AWARD

THE INDIGENOUS BUSINESS AWARD WAS LAUNCHED IN 2010 TO RECOGNISE EXCELLENCE IN BUSINESS ENDEAVOURS BY INDIGENOUS ENTREPRENEURS THE AWARD IS OPEN TO BUSINESSES OF ALL SIZES AND FOR OVER A DECADE HAS BROUGHT MUCH ATTENTION TO THE GROWING NUMBER OF CREATIVE, DIVERSE AND INSPIRING INDIGENOUS BUSINESSMEN AND WOMEN THE FIRST OF ITS KIND AND NOW THE LONGEST RUNNING AND MOST PRESTIGIOUS

PETER EATHER EATHER GROUP

LLANDILO, NSW

Filled with an entrepreneurial spirit, Peter Eather sensed from a young age that he could do bigger and better. It was Peter’s dad, Albert “Hoss” Eather, that guided him into construction. Scoring a job with the same employer as his father, he learned the ‘old way ’ of doing business - building relationships, earning respect, and never compromising on integrity. It prepared him well for that fateful day in 2010, when, supported by his wife, Peter quit his job and registered his business with nothing but a $10,000 credit card and years ’ worth of ideas. Starting with one 1994 Mack truck and a contract to handle excavated quarry materials, Eather Group’s (EG) services today extend through transport, bulk material supply and handling, plant hire, landscaping, and waste management. The focus though, is to innovate effective ways to save and repurpose project “waste” Growing from just 3 employees in 2010 to 25 in 2022, Eather is a remarkable success story that showcases the ‘Aussie battler’ and continues to build a legacy for family and community

Cherie Johnson speaking in Colour

ADAMSTOWN, NSW

Cherie Johnson is a proud Gamilaroi and Weilwun woman who resides in Newcastle, NSW. During her time as a teacher, Cherie saw the need for Aboriginal education resources written by experienced aboriginal educators. Starting with Newcastle and Lake Macquarie regional art galleries, Cherie wrote educational resources supporting the exhibitions and gallery staff. After the birth of her two children, Cherie returned to teaching for a few years prior to establishing Speaking in Colour, which was originally founded as a company providing National Education Standards Authority (NESA) endorsed training for educators and providing cultural experiences in school. However, it has grown considerably to now offer professional development and support in the corporate, business and government sectors Run by a passionate and dynamic team, the entrepreneurial spirt of Speaking in Colour continues to thrive and be a blessing to many in the community

Indigenous in

STEVEN FORDHAM BLACKROCK INDUSTRIES

MUSSWELLBROOK, NSW

Being 25 years old, dyslexic and having a minimal understanding of how to run a business was always going to make it difficult to start a new venture However, Steven Fordham was no stranger to adversity and hard work Armed with a small tipper, $20,000 dollars and a dream, he and Glen Finnan started Blackrock Industries with the intention of creating a sustainable business while also making a difference to the community around them With 4 employees in 2016, Blackrock Industries today employs over 100 people offering services across multiple industries, including earthworks, construction, mining services, community-based programs, retail, equipment hire, labour hire, prison programs as well as government and corporate consulting services Eager to engage in new industries such as renewable energy and an expansion into overseas markets, Blackrock Industries is certainly making a big difference in the community at large

rOBBY MALLARD mALLARD CONTRACTING PTY LTD

OSBORNE PARK, WA

Robby Mallard developed his business operations from very humble beginnings as an apprentice plumber in rural Carnarvon to now running four successful businesses with offices in Perth, Carnarvon, Newman and Karratha in Western Australia Mallard Contracting which he founded in 2011 provides turnkey solutions in all areas of construction and maintenance across multiple industries, including mining and resources as well as civil and residential construction forms and demolition works. Mallard Contracting today employs over 60 people, is currently placed in the Top 20 Aboriginal businesses in WA and although he has attained numerous accolades and awards, Robby Mallard chooses to measure his success in a more unique way. Robby claims that ‘ we will be judged not by how much money we make but by how many lives we change for the better’.

PICTURED: DR VED BERANI, WINNER OF THE 32ND SMALL BUSINESS AWARD

THE SMALL BUSINESS AWARD

FOR MORE THAN THREE DECADES, THE ETHNIC BUSINESS AWARDS HAS CELEBRATED DIVERSITY AND SUCCESS AGAINST THE ODDS IN SHARING THE INCREDIBLE STORIES OF OUR MIGRANT ENTREPENEURS, THEIR STRUGGLES AND THEIR TRIUMPHS, WE MAKE THESE STORIES OUR OWN AUSTRALIAN STORIES OF MIGRANT BUSINESS SUCCESS.

