Above: Melbourne Fascia and Roofing owner Pat Hewitt with Youth Enterprise nominee Farid Bashir and Chisholm Institute’s John McKay.By Nicole Williams
TOWERING basketball champion Chris Anstey even got a youngster up early for the second Greater Dandenong Chamber of Commerce Premier Regional Business Awards nomination breakfast last Wednesday.
After the three business nominees and the youth enterprise nominee were announced, Mr Anstey had the attendees, and a son, in fits of laughter with stories of his 17-year basketball career – including beating the Chicago Bulls’ Michael Jordan, during his time with the NBA.
He offered a valuable reminder to the nominees and everyone attending that success is available to everyone.
“Everyone is the same but it is who is prepared to work the hardest that will become successful,” he said.
Since Youth Enterprise nominee Farid Bashir arrived in Australia from Afghanistan in 2006, he has worked hard to learn English and find a place in the plumbing industry.
After completing a pre-vocational program in plumbing at Chisholm Institute in 2008, Mr Bashir gained employment as an apprentice with Melbourne Fascia and Roofing.
L & O Technologies, Australia Rollforming Manufacturers and AgVantage were all nominated for the Premier Regional Business Award.
L & O Technologies is a large provider of electrical services and general manager Peter Billing said it had grown from a business with two electricians without “’the best business ability” to a business with offices in Hallam, Derrimut, Epping and Moorabbin.
“We’re looking to keep growing and there is still a long way to go,” Mr Billing said.
L & O was nominated in the areas of employment, service excellence and corporate and social responsibility.
AgVantage, a major supplier to the agricultural industry, has grown due to a strong focus on customer needs, which is demonstrated with its recent development of an iPhone application for farmers.
Operations manager Brett Walton said the application allowed farmers to determine the ideal dosage or how much to order without having to contact AgVantage.
“It has been fantastic,” Mr Walton said.
AgVantage was nominated in the areas of employment, service excellence innovation and manufacturing.
Australian Rollforming Manufacturing (ARM) was established when three of BHP’s customers joined forces after the resources giant closed its rollforming division.
Managing director Henry Wolfkamp said he was proud of the leap of faith they took in 2000 which had continued to pay off.
ARM was inducted into the Victorian Manufacturing Hall of Fame this year, as proof of how far it had developed. ARM was nominated in the areas of employment, service excellence and manufacturing.
Fifteen nominees will be announced during breakfast meetings during the year and the winners will be announced at a forthcoming dinner.
