Nominations are open for the Telstra Business Women’s Awards

Nominations are now open for the 2008 Telstra Business Women’s Awards, which recognise successful women across the country for their business acumen and career success.

The annual Telstra Business Women’s Awards program has been a prominent event on the business calendar since 1995, and recognises the many achievements of Australian women and their invaluable contribution to business and the wider community.

Ms Holly Kramer, Group Managing Director Telstra Product Management and Telstra Business Women’s Awards Ambassador, said the Awards recognise and celebrate the success of women across the country from all backgrounds and a wide range of business achievements. “From business owners and corporate leaders, to innovators, community visionaries and successful young women, the Telstra Business Women’s Award winners have come from a wonderfully diverse set of backgrounds and experiences.”

“We are calling on all Australians to nominate deserving women, whose hard work and dedication to their chosen field have been an inspiration to others,” she said.

Chief Executive Officer of Wild Child, Ms Leanne Preston from Western Australia and 2007 Telstra Australian Business Woman of the Year (pictured sitting in front of 2006 winner Margot Spalding), said that participating in the program was a rewarding experience which allowed her to meet fascinating and courageous women from all walks of life.

“One of the issues that women in business face is that there are so few women mentors; it is of such a great benefit to be able to communicate and share experiences,” Ms Preston said.

“Winning this prestigious award has afforded me the privilege of having made acquaintances with high profile business and community leaders, not only in Australia but also overseas.”

Entrants are judged on a range of criteria and Award winners will share over $200,000 in cash grants, products and services.

There are five Award categories open to business women this year:

• The Business Owner Award – for owners with a 50 per cent share or more in a business with
  responsibility for key management decision making;

• The Hudson Private and Corporate Sector Award – for employees in the private and corporate
  sector, or owners with less than a 50 per cent share of a business;

• The IBM Community and Government Award – for employees in government departments,
  statutory bodies and not-for-profit organisations;

• The Business Innovation Award – for eligible business owners, private sector employees and
  entrepreneurs who answer the Innovation questions in the Entry Form; and

• The Young Business Women’s Award – for entrants in one of the above categories who will be
  aged 34 years or under as at Friday 6 June 2008.

Awards are offered in each state and territory, and an overall state / territory winner is selected from the category winners. These overall state / territory winners then become eligible to win the 2008 Telstra Australian Business Woman of the Year, which will be announced at the national final in December.  In additional, all state / territory category Award winners compete at the national Awards to become the national winner in their category.

The Telstra Business Women’s Awards recognise the contributions women make to business and celebrate the achievements of business women who have realised their dreams.

To nominate yourself or other inspirational business women visit www.businesswomensawards.telstra.com or call 1800 817 536 during business hours.

AAP