Gunnedah Businesses urged to represent their community

Gunnedah Shire Council Economic Development & Tourism Manager, Chris Frend, RDA Northern Inland Snr Project Officer, Kim-Trieste Hastings and GSC Mayor, Cr. Adam Marshall.

The 2011 Regional Development Australia Northern Inland (RDANI) Innovation Awards deadline for entries is fast approaching. Business or public sector organisation representatives are being urged to put their hand up for recognition at a regional level.

Gunnedah Shire Mayor, Cr Adam Marshall has reiterated his call for businesses in the Gunnedah area to enter the Northern Inland Innovation Awards. “These awards are a great opportunity to recognise how Gunnedah locals do business well. They should consider what sets them apart, put it down on paper and send it in,” Cr Marshall said. “Innovative businesses and individuals drive our community forward, creating more employment opportunities, attracting investment and making both Gunnedah and the broader region, economically robust and competitive into the future."

"With Gunnedah hosting the awards presentation evening this year, they should be an excellent showcase of local initiatives, products and services."

'Do not delay' is the message from the awards' organiser. "If you have pride in what your business or organisation is doing and (particularly) in how it is doing things differently, then now is the time to enter and make the rest of the region proud of its progressive, innovative and dedicated business operators," RDANI Senior Project Officer, Kim-Trieste Hastings said. "Our region's businesses are closely linked to their local communities. Yet, their innovative spirit and community contributions are under-recognised. The Northern Inland Innovation Awards provide that recognition and promotion."

Entries are being sought from throughout the Armidale Dumaresq, Glen Innes Severn, Gunnedah, Guyra, Gwydir, Inverell, Liverpool Plains, Moree Plains, Narrabri, Tamworth Regional, Tenterfield, Uralla and Walcha Council areas.

Categories are: Agriculture / Horticulture and associated services; Tourism / Leisure and Services; Professional and Retail services; Manufacturing and Engineering; and Research and Education. The 2011 Innovation of the Year Award will be presented to the leading innovator across all categories. Innovation is not necessarily invention; it can, for example, be a practice, approach or procedure.

The Awards have attracted public and private sector support this year, including: the NSW Department of Trade and Investment, Regional Infrastructure and Services; the Federal Government's Enterprise Connect; AusIndustry; New England Mutual; AgriFood Skills Australia; Austsafe Super; and Eastern Star Gas, with RDANI being the primary funding body.

Ms Hastings said that RDANI is mindful of how 'time-stressed' the region's businesses are, so the process is concise. "By entering, you not only stand to promote the efforts of your business at local and regional levels, you will also help promote and inspire Northern Inland NSW."

The closing date for entries is Wednesday, 21 September and forms can be found at www.niia.com.au.

The gala awards presentation evening will be held at the Gunnedah Services and Bowling Club on Friday, 28 October. Tickets need to be purchased by Friday, 14 October, at a cost of $60.00 pp.