2006 | Entrepreneurs - shaping the future of Australia

Youth shows the way!

Criteria: Entrepreneurial spirit
Shown in: high standards, desire to be successful, taking risks, overcoming obstacles, perseverance & learning from experience.

Shelley Barrett (ModelCo) - National Winner 2005

Category: Young Entrepreneur of the Year
At 21, Shelley ran a successful boutique-modelling agency, with more than 1200 models Australia-wide. She used 10 years experience in the modelling and fashion business to develop a company, ModelCo, which produces LASHWAND, a heated eyelash curler. This product achieved over $1m in sales in the first six months worldwide.

When the Korean supplier's factory burnt down, Shelley had contract deadlines she could not meet. She overcame this major obstacle by rapidly contracting with another manufacturer and met all existing orders. Within one year her innovative approach was demonstrated by the launch of four new products. One of these was TAN Airbrush in a Can, which became the top selling cosmetic item at David Jones and Myer. ModelCo produces over 70 products sold in over 500 quality stores worldwide.

So what made Shelley a winner? The factors were:

• Building up ModelCo in four years
• Expanding globally as well as in Australia
• Providing innovative ideas in a product area where 'speed to market'
  is a must
• Successfully competing against large, capital-rich, multi-national companies.

Just Cruisin'!

Criteria: Financial performance
Shown by: strength of financial performance, track record in raising equity and debt finance, managing cash flow, long-term sustainability, growth in financial results, reinvestment of profit.

John Rothwell - Australian Entrepreneur of the Year 2002

Category: Services including Financial, Business and Property - Western Region
John is the founder and Chairman of Austal Ships, established in 1988. Through John's leadership, Austal is leading the world in the design and construction of high performance aluminium vessels. Austal is the world's largest builder of fast ferries, producing high quality and technologically advanced boats.

The company has diversified from the building of fast ferries to large passenger and vehicle ferries, military and customs support vessels, and private and cruise vessels, for both Australian and international clients.
Although the process of searching for new market opportunities caused short-term costs and difficulties, it positioned the firm for long-term sustainability.

Money isn't everything!

Criteria: Personal integrity/influence
Shown by: values, approaches to relationships, role model, mentor and/or advisor, involvement in the wider community.

Father Chris Riley (Youth Off the Streets) - Eastern Region Winner

Category: Social Entrepreneur 2005
This category is for leaders working in the not-for-profit area who have a vision for using best business practices to create a lasting improvement for people in need.

Being entrepreneurial does not have to be about making money. For 30 years Father Riley has devoted much of his life to helping homeless and disadvantaged young people. He is the founder and Chief Executive Officer of Youth Off The Streets (YOTS), a not-for-profit charity working to help homeless and disadvantaged youth. YOTS has become a significant provider of services for young Australians, offering drug and alcohol rehabilitation and education, residential support, counselling and street-based programs.

Under 50 percent of YOTS funding comes from government, but the organisation has been able to reach out to more than 45,000 young Australians since starting in 1991. Following the Boxing Day tsunami, Father Riley travelled to Aceh in Indonesia and developed a partnership with Muhammadiyah, one of the largest Muslim organisations in Indonesia, to provide care and support to child victims.

Schoolies Week!

Criteria: Innovation
Shown in: pioneering new approaches or technologies, ability to adapt, developing products/services ahead of the market, building a culture of innovation, investing in research and development.

Tony Smith (BreakFree Resorts & Holidays) - Northern Region Winner

Category: Services including Financial, Business and Property 2005
Do you know someone who was part of Schoolies Week? Tony was 22 when he recognised the market potential of Year 12 students celebrating the end of their school life. He set up BreakFree Holidays in 1988 and his travel agency launched a new product called 'Schoolies Week' which caters for 30,000 schoolies annually.

He continued to be innovative, forming a joint venture with Paradise Resorts to develop 38 resorts from Northern Queensland to coastal Western Victoria. Tony listed the company on the ASX in 2002. In 2005 the business had a turnover of $69m, and merging with MFS Ltd, created Australia's biggest leisure accommodation business.

Tony continues to innovate, currently developing Holiday Invest to sell a new product called Holiday Bonds that entitles holders to benefits in the form of holiday accommodation.