Presentation of inaugural Gascoyne business awards at Carnarvon

7/6/95

Major tourism and residential developments planned for the Gascoyne are likely to create exciting opportunities for local business, says Deputy Premier and Regional Development Minister Hendy Cowan.

Speaking at the presentation of the inaugural Skywest Airlines Gascoyne Business Awards in Carnarvon last night, Mr Cowan said developments such as those planned for Exmouth, Coral Bay and Carnarvon showed that things were on the move in the Gascoyne and the outlook was good.

However, it was important that local businesses were in a position to capitalise on future development.

"In that regard, it is very pleasing to know that there was a most encouraging response to the Gascoyne Business Awards and that the quality of the applications was very high," Mr Cowan told the audience at Carnarvon's Fascine Lodge.

He presented the award for Gascoyne Business of the Year to Monkey Mia Dolphin Resort.

Individual category winners were:

·       Mitre 10 Carnarvon Manufacturing and Construction Award - David and Gail Morris (Builders), Carnarvon.

·       Australian Defence Industries Tourism Award - Monkey Mia Dolphin Resort.

·       M.G. Kailis Gulf Fisheries Retail and Service Award - Mrs Chris Oatway, Fancy That Giftware, Exmouth.

·       Monkey Mia Dolphin Resort Primary Industry Award - David, Margot and Justin Steadman, Wooramel Pastoral Co.

Two of the winners will now be regional finalists in the Telstra West Australian Small Business Awards.  They are Wooramel Pastoral Co (small business with fewer than six employees) and Monkey Mia Dolphin Resort (fewer than 30 employees).

The Skywest Gascoyne Business Awards represent the major function in the Gascoyne region for Celebrate the Regions, which is the theme of this year's WA Week festivities.

The Western Australian Government, through the Department of Commerce and Trade and the Regional Development Commissions, has implemented a program of events which 'celebrate' the regions.

"It is most appropriate that these awards are being presented during a week when all Western Australians are being reminded of the very valuable contribution which continues to be made by the regions to the economy of the State," Mr Cowan said.

"The aims of the awards are to recognise higher achievers in the business community, to promote those achievers as leaders who are worthy of being held as an example to others and to encourage all businesses to aspire towards excellence."

Mr Cowan said business of the year awards and similar programs had done much to improve standards.

"We have long gone past the stage when it was sufficient simply to provide a service or to transport goods and materials," he said.

"With the rapid growth of communications and greater awareness of standards throughout the world, markets and consumers demand and expect the very best.

"There is just no room for second-rate management of businesses."

In a reference to Gascoyne, Mr Cowan said that not only would excellence be required in the construction industry as physical and infrastructure developments took place, but later the increase in population would place demands on the retail and service industries and in ecological and environmental management.

The Deputy Premier commended the Gascoyne Development Commission and the Gascoyne Business Enterprise Centre for organising the awards and the assistance provided by the Carnarvon, Denham and Exmouth Combined Chambers of Commerce.

He also paid tribute to the sponsors - Skywest Airlines, Mitre 10 Carnarvon, Australian Defence Industries, Monkey Mia Dolphin Resort and M G Kailis Gulf Fisheries.

Media contact: Peter Jackson 222-9595 or pager 480-4926