Ethnic Business Awards

Ethnic Business Awards (EBA) are Australia’s longest running and most prestigious business awards. The awards recognise the significant achievements of migrant and Indigenous business owners and celebrate the diversity of modern Australia. The EBA’s recognise the contributions made by migrants and the First Australians to business, the economy and multiculturalism. They reward their central roles in making Australia a welcoming, tolerant and fair society. They also highlight Australia as a key destination for business and create understanding and harmony.

Ethnic Business Awards
Joseph Assaf AO at the 30th Annual Ethnic Business Awards
Awarded forExcellence of Migrants and Indigenous people in Australian business
CountryAustralia
Presented byThe EBA Foundation
First awarded1988 (1988)
Websitewww.ethnicbusinessawards.com
Television/radio coverage
NetworkAurora Community Channel, SBS (Australian TV channel), NITV
RuntimeApprox. 60–120 min.

Founded in 1988 by Joseph Assaf AO, a Lebanese born Australian who specializes in multicultural marketing and businesses, the awards have drawn significant attention.[1][2]

History

Founded in 1988 by Joseph Assaf AO, a Lebanese born Australian who carved out a successful career in multicultural marketing, research and advertising. For more than three decades Joseph has championed the awards and in 2019 proudly saw the Ethnic Business Awards become a foundation and as such a recognised not for profit. This will secure the future of the awards and see that they continue to thrive for many years to come. Originally the awards focussed on the migrant contribution and then in 2010 Joseph included the Indigenous in Business award. A first of its kind. This award specifically recognised the great contributions made in business by the First Australians, the Aborigines.

The EBA Foundation has a strong network of sponsors supporting and promoting the Awards and their achievements. The EBA Foundation has, over the years has been proudly supported by a multitude of corporate sponsors, including NAB, Arab Bank, Ethan Group, GCD Group, Singapore Airlines, Gulf Air, Emirates, China Southern Airlines, Virgin Australia Qatar Airways and MBF, along with various Government Departments, including the Department of Resources, Energy and Tourism, the Department of Immigration and Citizenship, Austrade and Centrelink. The EBA Foundation has also received enormous support from various media outlets, which have provided the awards with substantial national and international exposure. These include SBS Television, Aurora Community Channel, El Telegraph (Arabic), The Sydney Korean Herald, Chieu Duong Vietnamese Daily, Sing Tao Daily Chinese Newspaper, Neos Kosmos (Greek) and the 1688 Chinese Newspaper Group.

The Ethnic Business Awards have been attended at least once by almost every Prime Minister and a number of Governor Generals since their inception. The Awards attract entries from a diverse group of nominees from all states and territories and across all sectors and industries. There have been over 21,000 nominations from over 100 countries.

The Awards attract high quality business entries from a diverse group of nominees from all states and territories and across all sectors and industries.

In hosting the Ethnic Business Awards the vision is:

• To celebrate and highlight the myriad of benefits that cultural diversity brings to our nation, including the rich cultural heritage of our First Australians, the Aborigines.

• To recognise and reward the success of migrants who against the odds, excel and exceed in business making an enormous contribution to the nation.

• To provide role models for migrant and Indigenous communities to emulate.[3]

Categories

The Ethnic Business Awards consist of the following three categories:

  • Small Business (with turnover of less than or equal to $10 million per annum)
  • Medium to Large Business (with turnover of greater than $10 million per annum)
  • Indigenous in Business (the EBA Indigenous in Business Awards are the first business awards given to the first Australians)

Judges

Major General the Honourable Michael Jeffery, AC, AO (Mil), CVO, MC (Retd) (2016 - 2020) [4]

It is with great sadness we announce the passing of Major General the Honourable Michael Jeffery on 18th December 2020. He will be greatly missed by all at the EBA Foundation and we are indebted for his enormous contribution to the Foundation. Major General Jeffery was born in Wiluna WA in 1937 and educated at Kent Street High School and the Royal Military College, Duntroon. He graduated into Infantry and served operationally in Malaya, Borneo, and Vietnam, where he was awarded the Military Cross and the South Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry.

After command of all combat elements of the Army from platoon to division – including the Special Air Service Regiment – he retired in 1993 to assume the appointment of Governor of Western Australia, which he held for almost seven years. His major interests during his tenure were in youth affairs, education, environment and the family.

For his services to the State he was appointed a Companion in the Order of Australia, a Commander of the Royal Victorian Order and a Citizen of Western Australia. On his retirement as Governor in 2000, he established in Perth, a not for profit strategic research institute – Future Directions International (FDI) – whose objective is to examine longer term issues facing Australia. On 20 December 2000, he was awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Technology by Curtin University.

On 11 August 2003, he was sworn in as the twenty-fourth Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia, serving in that capacity until 5 September 2008. Upon his retirement as Governor-General, he served as Chairman of the Royal Flying Doctor Service, Outcomes Australia, The Global Foundation, the Constitution Education Fund Australia, the Diamond Jubilee Trust Australia and the Australian Trachoma Alliance.

