a message from our chairman

Many Indigenous people have a natural flair for business. They’re good at it. And it’s that spirit of enterprise we celebrate with the First Australians Business Awards. The FAB Awards are about recognising successful Indigenous business people and the vital role they play in creating jobs in our communities. All of you are doing something extraordinary, not just for yourselves but for all our people. Through your hard work, you’re an important role model for our kids. And you’re sending a powerful message to the whole country about a brighter future for Indigenous Australia. So please get your entries in. We want to tell your story, recognise your achievements, instil pride in those who work for you and give you the acclaim you all deserve.

“We’re going to change the way Australians think about Indigenous enterprise. But more important, we’re going to change the way Indigenous Australians think about themselves”

Warren Mundine
Chairman, Australian Indigenous Chamber of Commerce

CALL FOR ENTRIES & NOMINATIONS

Award Categories Who Can Apply?Judging Nomination Form

What’s in it for you

Participating in the awards will be good for your business. You’ll receive prize money, valuable publicity and the chance to network with other Indigenous business people, as well as people from the wider business community.

You can also refine and improve your business goals through the application process. And winners will get valuable mentoring opportunities.

What’s in it for indigenous Australia

This is a great chance to express pride in your efforts, those of the people who work for you and all Indigenous people.

You’ll send a powerful message to Indigenous communities and the whole country that we can be winners in business as well as in sport or any other activity.

AWARD CATEGORIES

First Australians Business Man of the Year

First Australians Business Woman of the Year

The above categories recognise individuals who have displayed exceptional commitment to achieving excellence in business .

First Australians young business person of the year

Recognising a young Indigenous entrepreneur, aged 30 years or younger, who has displayed exceptional commitment to business.

First Australians business of the year

Recognising the outstanding achievements of an Indigenous business.

Mentor of the year

Recognising the outstanding commitment of a business or individual in supporting and mentoring Indigenous business.
 

WHO CAN APPLY

For all categories, any business that is at least 50 per cent Indigenous owned and registered and operating in Australia.

You’ll need to give us the names and contact details of two referees when you fill out the entry form.

For individuals

You’ll need to provide background information on you and your business, which you must operate. We’ll need to know:

• How and why you established the business and its history to date.
• Who you are, your personal history and what inspired you to become an entrepreneur.
• The main achievements of the business, such as satisfying your customers.
• How you’ve carved out your place in the market, what makes you different and your plans for future growth.
• What obstacles you had to overcome to achieve your business goals.
• The challenges and opportunities of being an Indigenous business and how you relate to the mainstream community.

For business of the year

You’ll need to provide background information on the business or enterprise activity and demonstrate excellence and initiative. We’ll need to know:

• The overriding vision of the business.
• Its major achievements thus far.
• Who the operators are their personal histories.
• The points of difference or marketing niche that have produced success.
• Strategies that have changed the image of the business in Indigenous and mainstream communities.
• Obstacles you’ve needed to overcome to reach the business’s goals.

For mentor of the year

You must be an Australian resident or a company or other legal entity operating in Australia which is mentoring Indigenous Australians or a business that is at least 50 per cent Indigenous owned and operated by an Indigenous business person. We’ll need to know:

• How you’ve provided leadership and direction in the development of Indigenous business.
• How your leadership and actions have changed the way Indigenous business people are viewed by both Indigenous Australians and the mainstream community,
• Obstacles you’ve faced in promoting business as a career path for Indigenous Australians and how you’ve dealt
  with those challenges.

JUDGING

Winners will be chosen by an independent panel selected by the Australian Indigenous Chamber of Commerce . It will be made up of Indigenous business leaders and prominent business figures in the wider community. The judges’ decision will be final.

IMPORTANT CONDITIONS OF ENTRY

One of the most important aspects of these awards is to get the story of your success to a wider audience to be an inspiration to other Indigenous people and change attitudes in the wider community. If you choose to nominate, this constitutes a formal agreement to take part in a television program on the awards and be involved in any associated media coverage.

If you are chosen as a finalist, we also require your presence at the awards ceremony in Sydney in early 2012. Air fares and accommodation will be provided.

You or your business can only nominate for one category. So please choose the category that best highlights your success. Remember, you must be 30 or under to qualify for Young Business Person of the Year . So if you’ve turned 31, you need to apply in the general categories .

NOMINATION FORM

The is no fee for entering so please send your nomination by filling out the form below or by downloading and filling in the form.

Nominations are currently open, we invite you to apply.