TELSTRA BUSINESS WOMEN'S AWARDS

The Hon. R.P. WORTLEY (15:25): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking the Minister for the Status of Women a question about this year's South Australian Telstra Business Women's Award recipients.

Leave granted.

The Hon. R.P. WORTLEY: The South Australian Telstra Business Women's Awards were first introduced in 1995 and, since then, they have continued to play an important role in ensuring that women are publicly recognised for their achievements in a diverse range of fields. They also highlight the role women play in all sectors of our community and their contribution to our economy. My question to the minister is: what was the outcome of this year's awards and what kinds of contributions did this year's winners make?

The Hon. G.E. GAGO (Minister for Agriculture, Food and Fisheries, Minister for Forests, Minister for Regional Development, Minister for the Status of Women, Minister for State/Local Government Relations) (15:26): I thank the honourable member for his most important question. I have had the pleasure of attending the South Australian Telstra Business Women's Awards every year since becoming the Minister for the Status of Women in 2008, with the exception of 2010, I think. I was delighted to be able to attend again this year.

Since 2008, I have witnessed the extraordinary number of accomplished and really inspirational women working in a wide range of very diverse fields who have been chosen to represent South Australia as finalists and winners at the awards. In this, the awards' 19^th year, which is again quite remarkable, the high calibre of finalists and winners once again demonstrated the extraordinary talent that we have here in this state.

What I always find particularly inspiring is listening to the stories of these women, many of them very young women who have the most extraordinary stories to tell. Even though their experience might be short, they have achieved truly remarkable things. I will be delighted to see how they develop into our state, national and perhaps even international leaders in the future. I congratulate all those women who were nominated in one of the award categories and recognised as finalists and winners.

In particular, I would like to acknowledge and congratulate this year's South Australian Telstra Business Woman of the Year, Cheryl Shigrov, Director of Precious Cargo Education. Established in 2006, Precious Cargo Education now has four early education centres at St Peter's, Myrtle Bank, Westbourne Park and Lockleys and employees over 200 staff. Ms Shigrov was rewarded for her passion for early childhood education, along with her entrepreneurial spirit. She was also the recipient of the Business Owners Award. I commend her on her achievements.

Other award winners on the night were Ms Nicole Graham, Chief Executive of the Spastic Centres of South Australia, and Ms Alison Pearson, Centre Manager, Westfield Tea Tree Plaza. As CEO of SCOSA, I am advised that Ms Graham oversees over 200 highly-trained staff who provide respite care to approximately 350 South Australians with a disability. She was acknowledged for her work in increasing donations by over $1 million a year, raising brand awareness as well as improving staff retention. Also president of the YWCA, Ms Graham was honoured with the Community and Government Award and also with the Young Business Women's Award.

Ms Pearson was honoured with the Private and Corporate Sector Award. I am advised that Ms Pearson, who oversees the $470 million Westfield Tea Tree Plaza shopping complex, is noted amongst her peers as a committed advocate for supporting the growth of women leaders within the business. I am advised that each category winner wins $4,000 prize money and that Telstra recognises the South Australian Business Woman of the Year with a major prize of $10,000. I congratulate Telstra on its continued support of inspirational South Australian women in business.

The PRESIDENT: Before I call on orders of the day and before I call you, the Hon. Mr Darley, earlier today the Hon. Ms Lensink sought to make a personal explanation. Just for the information of the whole council and honourable members, standing order 173 governs personal explanations, which are:

By the indulgence of the Council, a Member may explain matters of a personal nature although there be no question before the Council; but such matters may not be debated.

So, it was not quite a personal explanation, and I acknowledge that the minister did not enter into the debate.