DR RAJ KHILLAN WESTERN SPECIALIST CENTRE

WERRIBEE, VIC

Making the journey from India to Australia with his family in 2004, Dr Raj Khillan was filled with aspirations of a better future. That future included a driving ambition to reach the peak in his medical and professional career. It was while lecturing at the Melbourne Clinical School at Notre Dame University that Dr Raj discovered a gap in the marketplace and set about filling it. It was 2005 when Western Specialist Centre (WSC) was born. Revolutionizing the provision of multi-disciplinary healthcare, WSC is Australia’s first and only private specialist centre providing medical and health services to women and children. Growing rapidly from 2 specialists and one location in 2005, WSC now employs over 40 individuals, including 30 specialists and operates from multiple locations across Victoria with plans to expand nationally

HARRY HOANG TAILORED ACCOUNTS BRADDON, ACT

Born and raised in Viet Nam, Harry realized that if he was to fulfil his potential, he needed to get out of his comfort zone by migrating to a Western country to further his studies and career opportunities Arriving in Australia in 2005, Harry enrolled as a first year Bachelor of Economics student at the ANU in Canberra It wasn’t long before the harsh realities of being a migrant in a foreign country kicked in However, the obstacles Harry faced did not dampen his zest for life Instead, he doubled down on his efforts and following a short stint employed as a bookkeeper, Harry decided to start his own practice In 2008, Harry founded Tailored Accounts, a onestop-shop for tailored business intelligence services From a simple bookkeeping start-up, Tailored Accounts has grown to a team of accountants and tax specialists with offices in Canberra, Brisbane, Sydney and regional NSW. Boasting a clientele of 500+ businesses and non-profitorganisations, the future of Tailored Accounts looks bright.

KRISTEN MCPHAIL

pACHAMAMA

EARLY EDUCATION & CHILDCARE LESMURDIE, WA

Kristen McPhail left the USA for Australia in 1987 with empty pockets and a suitcase overflowing with a broken soul However, despite the challenges she faced growing up, Kristen carried with her a heart full of hope and a will to make something of herself Following 25 years of executive roles in the financial industry, Kristen’s entrepreneurial spirit drove her to explore an opportunity that would allow her to freely express her creativity, knowledge and leadership In mid-2012, the Pachamama group of companies was created with an aim to teach children to value the environment and diversity while building resilience, confidence and life skills Fast forward 10 years and through sheer determination, persistence and passion, the business has grown exponentially. From 6 employees in 2012 to 57 in 2022, the Pachamama group of companies is changing the paradigm of childcare across Australia.

SANJAY SETHI KISMET MECHANICAL

LEICHHARDT, NSW

When Sanjay Sethi arrived in Australia in 1989 at the age of 26, he had a vision that incorporated hard work, resilience and success. Starting out as a taxi driver, Sanjay had an appetite for entrepreneurship and decided to expand his operation by developing a fleet of 165 taxis under his management over the next 15 years In 2012, Sanjay recognized a great opportunity in the market for a reliable, well-priced, auto mechanic business that operated 24/7 in order to service the thousands of taxis on Sydney’s roads at any one time Kismet Mechanical was launched and since then has gone from strength to strength, boasting over 39,000 customers including some of Australia’s largest corporate fleet vehicles as well as recognized global brands With vertical growth opportunities and an eye on franchising the business, the future of Kismet Mechanical is only just starting to rev up

HENRY NGAI MEDIUM TO

LARGE BUSINESS

NEIL SALIGRAMA

1BILL HOLDINGS

MELBOURNE, VIC

While the devastating 9/11 attacks took place in the USA, the impact was felt much more broadly. For Neil Saligrama it changed the employment landscape for software engineers dramatically in his home country of India. With career prospects in the field at an all time low, Neil and his family felt the best option would be to further his studies in a Western country. In July 2002, Neil arrived in Melbourne, Australia ready, willing and able to do all that it took to make himself a success story and repay the sacrifices made by his parents With debt and responsibilities weighing on his shoulders, Neil was forced to balance work, study and finances carefully Following several years working for start-ups in the tech space, Neil made the courageous decision to venture out on his own Seeing a gap in the market, Neil established a company specialising in comparison and connecting utility services Founding the company in 2010 with just 2 employees, today 1Bill has saved over $100 million dollars in bills for its clients, has connected over 800,000 services, employs over 150 people and operates across Australia and New Zealand with future ambitions to expand into North America and Asia

EARLY LEARNING CENTRES

sHAN KUO & MIKE WU AVENUES & LITTLE LANE HAWTHORN, VIC

When Shan Kuo emigrated to Australia with her family from Taiwan, she was forced to grow up much quicker than most other 10-year-olds. However, in pursuit of a better education and a life of opportunities Shan came to understand the reasons behind the decision. Following her graduation and marriage to Mike, together they chased a dream. Leaving the security of stable employment, they went all in, with the help of family and financial institutions to start their journey in the early learning and childcare industry. Avenues and Little Lane Group of early learning centres started from humble beginnings with one centre in Runcorn, Brisbane and now operates 19 centres across Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney. Providing high quality education and care to over 2,800 children daily and now employing over 850 people nationwide, Avenues and Little Lane Group has transformed the early learning landscape one child at a time, with future ambitions of operating over 50 centres nationwide.

