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Celebrating Australia’s best businesses
Congratulations to all the Telstra Business Awards winners, who have been selected by our expert judging panel as the highest achieving businesses in their respective categories. We wish them all the best with their future success, and we can’t wait to see what they’ll achieve next.
2018 Telstra Australian Business of the Year
“We focus on delivering disruptive cybersecurity capability to solve tomorrow's digital challenges. Our team can identify and solve the hard problems that others haven’t been able to unlock.” Matthew Wilson, CEO
Canberra-based cybersecurity firm Penten focuses on two core areas: enabling government users to access classified information on mobile devices and tricking and trapping attackers with realistic decoys using machine learning.
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2018 Telstra Medium & Making Waves Award
“Our vision is to be Australia’s bookstore, and we’re achieving that by focusing on our customers and making them the centre of decisions and our ecosystem.” Tony Nash, Founder and CEO
In 2004, Tony Nash, Simon Nash and Steve Traurig began Booktopia as a side project on a $10 per day budget. With no external investment, they have turned Booktopia into one of Australia’s leading online retailers with revenue of $115 million, 160 staff and 4 million customers.
2018 Telstra Australian Micro Business Award
"We credit our success to mentors. Our strategy has always been to surround ourselves with experts to help us grow and hit our targets." Troy Douglas, Co-Founder and Brand Director
The story of beverage brand Nexba began on a beach during a summer's day in Rio Nexba, Mexico in 2010. Enjoying a cold glass of ice tea, engineer Drew Bilbe was inspired to create his own natural, low-calorie real ice tea to share with family and friends back home in Australia.
“We want to inspire women to live healthy and active lives by producing high quality activewear for all women, regardless of their shape, size or stage of life.” Stevie Angel, Co-Founder
Co-founders Stevie Angel and Nadia Tucker discovered that buying new active wear post pregnancy was a challenge and from there stemmed Active Truth, an online active wear company that caters to, and celebrates, all women regardless of their shape, size or stage of life.
“Be Fit Food takes the guesswork out of healthy eating by providing Australians with scientifically formulated meals for improving overall health and well-being’’ Kate Save, CEO
Combining their weight loss industry expertise, bariatric surgeon Mr Geoffrey Draper and Kate Save, a dietitian, exercise physiologist and diabetes educator, created Be Fit Food as a food-based tool that could remedy chronic disease and enhance long-term health.
“Our vision is to be Australia’s bookstore, and we’re achieving that by focusing on our customers and making them the centre of decisions and our ecosystem.” Tony Nash, Founder and CEO
In 2004, Tony Nash, Simon Nash and Steve Traurig began Booktopia as a side project on a $10 per day budget. With no external investment, they have turned Booktopia into one of Australia’s leading online retailers with revenue of $115 million, 160 staff and 4 million customers.
“Our focus is to minimise the incidence and impact of cancer on all Tasmanians. Their courage and resilience inspires us every day to continue with our efforts.” Penny Egan, Chief Executive Officer
Cancer Council Tasmania (CCT) is funded principally by the community. With over nine Tasmanians a day receiving a cancer diagnosis, it is focused on its mission to minimise the impact and incidence of cancer on all Tasmanians.
“We're enabling small and medium sized logistics companies to be competitive with the industry giants by developing easy-to-use cloud-based technology.” Vincent Fletcher, Co-Founder
CartonCloud was originally developed to save a refrigerated transport and warehousing company from bankruptcy. The business is now used by over 90 carriers and warehouses across Australia and New Zealand after new owners Nic Comrie and Vincent Fletcher solved the company’s key challenge, poorly managed administration and operation costs, with a new software solution.
“We see possibilities and are driven by pushing boundaries, working outside our comfort zones to create the unimagined for our client’s events. This is not a job for us. We do what we love.” Francesca Pavone, Director
Established 14 years ago by husband and wife Nick Gulino and Francesca Pavone, Dann Event Hire’s essence is creative, collaborative design. As a forward-thinking event hire company, they specialise in designing and manufacturing cutting-edge furniture, contemporary furnishings, feature lighting, hospitality equipment and marquee structures.
“We endeavour to bring innovation, excellence and creativity to all the events we are engaged with. As a one-stop-shop for all things events in NT, we can accommodate the vast needs that other competitors cannot.” Chris O’Brien, Founder
Born out of desperate need to create an additional income stream, founder Chris O’Brien, progressively built up Dreamedia Events to what it is today. Working in almost every venue in Darwin and Uluru the business creates and produces many of the NT’s largest events such as national touring acts, festivals and sports events.
“Our aim is to reduce ear disease prevalence and upskill Aboriginal Medical Services and local health workers, so they can manage it at the community level in culturally safe and secure ways.” Paul Higginbotham, CEO and Co-Founder
Inspired by Ear Nose and Throat Specialist Professor Harvey Coates AO, who has spent a professional lifetime working in remote Aboriginal communities, Earbus Foundation exists to tackle the problem of Aboriginal children's poor ear health.
