Monday 6 November 2006

Cairns Takes Honours at Statewide Management Awards

Two inspiring Cairns leaders took the gongs for both Young and Professional Manager of the Year at Friday night’s Management Excellence Awards, organised by the Australian Institute of Management (AIM).

The AIM Management Excellence Awards is one of the few awards which recognise the individual and his or her influence on the environment in which they work.

Managing Director of In Touch Media, Danae Jones, was named Young Manager of the Year over eight other finalists. The judges said her leadership style was “honest, firm but fair and motivating” and commented on her “maturity, resilience and perspective beyond her years”.

Danae said she was very surprised to win. “When I looked at the others on the shortlist I thought there’s no way I’ve got a chance,” Danae said when accepting the award.

Danae scored a double whammy on the night when client of In Touch Media was awarded the title of 2006 Owner Manager of the Year.

Mario Calanna, CEO of Calanna Pharmacies impressed the judges with his holistic approach to business. They wrote “he has built a team of leaders through personal empowerment, support, clear goals and pursuit of excellence and has embraced change and innovation in the Pharmacy industry during the last 30 years”.

Graham Caldwell FAIM, AIM Chairman for Cairns, was in Brisbane on Friday and said he was delighted that Cairns had done so well this year.

“I know Danae and Mario very well and they are deserving winners,” Graham said. “They both have a personal approach which makes them popular with their clients and an appreciation of their community and the wider world which makes them very successful in business.

“I am also thrilled about the recognition that these awards will give Cairns,” Graham said. “We have a lot of talent in the city and it’s good it has been acknowledged.”

In the other categories, Richard Oddo from McConaghy Retail Pty Ltd won Rural / Remote Manager of the Year for his work as Centre Manager at Kingaroy Shoppingworld and Westlands Roma.

Johann Van Zyl, Managing Director of Queensland Alumina in Gladstone was named Professional Manager of the Year.

The 2006 Medal for Management Innovation went to Deborah Fleming, the creator and producer of ABC’s Australian Story who was praised for her “commitment to excellence in journalism, her fairness, level head and calm demeanor”.

AIM CEO Carolyn Barker said all the winners were successful and motivated people who have a positive effect not just on the bottom line but on the people around them and the culture of their workplace.

“The Management Excellence Awards are designed to acknowledge the efforts of some of the best managers and leaders on the cutting edge of their field,” Ms Barker said.

“The judging is so hard every year because the awards continue to draw increasing interest, generating hundreds of nominations across each category annually. The depth and breadth of talent amongst our nominees and finalists is amazing and is incredibly positive for Queensland.”

The Management Excellence Awards have grown in the last decade to become a ‘must-attend’ event on the Queensland corporate calendar. Regional finals are held in the run up to the State final in Brisbane, Cairns, Gladstone, Mackay, Rockhampton, Sunshine Coast, Toowoomba and Townsville.