Award Winners

2010 TAS Award Winners

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Telstra Tasmanian Business Woman of the Year

Jane Bennett

Ashgrove Cheeses

Jane Bennett’s career in cheese making began in 1988 when she studied dairy technology followed by two years making Farmhouse Cheese in the UK. In 1992, Jane returned to Tasmania and started work on the development of Ashgrove Cheese, which has grown to become a popular Australian cheddar cheese producer. As Managing Director, Jane is focused on growth and business management and is responsible for sales and marketing. The business has grown rapidly in the past three years with cheese sales doubling and turnover increasing by more than 220 per cent. In addition to her work in the family business, Jane acts as a mentor for food businesses in the community and has undertaken work with the Government including involvement in Food Industry Councils, Trade Policy development, Community Consultation and Telecommunications Inquiries. Her vision is to continue to grow the business as an innovative dairy manufacturer focused on creating products that meet changing consumer demands.

“I believe it is important to tell the stories of the lows as well as the highs so that people understand the real picture and are not intimidated by success.” – Jane Bennett.
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Commonwealth Bank Business Owner Award

Kristi Seymour

41 Degrees Real Estate, East Launceston

Property entrepreneur Kristi Seymour is owner and managing director of 41 Degrees Real Estate, a niche-market agency focusing on residential property sales within 10 kms of Launceston’s CBD. Between 1996, when Kristi was aged 19, and 2003, she bought, renovated and sold 18 houses. Kristi obtained her real estate sales licence in 2003 and three years later established 41 Degrees Real Estate. The business won the Real Estate Institute’s awards as Tasmania’s Best Small Residential Agency from 2007-09. Kristi says she consciously created a culture among the all-women sales team that promotes teamwork to compete with other agencies rather than internal rivalries. She says 41 Degrees Real Estate is well placed to target property buyers among professional women and emerging market segments such as Generation Y. Kristi recently diversified into commercial development by building a four-shop, two-apartment complex next to her East Launceston real estate agency.

“My decision to venture outside the limitations of conservative real estate culture has given me freedom to innovate, create a progressive culture and succeed on my own terms.” – Kristi Seymour.
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Hudson Private and Corporate Sector Award

Jane Bennett

Ashgrove Cheeses

Jane Bennett’s career in cheese making began in 1988 when she studied dairy technology followed by two years making Farmhouse Cheese in the UK. In 1992, Jane returned to Tasmania and started work on the development of Ashgrove Cheese, which has grown to become a popular Australian cheddar cheese producer. As Managing Director, Jane is focused on growth and business management and is responsible for sales and marketing. The business has grown rapidly in the past three years with cheese sales doubling and turnover increasing by more than 220 per cent. In addition to her work in the family business, Jane acts as a mentor for food businesses in the community and has undertaken work with the Government including involvement in Food Industry Councils, Trade Policy development, Community Consultation and Telecommunications Inquiries. Her vision is to continue to grow the business as an innovative dairy manufacturer focused on creating products that meet changing consumer demands.

“I believe it is important to tell the stories of the lows as well as the highs so that people understand the real picture and are not intimidated by success.” – Jane Bennett.
Book

White Pages Community and Government Award

Amanda Quealy

The Hobart Clinic

For the past 20 years Amanda Quealy has committed to the development of the health and human services sector with a goal of improving people’s quality of life. Describing herself as a change agent within the health industry, Amanda has worked in the public and corporate health sector, including managing aged care and retirement village developments in Australia and China and founding a community care business. In 2008, Amanda moved her family to Tasmania to take on the position of CEO within the Hobart Clinic – a private, not-for-profit mental health service. As CEO Amanda reports directly to the Board of Directors and is involved in all aspects of the organisation from finance and admin through to clinical care. Along with a Bachelor in Economics and a degree in Social Work, Amanda is an Associate Fellow of the Australian College of Health Service Executives and has recently completed the Australian Institute of Company Directors course in corporate governance.

“I find in practice what works best is to have a personal involvement in the change and be prepared to roll up your sleeves. It's important to ensure that staff know you are with them throughout the process.” – Amanda Quealy.
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Nokia Business Innovation Award

Robyn Lewis

VisitVineyards.com

Robyn Lewis, CEO and Founder of VisitVineyards.com from 2002, created the first aggregated online portal for the culinary tourism industry. Providing financial advantage to regional business, Robyn united more than 30,000 regional growers, wine and food producers, and accommodation hosts. This portal enables travellers to plan and maximise their visits across states boundaries. It also enhances international awareness of regional Australia and provides exclusive culinary travel experiences. Having recognised the demands from approximately 5 million visitors to Australian vineyards each year, Robyn now plans to expand her market to an additional 2.2 million motorists through her newly established alliances with the Royal Automobile Clubs of Victoria and Tasmania. The thriving business has also seen an expression of interest from Qantas Frequent Flyers. VisitVineyards.com used its brand awareness to raise $25,000 in one month for the Victorian Bushfires Appeal in 2009.

“If you believe in what you are doing and have supporting market evidence, never give up.” – Robyn Lewis.
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marie claire Young Business Women’s Award

Teena O’Keefe

Dance Fit

Tackling growing obesity among Australians, Teena O’Keefe united the concept of dance, fitness and family fun. As owner of Dance Fit since 2006, she employs six instructors and has more than 400 children enrolled and 200 adults attending classes. After abruptly closing the doors to Dance Fit in late 2009 while she overcame serious personal illness, Teena found that 95 per cent of her students returned when she reopened for business in 2010. Teena, 34, is an inspiring mentor to her instructors and students and says she strongly believes in promoting a healthy lifestyle with fun and flair. A qualified fitness instructor and winner of the Tasmanian and Australian Young Secretary of the Year in 1996-97, Teena has a keen interest in fundraising for the Cancer Council. She holds an annual event for the Relay for Life, called Teena’s Fight Club.

“I have learnt that to achieve personal success is to provide success and achievement to others.” – Teena O’Keefe.