Monday 17 October 2005

Announcing Winners of the 2005 Northern Territory Management Excellence Awards

Following a Gala dinner attended by almost 300 people earlier this evening, the Australian Institute of Management QLD & NT is delighted to announce the winners of the 2005 Management Excellence Awards (NT).

The Management Excellence Awards (MEA’s) are the only major awards program that recognises the achievements of INDIVIDUAL managers.

Ninety three (93) Nominations were received; eighteen (18) progressed through to become Finalists and four (4) Winners were selected, as follows:

2005 Owner Manager of the Year

Proudly sponsored by HP Invent

WINNER: Mrs Julie Shugg – Managing Director, AKS Welding & Fabrication Pty Ltd

This Award is aimed at the managing partners and /or owners of SME with 50% or more share across all industries. The Finalists for this category are business owners who are actively managing a business of five or more employees. Additionally, they must have sound business planning and implementation skills but of greater importance is how they actually manage their business.

The winner must be able to demonstrate an understanding of the interplay between people, resources and the bottom-line; a sense of stewardship and of the place of the business in the wider community; innovation, passion within their actions and entrepreneurship and above all a commitment to managing and leading in the best way possible.

The Judges selected Julie Shugg as the winner of the 2005 “Owner Manager of the Year” category for her ability to develop a strong customer relationship that is instilled at all levels of the organisation despite working in a demanding and often transient business environment. The passionate approach to staff development and rewards has lead to demonstrated loyalty both internally and externally. A track record of commonsense business management has ensured the success of this small business in the past and stands Julie Shugg in good stead for the future.

2005 Professional Manager of the Year – Public Sector

Proudly sponsored by the Department of the Chief Minister

WINNER: Mr Ross Bradford – Chief of Staff, HQ 1 st Brigade, Robertson Barracks - Dept of Defence

This Award recognises senior managers for whom management is a profession – ordinary people who do extraordinary things for their organisation on a day-to-day basis. All Finalists demonstrated their ability to manage complex tasks, excellence in management and leadership, effective communication and performance to budget.

The Judges selected Ross Bradford as the winner of the 2005 “Professional Manager of the Year – Public Sector” category for his clear ability to manage complex tasks, large numbers of people from a diverse background in a volatile and oftentimes, critical environment. Additionally, Ross demonstrates the ability to communicate across both organisational and hierarchial barriers achieving significant outcomes. He is a person who has performed at the highest levels for an extended period and with a great future ahead of him.

2005 Professional Manager of the Year –Private Sector

Proudly sponsored by Corporate Express

WINNER: Mr Shane Dawson – CEO, Top End Division of General Practice

This Award category recognises senior managers for whom management is a profession in the Private sector. All Finalists demonstrated management experience in the following areas: marketing, human resources, finance & budgeting, information technology and global environments.

The Judges selected Shane Dawson as the winner of the 2005 “Professional Manager of the Year – Private Sector” category for allowing his staff the capacity to develop; creating a family-friendly workplace; being a Visionary with great listening, lateral thinking and entrepreneurial skills; increasing funding by 300% for his organisation within 2 years and his excellent commercial acumen.

2005 Young Manager of the Year

Proudly sponsored by TIO

WINNER: Mr Russell Cahill – Director, Service & Contracting – Powercorp Pty Ltd

This category acknowledges the many young and innovative managers who have achieved a senior management or leadership position. They must be 35 years of age or younger and employed as a manager within an organisation or managing their own business that employees five or more people.

The Judges selected Russell Cahill as the winner of the 2005 Northern Territory “Young Manager of the Year” category as he is an engaging individual who demonstrates an ability to manage people with a range of skills and abilities to achieve positive outcomes for himself and his employer.

Russell has gained the respect of his peers most notably through his appointment to the board of directors where he works and has managed to bridge the gap between the hands-on workforce and the board of management with PowerCorp Pty Ltd.

In addition to the above-mentioned Award categories, the NT Council of the Australian Institute of Management award the National Australia Bank “Invitational Medal for Management Innovation” to highlight the business and human significance of innovation to the ongoing prosperity of the Territory and nation.   

This year’s recipient of the NAB Medal for Management Innovation is Mr Alan Langworthy – Managing Director of Powercorp Pty Ltd.

The audience at the 2005 Management Excellence Awards was addressed by keynote speaker Tom O’Toole – the famous “Baker from Beechworth” who turned a small business in country Victoria into the highest earning single bakery retailer in Australia.