He was appointed the National Advocate for Soil Health in 2013 by Prime Minister Gillard and is patron of various charitable organisations. He is presently the Chairman of FDI and Soils For Life.

Major General Jeffery is a Companion of the Order of Logohu (PNG), a Knight of St John, a Paul Harris Fellow and an honorary life member of the Returned and Services League.

Carla Zampatti (1998 - present) [5]

Fashion icon, Carla Zampatti, is one of Australia’s fashion pioneers. She has been recognised with numerous Australian and international awards for her achievements and excellence. Carla was appointed Commendatore (Commander) in the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic by the Italian Government in 2004. She was also awarded Bulletin/Qantas Businesswoman of the Year in 1994 and was named Designer of the Year by the Australian fashion industry.

Carla has been a judge of the Ethnic Business Awards since its inception in 1988. Already a Member of the Order of Australia (AM), in 2009, she was awarded an AC – a Companion of the Order of Australia for her leadership in the fashion and retail sectors, for her contributions to multicultural broadcasting, and for being a role model and mentor for women.

Eve Crestani (1999 - present) [6]

Eve Crestani is an experienced Chairman, Non-Executive Director and Business Consultant. She qualified in law, and has 28 years’ experience as a Non-Executive Director and Chairman, and as chairman of multiple board committees.

She has deep experience in the governance of complex and highly regulated businesses, strategy development, risk management, financial management and transformation. Eve has served on a variety of boards – listed, unlisted and mutual, global and domestic.

Eve is currently a Director of Australian Unity Investment Real Estate Limited, booking.com, Heathley Real Estate Investment Trust and is Chairman of Seres (Hong Kong). She has just finished her term as a Director of the Zurich Group, has previously been Chairman of Mercer Super and a long-serving Director of Australian Unity. She also sits on the ASX Disciplinary Tribunal, and has been a Fellow of AICD since its inception. Her pro bono activities include being a Director of Soils For Life.

Eve’s consulting career has been focused on providing strategic advice and transformation implementation to organisations such as KPMG, ING, ASX, HK Securities Institute and Fairfax Interactive.

Allan Gyngell AO (2007 - present) [7]

Allan Gyngell is National President of the Australian Institute of International Affairs, an Honorary Professor in the ANU’s College of Asia and the Pacific and a member of the board of China Matters.

His extensive experience inside and outside government includes appointments as Director-General of the Office of National Assessments, the inaugural Executive Director of the Lowy Institute and as Foreign Policy Adviser in the office of Prime Minister Paul Keating. He began his career as an Australian diplomat serving in Asia and Washington.

Allan has written and spoken widely about Australian foreign and security policy and economic relations with Asia. His most recent book Fear of Abandonment: Australia and the World since 1942 was published in 2017. He was made an Officer In the Order of Australia for service to international relations in 2009.

Adam Goodes (2018 - present) [8]

Dual Brownlow Medallist, dual premiership player, four-time All-Australian, member of the Indigenous Team of the Century and representative in the International Rules Series, Adam Goodes holds an elite place in AFL/VFL history.

But his is a name that transcends the football field. Adam was named the 2014 Australian of the Year, in recognition of Adam’s community work aimed at empowering the next generation of Indigenous role models as well as his advocacy in the fight against racism.

Born in South Australia, Adam moved to Victoria as a young boy and developed a passion for Australian Rules Football. Adam soon became one of the game’s leading scorers and had a much-celebrated career spanning over seventeen seasons. He announced his retirement from AFL in September 2015.

Adam is equally known for his involvement and leadership within the Indigenous community. In 2004 he was invited to join the National Indigenous Council (NIC). In 2009, Adam set up The Goodes-O’Loughlin (GO) Foundation with fellow Indigenous teammate Michael O’Loughlin. GO Foundation’s vision is to create a brighter future for Indigenous children through education. In 2014, he joined the board of Supply Nation. Adam’s work within the corporate world extends to advising various organisations, such as retail giant David Jones and Lend Lease, on their Reconciliation Action Plans (RAP).

Adam is also passionate about the elimination of discrimination in society and advocates for the Recognise Movement along with Racism It Stops With Me campaign.

Adam is an ambassador for many prominent brands including Toyota, David Jones, Qantas, Lend Lease and CMC Indigenous Services. He is also an ambassador for Woolworths and board member for Support Through Australia Natural Disasters (S.T.A.N.D). Since retiring from AFL, Adam has enjoyed investing more time in the GO Foundation and being CEO for iDiC- Indigenous Defence and Infrastructure Consortium along with getting involved in other opportunities that he is passionate about.

Past Judges [9]
  • Nicholas Shehadie (1998 - 1998)

Nicholas Shehadie is the former Lord Mayor of Sydney (1973–1975) and a former national representative rugby union captain, who made thirty career Test appearances 1947–1958.

  • John Saunders (1998 - 1997)

A Hungarian Migrant who arrived penniless to this country, through hard work and perseverance, started with a sandwich shop with his business partner Frank Lowy, and moved on to build the multi-million dollar empire known as Westfield Group. John was a revered member of the Judging Panel till his passing in 1997.

