2010 Telstra Business Awards South Australian Winners

When teachers.on.net was launched in 1999, it was a pioneer for internet based recruitment of teachers for Australian schools. It is different from other national job websites which offer advertising for all sectors and it provides a low-cost alternative to print advertising. teachers.on.net allows schools to advertise vacancies online and jobseekers to apply directly to the school. Operating initially as a start-up in a home office, the Eastwood business overcame hesitance by some schools to embrace the then unproven method of internet advertising. The site’s traffic and business has grown solidly with monthly unique visitors increasing by 42 per cent between 2007 and 2009. The business says 3700 schools advertised vacancies on the site in 2009 with the monthly jobs ads total topping 1000 in October. teachers.on.net is now marketing itself to international schools seeking to recruit Australian teachers and sees this as a major growth area.

“Our milestone of ten years as an operational website was important for us because the education community places a lot of value on stability and longevity,”– Melissa Boonzaayer, Director.

Founded in 2002 by software contractors Jason Goodridge and Daniel Krause, Axios IT debunks the view that IT must be a cost to business. Joined by a third partner Scott Ayton in 2005, Axios IT’s principals are determined to make IT a revenue generator for its clients. This value-adding approach has brought the niche IT business sustained annual growth of between 40 and 100 per cent. Wayville-based Axios IT refined its service offering in 2008 to specialise in two key software areas – online product development and customised business systems. These help clients achieve quality or efficiency gains, reduce costs, improve customer outcomes and create new revenue streams. Axios IT’s partnership with major clients has brought many products to market including financial systems, training platforms, online dating sites and a diet and fitness assessment system.

“Axios IT’s primary objective is to create a competitive advantage for its customers – we view the software we create as a means to an end rather than the end itself,” Jason Goodridge, Managing Director.

Kelly Engineering evolved from what was a sideline to farming 20 years ago, into a family-owned manufacturer and exporter of quality agricultural machinery. Located on the Kelly’s farm near Booleroo Centre, the former machine-repairing hobby business now employs 38 staff with a turnover of $11m. It is a significant employer of apprentices in SA’s northern agricultural region. After entering export markets in 2006, it experienced growing demand from North America, Denmark, South Africa and New Zealand. Kelly’s innovative machinery contributes to sustainable agriculture by enhancing soil structure and health and reducing erosion and nutrient flow into waterways. The Kelly Disc Chain Harrow is its key product, a six-model range primarily used for stubble mulching but also for weed control, soil levelling and pasture seeding. The award-winning exporter commenced manufacturing machines under licence in Denmark last year and is on track to do the same in the US in 2010-11.

“Our background is farming so we have an excellent understanding of the reliable and versatile equipment that our farming customers need and expect.” – Shane Kelly, CEO.

Neutrog Australia’s innovative community-based marketing model is a key reason for the success of the Adelaide Hills organic fertiliser manufacturer, according to owner Angus Irwin. As it grew from a small factory to a 20-hectare plant, Neutrog invested enormous time, effort and resources in building close relationships with its home gardener and commercial markets. In the past decade, Neutrog partnered with 12 Australian garden societies and clubs which directly input into the development and testing of Neutrog’s fertiliser products. Under an agreement, they then formally endorse the final product in return for ongoing royalties of all retail sales. The endorsements are promoted prominently on Neutrog’s packaging, providing a high level of credibility with customers, a boost for its premium brand and a clear differentiation point from competitors. Similar relationships with many Australian botanic gardens, turf clubs and sporting stadiums have been the catalyst for developing or enhancing Neutrog products.

“Neutrog has distributed a total of $600,000 in royalties in the past decade to the rose and orchid societies and other groups with which we have a relationship,” - Angus Irwin, Managing Director.

When 23-year-old Angus Irwin and three partners made the choice to manufacture an organic fertiliser in 1989, they believed that it was superior to chemical based products and would have real environmental benefits. The Kanmantoo-based Neutrog Australia also felt that more sustainable products would be the basis of a sound business. As Neutrog grew into a successful national and export business, it educated thousands of people on the use and benefits of organic products – 240 public meetings in 2009 alone. Neutrog donated more than $1 million worth of product to community groups in the past decade. It donates $50,000 worth of product a year to botanic gardens around Australia. The business will financially support the Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden Foundation in a program to encourage children to grow and prepare their own seasonal produce. Neutrog also will supply each school in the program with their annual fertiliser requirements at no cost.

“Social responsibility practices have allowed us to differentiate our company from our competitors and achieve business success,” – Angus Irwin, Managing Director.