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House of Assembly - Fifty-Third Parliament, First Session (53-1)
2014-08-05 Daily Xml
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Zonta Riverland Women in Business Awards

Mr WHETSTONE (Chaffey) (15:52): Today I rise to highlight the fantastic work in Chaffey—in the Riverland and Mallee—being done by a passionate and committed community—our dedicated women in business. On Saturday the Riverland hosted the 2014 Zonta Riverland Women in Business Awards recognising Riverland and Mallee women who have achieved at the highest level in the local business community.

These individuals are role models and leaders in the community and these awards highlight the important role that women play in our businesses and the community social structures and recognise the growing participation of women at the highest levels, particularly in South Australian small business and in regional areas. The awards aim to:

encourage women to advance in their business and reward their achievements;

identify and showcase role models for other women;

provide inspirational and motivational support;

encourage networking and advancement through personal and professional development; and

highlight the importance of women in our business and social community.

I would like to commend the Zonta Club of the Riverland on its initiative to host these awards and the volunteer hours and effort that goes into organising and judging such an event. It is an outstanding opportunity to recognise and reward women for their efforts in the regions, particularly in the business community.

The awards celebrate the high quality of candidates received by judges which is held on a biennial basis. The major award winner for this year was Koula Papageorgiou, owner of Dimples Boutique in Berri and Renmark. I know Koula and she is a remarkable woman. Her shop is open seven days a week, 12 hours a day. She is there for the community and to help women in business. My passing interest has been that she is not just there to sell fashion; she is there to give advice and to be a mentor to not only the young women, but to all women who come into her shop. I think that is a testament to why her business is so successful and why she has been there for 22 years. So we thank Koula.

Dimitria Dale of Andrew and Dale Solicitors was the Business Owner runner-up. Nicole Bratis of Pure Skin Beauty Therapy was the Young Achiever winner. It is great to see so many young women having a go at running a small business. In my time in the Riverland, once upon a time, young women used to only go out to work for someone else. Over time, things have changed, yes. These young women have got the confidence now to enter the workplace, set up a business and have a go, so it is great to see. Chelsea Ling of Riverland Physiotherapy Works was the runner-up for the Young Achiever Award.

Erica Babbage from Banrock Station Wine and Wetland Centre is well known to many in the area. Obviously, many people visit the Banrock Wetland Centre, and she is always a friendly face who meets and greets and who offers people an experience at the centre. Lyn Bretag from Renmark Primary School was named the Business Manager runner-up. I think it is vital to have strong business leaders and managers. Lyn often says that it is not only about her being a principal of a primary school, but it is also about her being a great mentor to those students at that school. I think her work has been outstanding over an extended period of time.

I would like to see further government incentives to increase the uptake of apprentices and trainees, and in doing so this would support small businesses. We often hear about these incentive programs for apprentices and trainees. I was listening to one of our federal ministers on radio last night who said that on average 50 per cent of apprentices and trainees across Australia drop out. I think that is a terrible indictment on the support given to apprentices and trainees. Obviously, there is not enough incentive for employers to take on the burden of an apprentice or a trainee, and that needs to be improved. It is important to continue to recognise the hard work of our female business leaders. Once again, I commend everyone involved with the Zonta club and these fantastic awards.

Time expired.

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