“We believe we have succeeded in our mission when we observe people playing wilder and enjoying an outdoor lifestyle. Sharing in their successes and excitement reiterates what we ourselves love and how we ‘find our feet’.” Hanny Allston, Founding Director
Find Your Feet Australia is a multi-faceted independent company that is devoted to providing an exceptional retail experience and quality education to inspire the community to enjoy an outdoors lifestyle and ‘find their feet’.
“We see the environment changing, our seas becoming more polluted, animal species becoming extinct, and climate change becoming a real issue. This is the inspiration behind our business.” Ms Julie Mathers, Founder and CEO
In 2014, Flora & Fauna founder and passionate vegan Julie Mathers started her business with one clear mission: to be the most ethical retailer possible with the best customer service. Today, the online store sells over 4,500 products across organic and vegan skin care, make-up, body, home and lifestyle ranges.
“Hunger is often not just a food problem; it’s also a logistics problem. Without our food sourcing and distribution network, many hungry individuals would miss out on food.” Mr Gerry Anderson, CEO
Each year millions of kilograms of food go to waste in Australia, while 3.6 million Australians have experienced food insecurity in the last 12 months. Started in 1992, Foodbank provides a solution by capturing surplus food and delivering it to the people who need it most. In the 26 years since launching, Foodbank NSW & ACT (FBNA) is part of the largest food relief organisation in Australia.
“We want our protein powders to make women all over the world feel positive about their body and empowered to make an impact on their life.” Hien Nguyen, Co-Founder
Working as a personal trainer for over 15 years, Hien Nguyen would have many of his female clients asking for suggestions of protein powders as most formulas were designed for male bodies. After months of researching and gathering data, Hien and his co-founder Ben Germein, had a break through and created Happy Way protein powder.
“As a progressive technology organisation, we’re dedicated to advancing the capability of helicopter rotary-wing operations worldwide.” Will Shrapnel, Founder
Founded in 2002 by Will Shrapnel, HeliMods was built on an appreciation of, and a thirst to understand, the technical complexity and mission versatility of helicopters. As a technology company, it delivers innovative products and services for rotary-wing operations in Australia and around the world.
“We want our gym to inspire and educate our clients to become the best version of themselves through our step-by-step holistic approach. We help our clients live a fitter, stronger, pain-free life.” Karlene Dagg, Owner
More than just a gym, HK Holistic Health Klub offers lifestyle coaching focused on developing healthy habits through exercise, nutrition and expert advice. As the only training facility offering this holistic health approach to lifestyle change in the NT, the Klub helps clients set and smash new goals to live a healthier, longer and pain-free life.
“Dr Jean Hailes had a far-sighted vision to improve the quality of women's lives and give them practical information based on the best-available evidence. That vision continues to inspire us today.” Janet Michelmore AO, Executive Director
Jean Hailes for Women's Health is a national not-for-profit organisation dedicated to improving the knowledge of women's health throughout the various stages of their lives. Founded in 1990, the organisation reflects the enduring legacy of Dr Jean Hailes AM, who passionately advocated for women to understand the facts about their health.
“Our concept is based on a model seen in the US but never in Australia before: a paediatric occupational therapy clinic that specialised in the private treatment of children with attention and behavioural issues.” Joanna Buttfield, Founder and Executive Director – Clinical Operations
Kid Sense Child Development is one of South Australia's leading private providers of paediatric occupational therapy and speech pathology services to children with disabilities and developmental challenges.
“The inclusion of marine botanicals and Australian natives in our product celebrates the uniqueness of these ingredients and showcases what Australian spirits are all about.” Vanessa Wilton, co-founder and marketing manager
Founders and husband and wife duo, David and Vanessa Wilton were inspired by the successful craft beer scene and the success of Australian distillers who were receiving international recognition. Manly Spirits Co produces premium Australian handcrafted gins, vodka and whiskies by the stunning surrounding marine environment of the New South Wales coastline.
“Our dedication to safety has seen MineARC Systems become a global trailblazer in the manufacture and supply of emergency refuge chambers used in the underground mining, tunnelling, chemical processing and disaster relief industries.” Dion Smith, Sales and Marketing Director
The first MineARC refuge chamber was built in Perth in 1999, featuring the worlds very first combined CO/CO2 Scrubbing System. These chambers provide trapped miners with breathable air, free of dangerous gases, extending survivability from hours to days. Previously, corporations used chambers such as sea containers with no cooling, no gas detection and no protection, which were more like coffins than safe havens.
“Pachamama's hope is that our business serves as a lighthouse shining a beacon across early education and childcare, providing a light with which others can choose to navigate.” Mrs Kristen McPhail, co-founder and director
Inspired by the ancient Incan ‘Mother Earth’, Pachamama aims to become a home-away-from-home for children; a creative natural environment in which they can learn life skills and form trusting relationships. With two rapidly growing childcare centres in the Perth Hills, Pachamama uses art and nature to encourage younger generations to 'think outside the square'.