  • King Fong OAM (1998 - 2006)

King Fong is a prominent businessman within the Chinese community in Sydney and is a consultant for Chinatown Promotions and Public Relations.

  • Don Argus AC AO (2008 - 2014)

Don Argus is the Chairman of BHP Billiton, the world’s largest diversified resource company. Don has a long standing relationship with the Ethnic Business Awards. During his time as CEO and Managing Director of the National Australia Bank, Don offered his full support to ensure the continuing recognition of migrant contribution to Australia’s economic development, and to Australia’s cultural and social fabric.

In 1998 Don was made an Officer of the Order of Australia in recognition of his services to banking and finance, and his contributions to community and sporting organisations. He was further awarded the Centenary Medal in April 2003 for service to Australian society through business.

  • Arthur Sanderson (2002 - 2006)

Arthur retired in 1989 as General Manager of the NSW & ACT National Australia Bank after 40 years service throughout Australia. Following this, he acted as adviser to the banking industry in countries throughout Asia for a period of 6 years and served on numerous boards.

  • Michael Kiely (1999)

Michael Kiely was founding chairman and managing director of Boomerang Integrated Marketing and Advertising. He was inducted into the Australian Direct Marketing Hall of Fame in 2001.

  • Ziggy Switkowski (2008 - 2011)

Dr Ziggy Switkowski is a former chief executive of Telstra, Optus and Kodak (Australasia). He is currently a non-executive director of Suncorp, Tabcorp, Healthscope and Opera Australia. In 2006, he chaired the Prime Minister’s Review of Uranium Mining, Processing and Nuclear Energy, and is now the Chair of the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organization. Dr Switkowski is a graduate of the University of Melbourne with a PhD in nuclear physics. He is a Fellow of the Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering.

  • Jonar Nader (2007)

Jonar is a Director of the Sydney College of Divinity, and the Principal of Logictivity, a consulting firm that specialises in business excellence. Jonar is the author of ‘How to Lose Friends and Infuriate People’ - a book about success, management and leadership.

  • Joseph Elu AO (2010 - 2012)

Mr Elu has chaired numerous organisations that aim to improve the health and nutrition of Indigenous Australians and currently co-chairs the Indigenous Community Volunteers Foundation, is a past board member of Reconciliation Australia and a past member of the board of SBS. Stemming from his committed service to indigenous communities, Joseph has been appointed as an Officer of the Order of Australia in the General Division. Joseph is a recipient of the Centenary Medal and holds an honorary Doctorate in Economics from the Queensland University of Technology.

  • John Borghetti (2010)

John Borghetti is a former Chief Executive Officer & Managing Director of The Virgin Blue Group of Airlines. Prior to this, Mr Borghetti was Executive General Manager of Qantas and Chairman on the Board of three Qantas subsidiary companies – Tour East Australia, Tour East Singapore and Holiday Tours & Travel Singapore – and was a Director of Jetset Travelworld. He has also served as a Director on the Board of Sydney FC and a Director on the Board of Piper Aircraft. Mr Borghetti is currently a Director on the Board of CARE Australia and a Director on the Board of The Australian Ballet.

    Ceremony hosts
    Year Host(s)
    1988 George Donikian
    1989 Mary Kostakidis
    1990 Geraldine Doogue
    1991 Mary Kostakidis
    1992
    1993
    1994
    1995 Geraldine Doogue
    1996 Mary Kostakidis
    1997
    1998 Beverley O'Connor
    1999 Geraldine Doogue
    2000 Beverley O'Connor
    2002 Geraldine Doogue
    2003 Sarah Henderson
    2004 Geraldine Doogue
    2005 Lisa Wilkinson
    2006
    2007
    2008 Tracey Spicer
    2009
    2010
    2011
    2012
    2013
    2014
    2015
    2016
    2017
    2018
    2019 Janice Petersen

    References
    1. "Refugee wins 2010 ethnic business award for Looksmart Alterations | Dynamic Business – Small Business Advice – Forums | Dynamic Business Australia". Dynamicbusiness.com.au. 2010-11-10. Retrieved 2012-02-15.
    2. "WA takes two of three Ethnic Business Awards - The West Australian". Au.news.yahoo.com. 2010-11-08. Retrieved 2012-02-15.
    3. "OUR VISION". Ethnic Business Awards. Retrieved 2020-10-28.
    4. "Ethnic Business Awards Nomination Judging". ethnicbusinessawards.com. 2020. Retrieved 2020-10-28.
    5. "Ethnic Business Awards Nomination Judging". ethnicbusinessawards.com. 2020. Retrieved 2020-10-28.
    6. "Ethnic Business Awards Nomination Judging". ethnicbusinessawards.com. 2020. Retrieved 2020-10-28.
    7. "Ethnic Business Awards Nomination Judging". ethnicbusinessawards.com. 2020. Retrieved 2020-10-28.
    8. "Ethnic Business Awards Nomination Judging". ethnicbusinessawards.com. 2020. Retrieved 2020-10-28.
    9. "Ethnic Business Awards Nomination Judging". ethnicbusinessawards.com. 2020. Retrieved 2020-10-28.
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