Narrabri urged to capitalise on Innovation Awards extension

RDANI Project Officer, Kim-Trieste Hastings; NSW Account Manager for Klingspor Abrasives Technology, Greg Giancotti; and Faber Toolboxes’ National Marketing Manager, Geraldine Faber.

The Prime Super Northern Inland Innovation Awards represent an opportunity for Narrabri Shire to be recognised for its innovative businesses and the resulting impact that the Shire has on the region’s economic and social development. If your business has been innovative, diversified, or expanded to captured niche markets, or better meet customer or community needs through new approaches, then your time to shine is now. The Awards are run by Regional Development Australia Northern Inland (RDANI). Due to strong interest, the deadline for nominations has been extended to Thursday 30 September, 2010.

Narrabri Shire Mayor, Cr. Robyn Faber, like others in her family, are proud to be part of the Narrabri business sector because of the ‘innovative approaches, community-minded, pro-active attitudes and enduring strength’. Mayor Faber has called on local operations to stand up and be counted as innovators in their respective industries. “Innovation is a major component for a sustainable business,” she said. “Irrespective of the industry, new ideas, new ways of doing things, new systems all help us remain competitive and be market leaders.”

“Narrabri Shire is well-endowed with innovative people and businesses, something which has helped create a resilient community. I encourage these same people and businesses to enter the Awards and receive the recognition they deserve for making our Shire a leader in regional development,” Mayor Faber said.
 

The Prime Super Northern Inland Innovation Award Categories are:
 

• Agriculture / Horticulture and associated services
• Tourism / Leisure and services
• Professional and Retail services
• Manufacturing and Engineering
• Research and Education

The 2010 Innovation of the Year Award will be presented to the leading innovator across all categories. Innovation is not necessarily invention. The RDANI Innovation Awards Committee will select the finalists, who will be invited to attend the gala awards evening on Saturday, 13 November at the Inverell RSM Club.

RDANI Executive Officer, Nathan Axelsson said the holistic development of northern inland communities needs innovative businesses. “Importantly, people nominating their business stand to inspire others in the region. Make your region proud of what you are doing and how you are doing it. Show others in the region that they can succeed commercially or make a real difference, through being innovative and taking a bold new approach,” he said.

RDANI Project Officer Kim-Trieste Hastings said that from Quirindi to Moree, and across to Tenterfield, the Prime Super Northern Inland Innovation Awards should see strong nominations from across the 13 Local Government Areas of New England North West NSW. “Innovative and growing businesses and organisations are important (often critical) to the economic and social development of their local communities and the region, as a whole,” she said.

For a nomination form, contact RDANI: 02 6771 2790 or download the nomination form via: www.niia.com.au