“We focus on delivering disruptive cybersecurity capability to solve tomorrow's digital challenges. Our team can identify and solve the hard problems that others haven’t been able to unlock.” Matthew Wilson, CEO
Canberra-based cybersecurity firm Penten focuses on two core areas: enabling government users to access classified information on mobile devices and tricking and trapping attackers with realistic decoys using machine learning.
“Our mission is to be at the centre of excellence for feline veterinary care in Perth and to advocate for cat health and welfare.” Dr Martine van Boeijen, Founder
During her career as a vet, Dr Martine van Boeijen realised that many cats failed to receive the same high level of care as other pets, such as dogs. Motivated to make a difference, she focused her career on feline medicine and, in 2016, opened the doors to Perth Cat Hospital.
“Our commitment to take on what no other organisation seeks to do – streamlining public hospital costing and billing functions – and our constant focus on customer retention and R&D, has enabled our business to thrive for two decades.” Patrick Power, Managing Director
Established in 1995, PowerHealth is a global healthcare software partner, offering products to optimise efficiency and productivity in hospitals and other healthcare organisations.
“We seek to not only help individuals deal with their immediate injury or trauma, we want to show them how to become healthier and happier and be a positive influence on those around them.” Nives Matkovic, Founder
ProActiv People Solutions was established in 2006 to provide a holistic approach to the provision of injury management services. The business not only returns people to work, it also restores them to the community and empowers them to be active participants in their world.
“People with end-stage renal failure now have hope, families are reunited, and traditional owners can look after their country. We’re not just saving people, we’re saving a way of life.” Sarah Brown, CEO
By incorporating western medicine and Indigenous concepts of caring and wellbeing, Purple House provides a whole new model of care for dialysis patients in remote Australian communities. The business offers an in-community service for which people would otherwise have to dislocate to regional centres , hundreds of kilometres, away from their country and homes.
“What motivates us and fuels our passion for work and life is contributing in a very real way towards building a better society through better thinking.” Dr Samantha Crompvoets, Director
Rapid Context was founded in 2015 to give people a sophisticated way to think about issues facing their organisations. By providing rapid delivery of in-depth research and analysis, the business helps organisations to develop and implement change, policies and programs.
“We want to inspire, educate and advocate for a barefoot natural approach for horses around the globe, changing 1500 years of tradition. Our Scoot Boots allow horses to virtually go barefoot, an option that is much suitable to their overall health.” David MacDonald, Creator
Scoot Boots is the only Australian manufacturer of protective equine hoof boots. Creator and Co-Founder Dave MacDonald has been working with horses as a trainer and farrier for 30 years, so he knows the benefits of hoof boots, which are designed to allow horses to forgo the steel shoe.
“Sensum has a mission to disrupt the status-quo within traditional construction industries. We are delivering projects that positively impact the lives of others.” Nick Strongman, Chief Executive Officer
Sensum provides a unique and personalised project management service to clients in the construction industry. With the business growing rapidly, they continue to expand their service offerings, including program management, prefabrication & modular construction expertise and consultant services.
“We deliver the results needed today, and are on track to deliver the demands created by the rapidly growing and evolving sponsorship industry of tomorrow.” Mark Thompson, Managing Director
SponServe is a cloud-based rights-management platform for sponsorship professionals which started in Canberra but since spans Australasia, Europe and the USA. It provides a way of tracking and measuring sponsorship relationships for brands and rights owners including the English Premier League, the English FA, Williams F1 and AS Roma in Italy.
“The impact on children being taken into care is severe and long-term. We are providing a solution to a community need which is driving social change.” Bronwyn Sheehan, Founder
The concept for the The Pyjama Foundation was born when founder, Bronwyn Sheehan, met a baby boy in the foster care system who was frightened and clinging to his foster carer. The foundation works with volunteers to empower children in foster care with the life skills and confidence they need to change the direction of their life.
“Every design project we work on, every single day, is selected because of its capacity to make the world a better place.” Dr Nina Terrey, Global Partner
ThinkPlace is a strategic design consultancy specialising in designing for public good within complex systems. It started in 2005 when former public service executive John Body saw the potential for a company that applied design thinking and a process of co-design to solve complex problems within the public, private and humanitarian sectors.
“Our team’s multidisciplinary expertise combined with widespread experience working in regional centres across Northern Australia is the foundation of our success.” Elena Madden, Owner
Drawing on a long history of working in the Territory, True North Strategic Communication provides clients with communication and community engagement, media relations, marketing and professional writing advice and services that make an impact. With offices in Darwin, Katherine and Alice Springs, the team of 12 local Territorians prides themselves on their local knowledge.
