Quality of entrants in this year's Western Australian Indigenous Business Awards highlighted

8/11/99
The quality of entrants in this year's Western Australian Indigenous Business Awards reflects the emerging strength of indigenous business in the State, according to Commerce and Trade Minister Hendy Cowan.
Mr Cowan said the awards profiled the growing diversity and trend towards bigger operations among indigenous businesses.
He said most of the awards finalists employed more than six employees and they included firms operating in sectors including agriculture, fishing, media, equipment and labour hire, tourism and training.
"The range and quality of the nine finalists dispel the misconception that indigenous business tends to be in tourism and culture," the Minister said.
"Tourism and culture are important indigenous business sectors but these awards demonstrate the emergence of Aboriginal involvement in an expanding range of industry sectors over the last three years.
"The awards show the important contribution indigenous businesses make to WA by creating employment opportunities and stimulating local economies in many parts of the State where those benefits are needed.
"They also showcase the success stories of indigenous business as role models for others."
The 1999 Awards presentation, which includes an overall Indigenous Business of the Year award, will take place at a gala dinner on Friday, November 26 at 7.45pm at the Sheraton Perth Hotel.
The 1999 Western Australian Indigenous Business Awards finalists are:

• Aboriginal Group Training WA (Inc), Perth;
• BYAC Contractors, Laverton;
• Cataby Seeds Pty Ltd, Cataby;
• TW Cassidy Water Cart Hire, Port Hedland;
• Goolarri Media Enterprises, Broome;
• Kooljaman tourist resort, Cape Leveque;
• Panvale Investments Pty Ltd, Perth;
• Warlayirti Artists Aboriginal Corporation, Balgo Hills; and -
• Yamatji Bitja tours and education, Kalgoorlie.

The awards are an initiative of the Aboriginal Economic Development Council in association with the Department of Commerce and Trade. They are sponsored by Anaconda Nickel, Ansett Australia, ArtsWA, ATSIC, the Lotteries Commission, National Australia Bank, Rio Tinto, Sodexho and the Department of Commerce and Trade.
Media contact: Peter Jackson 9222 9595