2012 Victorian Finalists Announced
27 Aug 2012
Victorian women growing their businesses by exporting innovation
Two women who launched successful businesses that are exporting, one healthy food products and the other expertise in preventing the progression of chronic diseases, were named today among finalists for the 2012 Telstra Victorian Business Women’s Awards.
Carolyn Creswell, Managing Director of Carman’s Fine Foods which she established 19 years ago, exports her range of muesli, porridge and snack bars to 32 countries, including Singapore, the UK and the US, and supplies Australia’s major and independent supermarkets and airlines. She said: “One of my greatest thrills was leaving a supermarket shelf in the heart of New York City groaning under the weight of our products and coming back the next morning to find the shelves empty.”
Dr Margarite Vale developed an innovative coaching program for the secondary prevention of chronic disease that now operates in Belgium and The Netherlands and is planning to expand to the UK. The COACH Program has been adopted as standard care in the Australian public health system and most private health funds. Dr Vale said: “We spent 10 years rigorously researching The COACH Program before it was rolled out into the health system. We don't just believe that it works, we know that it works.”
They are among four finalists for the Commonwealth Bank Business Owner Award.
Another finalist is dietitian, nutritionist and author Dr Susan Shepherd, whose own experience led her to create dietetics practice Shepherd Works which assists 4000 patients a year with gastro-intestinal tract conditions. She said: “When I was diagnosed with coeliac disease, the dietitian focused on everything I couldn’t eat. I walked away deflated. I decided that in my practice the patient focus would be on what could be eaten and to celebrate food.”
The fourth business owner finalist is biochemist Kim Calcatjicos, whose company Shining Knight Facility Services is a one-stop shop offering cleaning, maintenance, waste management, security and pest control.
Kate McKenzie, Group Managing Director Telstra Innovation, Products & Marketing and Ambassador of the Telstra Business Women’s Awards, said the Awards were a celebration of the enormous diversity of amazing business women in Victoria.
“For 18 years, the Awards have shone a spotlight on the achievements of inspirational women. In 2012, the 20 Victorian finalists range from women who have shown courage and determination to start and grow their own businesses to others who are influential leaders in local business and community sectors. The innovation in ideas and technology that they reveal is vital to the future of the State’s economy,” Ms McKenzie said.
Karen James, General Manager Affiliate Business Banking and Women in Focus for Commonwealth Bank, said: “In our experience the Awards alumni have embraced the responsibility of inspiring the next generation of business women to lead with confidence and to fulfil their potential. They should be very proud of their achievements.
They have generously shared their insights, expertise and learnings from their business journey with our community at womeninfocus.com.au, and we look forward to sharing more of the amazing stories behind this year’s finalists as well.”
Winners of the 2012 Telstra Victorian Business Women’s Awards will be announced at a gala luncheon on Thursday 20 September in Melbourne.
The Victorian winners proceed to the national finals of the Telstra Business Women’s Awards that will be announced in Sydney on 21 November. The winners share in $200,000 in cash and prizes split amongst the state/territory and national winners, and become part of an exclusive national business alumni with wide networking opportunities.
Finalists for the 2012 Telstra Victorian Business Women’s Awards are:
Commonwealth Bank Business Owner Award
| Kim Calcatjicos |
Shining Knight Cleaning, Cheltenham |
| Carolyn Creswell |
Carman’s Fine foods, Cheltenham |
| Dr Susan Shepherd |
Shepherd Works P/L, Box Hill North |
| Dr Margarite Vale |
The COACH Program, Melbourne |
Hudson Private and Corporate Sector Award
| Alison Crabb |
Flight Centre, Melbourne |
| Caroline Evans |
DemoPlus, Box Hill |
| Amanda Hagan |
Australian Unity, South Melbourne |
| Michelle Loader |
AHS Hospitality, Melbourne |
| Sara Pantaleo |
La Porchetta, Thomastown |
White Pages® Community & Government Award
| Susan Barton |
Lighthouse Foundation, Richmond |
| Jane Burns |
Young and Well Cooperative Research Centre, Abbotsford |
| Mandy Burns |
Ardoch Youth Foundation, St Kilda |
| Rosemary Kelada |
Spectrum Migrant Resource Centre Inc, Preston |
| Melissa Westin |
Department of Justice, Lara |
Nokia Business Innovation Award
| Professor Flavia Cicuttini |
Monash University and The Alfred Centre, Melbourne |
| Maureen Clifford |
Ndevr Pty Ltd, Melbourne |
| Jacqueline Travaglia |
Lantern Ghost Tours, Williamstown |
| Dr Margarite Vale |
The COACH Program, Melbourne |
marie claire Young Business Women’s Award
| Torie Mackinnon |
Moonraker Dolphin Swims, Sorrento |
| Yasmin Najjar |
neoSKIN, Richmond |
| Ellese Carli Templeton |
Templeton Family Funerals, Ferntree Gully |
| Melissa Westin |
Department of Justice, Lara |
More information on the Telstra Business Women’s Awards can be found at
www.telstrabusinesswomensawards.com
Media contacts:
Jane de Gault | 0419 818 956 | Telstra
James Howe | 0488 065 058 | Telstra
www.telstra.com.au/abouttelstra/media-centre/
Reference: 223/2012
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Telstra Business Women's Awards Network