Fallright International wins Telstra WA Small Business of the Year

5/11/99
Deputy Premier Hendy Cowan has commended Belmont business Fallright International, which was tonight named the 1999 Telstra WA Small Business of the Year.

The business was presented with more than $10,000 in prizes, including an $8000 research and development grant, at the Telstra WA Small Business Development Corporation Awards ceremony at the Hyatt Regency Hotel.
This is not the first time that Fallright International has performed well in the awards. Fallright business owner Mack McCormack was named Entrepreneur of the Year in 1997.
Mr Cowan said the awards were a showcase for the innovation, enterprise and outstanding contribution small businesses made to the State.
"They foster a culture of quality and entrepreneurial spirit that can only benefit both Western Australia and the businesses themselves," he said.
"The awards recognise and support the small business sector which makes a massive contribution to our economy.
"Not only do they provide a vast array of goods and services, small businesses provide more jobs for Australians than any other business sector.
"I congratulate the winners, finalists and everyone who entered the awards. We are proud to salute the talent of WA's dynamic small business operators and help nurture the development of this important business sector."
The WA awards are the result of a partnership between Telstra and the Small Business Development Corporation to recognise and promote the quality, diversity and ingenuity of successful WA small businesses.
Category winners in the awards were:

• Austmag, of Osborne Park, winner of the Commonwealth Government Micro-Business Award - (business with fewer than 5 employees);

• Paterson's Landscaping, of Bunbury, winner of the 3Com Business Owner Award -(business with fewer than 20 employees);

• Accuweigh Australia, of Myaree, winner of the Ansett Australia Business Owner Award -(business with fewer than 50 employees);

• Fallright International, winner of the AusIndustry Innovation Award (business with fewer than 100 employees);

• Kevin Coote, Craven Foods, of Bunbury, winner of the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year; and -

• Katrina Bercov, Ovations Edu-tainment, North Perth, winner of the Young Business Achiever Award.

All winners will compete at the national presentation in Melbourne on November 25.
Ansett Australia, 3Com, AusIndustry, Ernst & Young, The West Australian the Department of Employment, Workplace Relations and Small Business, and BRW magazine were also commended for sponsoring the awards.
The awards were developed by Telstra in 1992 to support and encourage the development of small businesses Australia-wide.
Media contacts: Heather Hunt (SBDC) 9220-0215
Peter Jackson (Minister's office) 9222-9595