HENRY NGAI MEDIUM TO

LARGE BUSINESS

CHARLIE SHAHIN AO PEREGRINE CORPORATION PTY LTD

KENSINGTON PARK, SA

War is unfortunately one of the realities of human history and for Charlie Shahin AO and his family, its devastating impact hit close to home. Born in Lebanon as a Palestinian refugee following the 1948 Arab-Israeli conflict, Charlie and his family had no option other than hard work, humility and hope to make the most of their situation. With an opportunity arising to migrate to Australia in 1984, Charlie’s family decided to take a leap of faith with little more than a dream for a better future. Settling in Adelaide, the struggles of a migrant’s life began to take its toll. With no job and limited funds, Charlie’s father, Fred, made the decision to purchase a service station with an adjoining house on the property Starting with 3 employees, including Charlie, the Shahins got to work growing the business By 1988 they had established 3 service stations and 2 gift shops, and over the coming years the business grew rapidly Today, under Charlie’s stewardship and 6,000 employees nationally, Peregrine Corporation owns and operates 170 service stations across Australia; 11 Subway / Hungry Jack stores; 9 Krispy Kreme stores and 224 gift sites With a turnover of almost $3 billion dollars, Peregrine is one of the largest private companies in Australia and the largest private employer in SA

GINA CAM YEN DANG SSS STRAWBERRIES

LEICHHARDT, NSW

Fleeing Vietnam by boat after several failed attempts, the Dang family made it to Indonesia and remained there for 4 years in a refugee camp. It wasn’t until 1994 that Gina Cam Yen Dang and her family arrived in Perth, Australia where the land was heaven, but life was hard. With no language, no support system but a strong work ethic, the Dang’s banded together to make the most of their new opportunity Gina’s parents landed jobs as pickers and packers on strawberry farms prior to taking a leap of faith and purchasing their own farm in the year 2000 All seven children including Gina toiled the land each day after school and on weekends to help turn a profit This was the birth of SSS strawberries – ‘Seven Successful Siblings’

Two decades later and a relocation to Bundaberg, QLD and today SSS Strawberries has become an award-winning strawberry grower cultivating over 250 acres and employing around 350 staff to be among the top three strawberry producers in Australia

TRACEY SPICER AM

Tracey Spicer is a multiple Walkley Award winning author, journalist and broadcaster who has anchored national programs for ABC TV and radio, Network Ten and Sky News She is the inaugural national conveyor of Women in Media

In 2019 she was named the NSW Premier's Woman of the Year, accepted the Sydney Peace Prize alongside Tarana Burke for the Me Too Movement, and won the national award for Excellence in Women's Leadership through Women & Leadership Australia.

in 2018, Tracey was chosen as one of the Australian Financial Review's 100 Women of Influence, winning the Social Enterprise and Not-For-Profit category. For her 30 years of media and charity work, Tracey has been awarded the Order of Australia

The EBA Foundation are grateful for Tracey's long-standing support and commitment to the Foundation

"For several years I have been privileged to MC these awards and with every new year, I become more committed to the values and messages that these awards champion Our world needs good role models We need stories of resilience and persistence We need genuine and honest accounts from entrepreneurs, not just the overnight success tales from the media The EBA Foundation brings us this and much more "

SIR PETER COSGROVE

AK, AC (MIL), CVO, MC (Retd)

Born into an Army family, Peter Cosgrove attended Waverley College in Sydney before graduating from the Royal Military College Duntroon in 1968. His first deployment was in Malaysia with the 1st Battalion RAR and later in Vietnam he commanded an infantry platoon He served as Commander of INTERFET in East Timor in 1999 overseeing that country’s transition to independence Then promoted to Chief of Army and later Chief of the Australian Defence Force.

He retired from the ADF in 2005 serving on several boards before becoming a Knight in the Order of Australia when sworn in as GovernorGeneral in 2014 and serving until June 2019 Sir Peter was appointed a Commander of the Royal Victorian Order by Her Majesty the Queen in August 2019

In retirement, he remains involved with defence, health and other charitable organisations In January 2020 Sir Peter accepted the voluntary role as chairman of the Business Council of Australia’s Community Rebuilding Initiative in response to the 2019/20 bushfires, leading a group of eminent business and community leaders to work with government and the community in the rebuilding process.

EVE CRESTANI

Eve Crestani is an experienced Chairman, NonExecutive Director and Business Consultant. She qualified in law, and has 30 years ’ 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 Chairman of Acorn Capital, and a Director of Australian Unity Investment Real Estate Limited, Booking com, Heathley Real Estate Investment Trust and has previously been Chairman of Mercer Super and a long-serving 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

Eve has been a judge since 1999

our judges

Adam goodes

Dual Brownlow Medallist, dual premiership player, fourtime 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

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

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

Allan gyngell ao

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.

The board of directors of the eba

foundation ltd Mr Joseph Assaf AO, Chairman

Mr Tony Abbott AC

Mr Tony Geagea

Mr Sunny Ngai

Dr Van Minh Nguyen

Mr

Secretary

Marko Franovic

of the Board - Mr Daniel Assaf