Nominations open for ‘Prime Super Northern Inland Innovation Awards’

The 2009 winners [clockwise from top left]: TRaMS of Armidale, Manuka Chaff of Quirindi, GC Agriculture of Uralla, Treloars of Tamworth and Cottage on the Hill of Nundle

Regional Development Australia Northern Inland (RDANI) is calling for nominations for the Prime Super Northern Inland Innovation Awards from people who think outside the square, go the extra mile in a new direction and are innovative workers for their organisation or business.

RDANI Chair, Mal Peters said the awards are recognition of the contribution made by business to economic prosperity and well being of the northern inland communities and residents. Importantly the awards are to showcase and promote initiatives, products and services and create linkages between people that will assist in the development of business innovation to help our region grow and prosper. Nominations close on Friday 24 September.

RDANI Project Officer Kim-Trieste Hastings said she will be getting the word out about the awards. “I’ll be working hard to get in touch with the business and industry sectors of Northern Inland NSW. I also will connect with Councils, representatives of various representative bodies, business and industry organisations. It is important that people throughout the region are aware of these innovation awards and the opportunity they represent,” she said.

According to Ms Hastings, nominations from Quirindi to Moree, and across to Tenterfield are being strongly encouraged because there are many quiet achievers that can gain much from this unique opportunity for regional exposure. “The region’s residents are often unaware of the businesses that are virtually in their own backyard and the innovative work that they are doing. Innovation isn’t invention. There are so many operations out there, large and small, which are innovative, growing and succeeding. We want to hear these stories.

“If you stand out from the crowd and that has helped you to be competitive as a regionally based organisation, we want to hear from you. Make us proud, across the region, of what you are doing and how you are doing it,” Ms. Hastings 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.

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.

“The Northern Inland Innovation Awards are fortunate to have an entirely appropriate major sponsor. Prime Super is Australia's largest national superannuation fund dedicated to rural and regional Australia. Many innovative approaches are undertaken by the region’s businesses to gain a competitive edge in spite of the challenges that their regional location may present. Recognition of success through innovation on a regional level can only help Northern Inland NSW to be better appreciated as a progressive region on State, National and even International levels,” Ms Hastings said.

For a nomination form, contact the Regional Development Australia Northern Inland office on: 02 6771 2790 or download the nomination form at the Award’s website: www.niia.com.au