The Ethnic Business Awards 2009 Winners
Published: 01/12/2009 by
Ethnic Business Awards
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The prestigious ceremony was held last night at Sydney’s Four Seasons Hotel, attended by the Governor-General, Her Excellency Ms. Quentin Bryce A.C.
In its 21st year, the Awards received more than 1500 nominations from every state and territory.
The nominees originated from 102 different countries.
Mr Joseph Assaf the Founder and Chairman of the Ethnic Business Awards, himself a migrant said:
“They all faced mountainous obstacles in dealing with the massive change that they encountered in the new land. But equipped with the three qualities that characterise migrants in business that is resilience, enterprise and ingenuity, success was their guaranteed achievement.”
Despite being housed in a detention camp on arrival in Australia, Marko Franovic and his two brothers built the Boka Group, a property goliath turning over more than several million dollars.
The trio, who escaped the communist regime in the former Yugoslavia, won the award for Medium to Large Business.
Guiseppe Giugni left school as a 15-year-old after being taunted as a ‘wog’ and a ‘dago’ to create the Fyshwick Fresh Food Markets, now undergoing a multi million dollar redevelopment.
The Italian immigrant won the Small Business category.
The Initiative Award went to Manel and Ali Hammoud from Ella Rouge, Australia’s most reputable beauty chain with more than 20 skin bars and stores.
This enterprising pair, who escaped the civil war in Lebanon, started the business while caring for two children under the age of two.
Each winner took home $10,000 cash from the National Australia Bank, two return business class tickets to any of Etihad’s destinations in Europe, Africa or the Middle East, courtesy of Etihad and a hand crafted crystal trophy.
The Doric Group won a Special Recognition Award for its extraordinary growth and contribution to the community.
Started 20 years ago by Cypriot immigrant Harry Xydas, the W.A. construction company has grown from two to 270 employees, with 2000 subcontractors on any given day.
A worthy nominee for an Ethnic Business Award in the Medium to Large category, Harry Xydas withdrew from the contest, deciding to work as a sponsor alongside founder Joseph Assaf.
The judges decided to give The Doric Group special recognition for this magnanimous gesture.
The judging panel comprised BHP Billiton Chairman Don Argus, Business Consultant Eve Crestani, Director General of the Office of National Assessments Allan Gyngell, Chairman of the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation Dr. Ziggy Switkowski, and Fashion icon Carla Zampatti.
The 2009 Ethnic Business Awards gala ceremony, hosted by broadcaster Tracey Spicer, will be televised on S-B-S, the Aurora Community Channel, Australia Network and TVB Jadeworld.
It features performances by the cast of the musical Wicked, Circus Oz and famed French chanteuse Caroline Nin.
Sponsors include the National Australia Bank, Etihad Airways, Telstra and Austrade.
For interviews with Joseph Assaf, Tracey Spicer or any of the winners, contact: Candice Mayer on candice@ethnicbusinessawards.com or (0405) 744 843;
Tracey Spicer on tracey@spicercommunications.biz or (0411) 281 854.
Visit http://www.ethnicbusinessawards.com
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List of Winners
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Medium to Large Business category – The Boka Group, Sydney N.S.W.
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When Marko Franovic arrived in Australia, all he possessed was one shirt, one pair of pants, a jacket and a pair of shoes. He’d escaped the Tito regime in the former Yugoslavia, fleeing via Italy, ending up in the Bonegilla detention camp near Albury. Eventually joined by his two brothers, the family’s Boka Group is an industry leader in property development and window installation, turning over several million a year.
Small Business category – Fyshwick Markets Pty Ltd, A.C.T.
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Set your goals, work hard, and pursue your ideals: that’s Guiseppe Giugni’s take on business success. The Italian citizen lost his father fighting on the Russian Front, before arriving in Australia with just a bag of clothes. He left school at 15, using his mother’s war pension to create the thriving Fyshwick Markets, featuring 33 stallholders of fifteen different nationalities.
Initiative Award - Ella Rouge, Sydney N.S.W.
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From one salon in Hurstville, Sydney, Ali and Manel Hammoud now own and operate more than twenty stores and skin bars offering the latest technologies and modalities in beauty treatment. The pair escaped war-torn Lebanon to start a new life in Australia, building their business while raising two small children.
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Broadcast Dates for 2009
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SBS
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Sunday December 6th 10:30am –12:30pm
Sunday January 10th 10:00am – Midday
SBS 2
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Monday December 7th 7:30pm – 9:30pm
Australia Network
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Saturday December 19th 10:30pm – 12:00am
Sunday December 20th 8:30am – 10:00am
Aurora Community Channel
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Sunday December 13th 8:00pm –10:00pm
Tuesday December 15th 2:30pm – 4:30pm
Thursday December 17th 8:30pm – 10:30pm
Monday December 21st 9:30pm – 11:30pm
Sunday December 27th 8:00pm – 10:00pm
