2009
Suncorp Western Sydney Awards for Business Excellence
Kicked off for new Season
Parramatta Eels
star Krisnan Inu helped kick off the expanded Suncorp Western Sydney Awards for
Business Excellence last week at marvellous event held at Parramatta Stadium’s
Cumberland Lounge.
Attended by
such dignitaries as Parramatta Lord Mayor Cr Tony Issa, Suncorp Bank’s State
Manager Business Customers NSW Mr Brian Morris, and Parramatta Councillors Paul
Garrard, Paul Barber and John Chedid, the launch of the 2009 awards was
attended by 120 local business representatives.
In their 19th
year, these prestigious awards, formally known as the Suncorp Parramatta
Regional Awards for Business Excellence, have expanded to recognise all
businesses in western Sydney. In 2009
businesses and social enterprises from throughout western Sydney will vie for
the celebrated $10,000 Suncorp Business of the Year Award, as well as the other
11 category awards on offer.
What a long way
these awards have come since they were launched by the Parramatta
Chamber of Commerce back in 1991. Through two recessions and
the many ups and downs of business, the Chamber has remained on course and
grown these awards into a celebration of western Sydney’s business excellence.
Parramatta Chamber of Commerce President Mr Trevor
Oldfield said, “In 2003, after moving their NSW Business Banking headquarters
to Parramatta, Suncorp Business Banking, chose to partner with our Awards to
help further its business objectives and support business in its new
‘hometown’.”
Parramatta City Council is the
Principal Sponsor of the awards and Lord Mayor Cr Tony Issa said in his speech at
the Awards launch, “The Suncorp Western Sydney Awards for Business Excellence
are one of the true glamour events hosted in our city and I know many people
look forward to it every year. To win a prestigious business excellence award
is an outstanding achievement and I encourage all local businesses to
nominate.”
The Lord Mayor also reminded those
people present about the various avenues where Parramatta City Council and Parramatta Chamber of Commerce are working together
for the betterment of businesses in the region. Cr Issa pointed out, “We have
started removing parking meters from Harris Park and we will be introducing 15
minutes free-parking in our CBD. Along
side the Chamber of Commerce we have opposed the increase in the Parking Levy
and our position is clear – if the levy is to remain then the monies raised
must be returned to our growing city through improved integrated transport.”
Officially launching the Awards for 2009,
Suncorp’s State Manager Business Customers NSW Mr Brian Morris said, “As is
tradition Suncorp is proud to continue with the major award category within the
Western Sydney Awards Program – the Suncorp 2009 Business of the Year Award,
the winner of which will receive a $10,000 Suncorp Bank Business Investment
Options Account.”
