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RESEARCH and communications agency Winangali has won the coveted 2012 Telstra Queensland Business of the Year Award and will now be considered for the national title.
The government-funded indigenous communications experts assist with providing valuable links between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and the public and private sectors.
The Dutton Park-based agency also won this year’s Micro-Business Award. Director Noel Niddrie (pictured right with staff) says Winangali has taken a different approach to communications.
“While attempts had been made over the years by governments to improve communication, they were missing their target audiences because their messaging was ‘top-down’, misdirected and culturally inappropriate,” he says.
“We have a goal of always leaving a legacy in the indigenous communities that we visit in the form of skills, education, employment or financial assistance.”
Since the Aboriginal-owned, managed and staffed agency was established in 2005, it has conducted developmental research for the Closing the Gap initiative and evaluated the Indigenous Chronic Disease Package.
The company has also developed communication strategies for the Stronger Futures initiative in the Northern Territory.
At an awards ceremony held in the Sofitel Brisbane Central hotel, judges commended Winangali for its “great balance” and “cause-committed” business.
“They were particularly impressed with the team effort and spirit in the business, its business discipline and focus – and the balance in its decision-making between commercial advantage – and integrity and values,” says Telstra Business Group managing director Will Irving.
Other 2012 winners were: Southport financier Cash Doctors (People’s Choice), Upper Coomera veterinary clinic The Vet Lounge (Start Up), Airlie Beach tourism operator A&L Laurent (Small Business) and Mena Creek rainforest tourist-attraction Paronella Park (Medium Business).
Premier Campbell Newman also congratulated Paronella for claiming the Queensland Government Regional Award.
“This award recognises the achievements of Queensland businesses doing extraordinary things in our regions. Looking at the calibre of the finalists, it’s clear that our people are our greatest natural resource in this state,” he says.
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