2007 Queensland Managers of the Year

Awarded:

• Professional Manager of the Year
• Owner Manager of the Year
• Rural/Remote Manager of the Year
• Young Manager of the Year
• Fisher & Paykel Medal for Management Innovation

Professional Manager of the Year

Read more about the Professional Manager award category.

Winner

Richard Cottee,
Managing Director, Queensland Gas Company

During his time at Queensland Gas Company, Richard has transformed the company by identifying the fundamental drivers of his business and positioning it to take advantage of the foreseen changes in each of those areas. In management he believes that passion defines the difference, and that it is imperative to communicate your vision in order to make things happen in the team. The judges believe Richard stands out for the ways in which he articulates a clear vision and acknowledges the contributions of those who work with him. The success and growth he has spurred for QGC are a testament to his ability to apply his leadership.

Judges comments:
Richard Cottee presented as an inspirational and visionary leader who works within a very complex environment. Richard has created a business from a small company into one of Queensland’s top 50 companies. He has led development which includes increasing staff from 15 to 110 and a turnover of over $22 million to $2,200 million - a 100 fold increase.
Richard describes himself as “Bob the Builder” who believed that he should take responsibility for personally attacking his ideas.
Richard could be described as a maverick whose passion and unrelenting personal convictions have helped him and the company in their successful reformation of many of Queensland regional communities.

Finalists

• Richard Cottee, Managing Director, Queensland Gas Company – representing Brisbane
• Kerry Hine, District Manager – Telstra Country Wide – representing Mackay
• Craig Humphrey, Director, Department of State Development – representing the Sunshine Coast
• Derek Lightfoot, CEO, The Rock Building Society Ltd – representing Rockhampton
• Tony Marrinan, Regional General Manager QLD, Mirvac Hotels and Resorts – representing Cairns
• John Minz, Chief Executive Officer, Heritage Building Society – representing Toowoomba

• Joel Otley, Manager Production, NRG Gladstone Operating Services - Gladstone Powerstation – representing Gladstone

Owner Manager of the Year

Read more about the Owner Manager award category.

Winner

Ross Mylrea FAIM
Managing Director, A Man’s Toyshop

Having been in business for over 30 years, Ross continues to take an enthusiastic approach to business. He recognizes the need to move with the times, and as a result has taken on new developments in his business to maintain an aggressive and competitive stance in the market place. Recently he has introduced a website and online sales. He believes in working closely with his senior management team and delegates decision making. He emphasizes the faith he has in all members of his organization.

Judges comments:
Ross started his journey graduating with distinction from the school of hard knocks. Ross impressed the panel with his courage, strong vision, leadership, through training, humility and brilliant marketing skills. Ross said “the hardest thing I have had to do is learn to delegate and to trust. Once I mastered that I became the worlds best delegator.

Finalists

• Ken Bellamy, Managing Director, VRM Group – representing Townsville
• Kathryn Frolley, Owner/Operator, Jolt Health Bar – representing Mackay
• Jennifer Hutson, Managing Director, Wellington Capital Limited – representing Brisbane
• Julie Kerin, Managing Director, HB Recruitment and HB Training, - representing Toowoomba
• Renae Kunda, Director, CYMCA Pty Ltd – representing Cairns
• Ross Mylrea, Managing Director, A Man's Toyshop – representing Rockhampton

• Sandy Turner, Owner/Manager, Mopheadz Hair & The Haircutters – representing Gladstone

• Keith Neuendorf, Owner/Managing Director, Neuendorfs Pty Ltd – representing the Sunshine Coast

Rural/Remote Manager of the Year

Read more about the Rural/Remote Manager award category.

Winner

Jill Loane,
Programme Coordinator, Community Resource Centre Banana Shire Council

Throughout her time as Program Coordinator at Biloela Community Resource Centre, Jill has developed unique services, systems, polices and procedures that are designed to continue beyond her time at the Centre. As team leader, Jill takes pride in having an intimate knowledge of all areas of the CRC, enabling her to be involved in all staff and work decisions, and encouraging and motivating her team. She believes that the corporate values that she has embedded into the workplace serve as keys to the foundation of managers that follow her.

