ACTIVATED Group Chief Executive Officer Dane Cornish might have mounted the stage to collect the Business of the Year award but he was quick to point out that the company’s success was not due to just one person.
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He said the award reflected his team’s efforts and the company’s professionalism.
The 2011 Origin Shoalhaven Business Awards were announced on Friday night at the Shoalhaven Entertainment Centre with Activated Group just one of many businesses recognised for their achievements.
Mr Cornish said the key to success was a simple philosophy.
“What it comes down to is being passionate about what you are doing,” he said.
Activated Group, founded by Mr Cornish in 2003, provides quality sporting programs to schools around Australia.
Activated Group also won this year’s retail and personal service award.
Mr Cornish said the company would not be resting on past glories and wanted to take its business model around the world.
“We want to get bigger and better, move into United Kingdom and United States markets and have a staff of over 200 people,” he said.
Mr Cornish was named the young business person of the year at last year’s business awards.
This year however that title was awarded to Kate Cummins from Integrity Real Estate in Nowra. “I couldn’t believe it, there were some fantastic nominations with most having won previous awards,” she said.
“This is a massive credit to all our staff. It’s their hard work that helps us to get our results,” she said.
It has been a successful two years for Integrity Real Estate.
Last year Ms Cummins was highly commended for Young Business Person of the Year and Integrity was highly commended in the Business of the Year category with Peter Russell also highly commended.
This year he was named Business Person of the Year and Integrity won the award in the Property and Finance section.
“We’re feeling like we’re doing something right.”
“I recommend other businesses enter the awards. You can use it as a platform to advance yourself and it puts your business’s name out there as a success,” he said.
Another happy winner on Friday night was Phil Guy, principal of South Coast Building, which won the New Shoalhaven Business award.
“As a new business I am well aware that the business is only as good as its clients and supporters, and I would like to thank everyone for their support and custom during the last 18 months,” Mr Guy said.
“I am humbled to be considered by my business peers in the Shoalhaven to be worthy of this recognition.”
The Shoalhaven Business Chamber co-ordinated what was a successful event.
...and the winners are:
Business of the Year: Activated Group (Dane Cornish)
Business Person of the Year: Peter Russell (Integrity Real Estate)
Young Business Person of the Year: Kate Cummins (Integrity Real Estate)
Community Sector: Southern Cross Community Housing
Professional and Commercial: Allen, Price & Associates
Wholesale Manufacturing and Mining: Rambor Pty Ltd
Home Based Business: Ulladulla Conveyancing
Small Business: Curran Plumbing
Customer Service: Pure Face Body Hair
Building and Construction: Strongbuild
Retail and Personal Service: Activated Group
Sustainability: Silos Estate
Workplace Safety and OHS: Hanlon Windows
Tourism and Hospitality: Silos Estate
Innovation: Tailormade Specialised Recycling
Information, Communication and Technology: CPE Systems
New Shoalhaven Business: South Coast Building Consultants
Export: Pharmplex
Property and Finance: Integrity Real Estate
