TOWNSVILLE’S TOP EXPORTERS WIN AWARDS: PREMIER

Embargo – 10.30PM Friday, August 31, 2007

Premier Peter Beattie has congratulated local businesses that have taken their products and services to the world and won 2007 Townsville Region Export and Business Excellence Awards.

The nine winners were announced by Natural Resources and Water Minister and Minister Assisting the Premier in North Queensland Craig Wallace at a special ceremony at Southbank Convention Centre tonight (August 31).

“Congratulations to each and every winner because your business achievements and innovation are making a valuable contribution to the Smart State,” Mr Beattie said.

“Well done to Digital Dimensions for taking out the Townsville Regional Exporter of the Year Award,” he said.

Digital Dimensions is a small multimedia production house producing natural history documentaries and high-level corporate communications material. Its factual documentaries and programming are aimed at an international audience, portraying the unique animals, resources and natural beauty that Australia and Queensland has to offer.
“All of the finalists have made significant contributions to Queensland’s economy, as well as helped create investment opportunities and showcased the Smart State vision.”

Mr Beattie said the calibre of award winners was undeniable proof of the place Queensland has earned in the global business community.

“Our export sector benefits all Queenslanders and we will continue to forge ahead building new trade relationships and offering smart business solutions to the world.”

Mr Wallace said the Townsville region was a powerhouse of business expertise and innovation.

“We are a booming region and these awards show we have the businesspeople and the business skills to underpin this exciting growth,” Mr Wallace said.

All regional applicants will be in the running for the Premier of Queensland’s Export Awards. Winners of these State awards will be announced at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre on Thursday, October 25.

A list of winners follows. More information is online at www.exportawards.qld.gov.au

Media Contacts – Premier’s Office (07) 3224 4500
Minister’s Office – Paul Childs 0407 131 654


Townsville Region Export and Business Excellence Awards 2007 Winners

Winner Townsville Port Authority Regional Exporter Award
Digital Dimensions
Digital Dimensions is a multimedia production house with two main production streams: natural history and other documentaries, and high-end corporate communications. Digital Dimensions is a small unit successfully competing on the world stage, producing documentaries and factual programming that portray Australia’s unique animals, resources and stunning natural beauty. Digital Dimensions also has the largest library of High Definition Indo-Pacific underwater stock vision in the world, which is sold worldwide. www.digitaldimensions.com.au

Winner Sun Metals Small Business Award
iQ Australia
Based in Townsville, iQ Australia provides immigration and visa assistance services to both individuals and businesses. iQ Australia also operates an education agency and provides employment recruitment services. iQ Australia’s customers range from individual clients seeking assistance with visa applications to study, work or migrate to Australia, to businesses in the region seeking to employ staff from overseas. iQ Australia employs two registered migration agents, and is now the preferred migration service provider for businesses in the region.

Winner Channel 7 Local News Arts Award
Digital Dimensions (see earlier entry)

Winner Svitzer Agribusiness Award
Honeycombes Sales and Service
Honeycombes Sales and Service is one of Queensland’s largest dealers of new and used motor vehicles and agricultural machinery. Honeycombes operates a number of dealerships throughout central and northern Queensland, and is the region’s authorised dealer of John Deere and Cameco agricultural machinery. Entering the export market in 2004, Honeycombes now exports used cane harvesting machinery into Thailand. www.honeycombessales.com.au

Winner State Development Services Award
Pacific Marine Group Pty Ltd
Established in 1986, Pacific Marine Group (PMG) is involved in the shipping, marine projects and commercial diving industry. PMG specialises in commercial diving, marine construction and engineering, including new product development and towage. PMG has extensive experience in marine contracting and commercial diving throughout Australia and Papua New Guinea, and has achieved domestic and international recognition through the supply of diving and marine services.
www.pacificmarinegroup.com.au

Winner ANZ Education Award
James Cook University
James Cook University (JCU) creates knowledge through research and disseminates that knowledge via teaching. The University contributes significant amounts of social, economic and intellectual capital to the State and the regions of Cairns and Townsville. As a leading research university, JCU provides excellent facilities and highly qualified and dedicated teaching staff. Much research is focused on the industries and environs of northern Australia in particular marine biology, tropical environmental studies, earth sciences, engineering, tropical health and tourism.
www.jcu.edu.au

Winner QANTAS Tourism Award
Sunferries Pty Ltd
Established in 1997 with one operating vessel, Sunferries has grown to now operate five high-speed vessels. Sunferries provides a link between Townsville and Magnetic Island, conducts day cruises to the Great Barrier Reef and runs a scuba diving operation for both beginning and experienced divers. Sunferries has become a local industry leader and a mainstay of tourist and maritime transport operations in North Queensland.
www.sunferries.com.au

Winner QMI solutions Manufacturing Award
Tankhouse group
Tankhouse Group is a Townsville-based business that develops, markets and supplies technical services to mining operations around the world. Tankhouse Group also develops permanent stainless steel cathode technology that is used to produce high grade copper. Tankhouse Group works with clients to provide an integrated process design with detailed engineering, equipment design and supply and operator training.

Winner Northern Shipping and Stevedoring Minerals and Energy Award
Xstrata Mt Isa Mines
Xstrata Mount Isa Mines processes and mines copper and zinc ore from the Mount Isa, Ernest Henry, George Fisher and Black Star ore bodies. Mining is both underground and open-cut, producing copper cathode and concentrate, zinc concentrate, crude lead and tankhouse slimes. Xstrata Mt Isa Mines exports globally with particular emphasis in Asia and Europe.
www.xstrata.com/corporate/commodities/copper

Winner QANTAS Emerging Business Award
Diva Cosmetics
Diva Cosmetics produces a range of natural, fruit and herb-based aromatherapy skin and body care products. All Diva Cosmetics products are between 95 per cent and 100 per cent plant derived and contain high-quality pure essential oils. Established nine years ago for personal use, Diva Cosmetics now exports its range of 77 products to markets such as New Zealand, Norway and Brunei.
www.divacosmetics.com.au