Judges comments:
Jill was a standout through her galvanisation of others over a long period of time. They were impressed by her determination, focus, drive and an unwillingness to accept that IT could not be done.

Finalists

• Lisa Cooper , Manager, Tableland Community Link Association Inc - representing Cairns
• Margaret Cumes, Director of Nursing/Acting Day Respite Co-ordinator, Blue Care – representing Townsville
• Jill Loane, Programme Coordinator Community Resource Centre Banana Shire Council – representing Gladstone
• Debra Newbold, Factory Manager, Thai Epicurean Products t/a The Spirit House – representing the Sunshine Coast
• Robert Ries, Campus Manager, Southern Queensland Institute of TAFE – representing Toowoomba
• Craig White, Sergeant Officer in Charge, Anakie Police, Queensland Police Service – representing Rockhampton

Young Manager of the Year

Read more about the Young Manager award category.

Winner

Tania Cobham,
Manager – ARUP Water Cairns

As the manager of Arup Water, Cairns, Tania has worked hard to bring about new service offerings and secure important projects for the company. She believes in infusing a sense of bravery in those who work around her, in order to be creative with their approaches and in return reap bigger benefits. She works hard to provide an environment where people are challenged to reach their full potential, and rewarded. Tania is often praised for her innovative style of looking for new avenues of development and also her strong client relationships.

Judges comments:
Tania was chosen because in her own words “everyone can be amazing”… spend some time with her and you can see why.
An engineer by profession but with a vision….. in fact a 300 year plan. Her vision is to reduce our footprint on the planet by introducing social conscience into engineering design. Tania has made a significant, positive impact on the ARUP office in Cairns through her refreshing approach to the synergies to be gained between business and community.
She is enthusiastic, insightful and one of the most lateral thinkers you will meet.

Finalists

• Tania Cobham, Manager – ARUP Water Cairns – representing Cairns

• Arron Johnson, Logistics Manager, Reliance Petroleum - representing Mackay
• Michelle Kretschmer, National Manager Finance Sales and Support, Westpac Banking Corporation – representing Brisbane
• Carmela Littlejohn, Loans Processing Manager - Heritage Building Society – representing Toowoomba
• Jeff Reibel, Business Development Manager North Queensland Cowboys – representing the Townsville
• Leah Ronczka, Project Engineer, RoadTek – representing Rockhampton
• Melissa Tomlins, Environmental Superintendent, Queensland Alumina Limited – representing Gladstone
• Amber Werchon, Real Estate Agent, Property Wave – representing the Sunshine Coast

Fisher & Paykel Medal for Management Innovation

Read more about the Fisher & Paykel Medal for Management Innovation.

Winner

Dr Maha Sinnathamby
Founder and Managing Director, Springfield Land Corporation

Chairman and Founder of Springfield Land Corporation, Dr Maha Sinnathamby, was awarded the coveted 2007 Fisher & Paykel Medal for Management Innovation at the Australian Institute of Management's 2007 Management Excellence Awards State Final.

The medal, conferred by the Board of the Australian Institute of Management, seeks to honour stand-out business leaders who have demonstrated breakthrough innovation on the Australian and world stage.

AIM Board Chairman John Hoey FAIM said Dr Sinnathamby was chosen for his long-held standards of management innovation, on which his businesses are built.

"Greater Springfield is a community-of-the-future success story and Dr Sinnathamby has received this award because of his uncompromising drive to incorporate leading edge management practices and new technologies at all stages of the development," Mr Hoey said.

"His dream to create a new city from nothing in just 15 years has well and truly been realised. The innovation and overall vision required to deliver the reality of an attractive, technologically connected community which will draw in individuals and businesses is worthy of this honour."

Dr Sinnathamby said he was humbled and honoured to receive such a great award from such an esteemed organisation as the Australian Institute of Management. Read more...