Ethnic Business Awards 2006 Winners Announced at the Sydney Opera House Released by: Ethnic Business Awards Web Site: http://www.etcom.com.au One of the longest running awards in Australia. Email: etcom@etcom.com.au Keywords: Ethnic, Business, Awards, Sydney, Australia, Assaf Update Date: 11/18/2006 5:19:58 AM Hits: 131 Descrption:  Cheese Making to Educating :: Diverse Mix of Winners at the Ethnic Business Awards 2006 Sydney, November 2006 - The Sydney Opera House set the stage last night for the 18th Ethnic Business Awards (EBA). His Excellency Major General Michael Jeffery AC CVO MC joined other distinguished guests at the annual Gala presentation, where immigrant business owners were recognised for their outstanding contribution to the Australian economy. Accepting the Medium/Large Business Award, Mr Silvio Pitruzzello attributed the win to his father Sebastiano. “The success of our business comes from the hard work and passion of my father. He came to Australia from Sicily in the 1960’s with a suitcase and a dream, and now 33 years on, the Pantalica Cheese Company is a thriving business.” Representing an assortment of cultural backgrounds and covering a broad range of industry sectors the EBAs has welcomed over 6,000 entries since its inception. The following businesses were presented with an award; Large Business Award: Pantalica Cheese Company – received by Mr Silvio Pitruzzello from Italy. Small Business Award: kikki.K Pty Ltd – received by Ms Kristina Karlsson, Managing Director, from Sweden. Initiative Award: Skybury Coffee Pty.Ltd – received by Mr Ian MacLaughlin, Company Director, from South Africa. Women in Business Award: The Education Group – received by Ms Neda Morris, Director, from Macedonia. In a country where approximately 20 per cent of the population speak a language other than English at home the Ethnic Business Awards has grown to become a most anticipated annual event. “In Australia, diversity is a fact of life and because of that, multiculturalism is a way of life. It is a way of life that enables Australia to harness and promote the ingenuity, vision and enterprise that characterises many of its new citizens,” said Mr Joseph Assaf, founder of the EBAs. The Hon Fran Bailey MP commented, "The Australian Government is proud to be associated with the Ethnic Business Awards. I congratulate all of tonight's winners and finalists on their vision and initiative at achieving this success." Group Managing Director of Telstra Business, Deena Shiff, said Telstra's ongoing support of the Awards recognised the contribution that migrants had made to the success of many Australian businesses. George Frazis, Executive General Manager of Business and Private Banking at the National Australia Bank (NAB), said: “We pride ourselves in taking the time to understand and connect with our clients. That’s one reason why we sponsor these awards, to help recognise great business." The Awards will be aired twice on Australia Network to an estimated 10.1 million homes across 41 countries, and replayed by 155 broadcasters throughout the region, seen in 200,000 hotel rooms. In Australia, the Awards will be televised on SBS at 1pm on Thursday, November 30 and repeated at 1pm on Saturday, December 2, 2006. _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ For Photos, Sponsors, and Mr Assaf's speech - please VISIT >>> www.etcom.com.au VISIT >>> www.etcom.com.au/EBA2006/eba2006.htm _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ For further information, please contact: Claire Cogswell Public Relations Etcom [ ethnic communications ] claire.cogswell@etcom.com.au +61 2 9568 8398 Media note:: Higher resolution images are available upon request Contact infomation: claire.cogswell@etcom.com.au