image courtesy of Oneill Photographics
Executive PA Magazine Awards 2009
We would like to say a big thank you to all of the PAs, EAs, Office Managers, Companies, and Suppliers that made the 2009 Executive PA Magazine Awards such a success. And to our sponsors and suppliers that made the evening such a hit, including of course our headline sponsor Kelly Services.
The highly-respected industry awards were the talk of the town, as Doltone House Jones Bay Wharf Pyrmont was splendidly decked out for the occasion with red carpets, chandeliers, and luxury all the way. The hospitality from Doltone House was exceptional and ensured that every single one of our guests was made to feel welcome, and they expertly catered for over 300 guests. The venue was transformed for the evening thanks to those clever people at Decorative Events.
The venue looked stunning and proved to be the perfect setting for our national awards. An essential ingredient for any awards is the AV, and we turned to industry expertsAV1 who were extremely efficient and ensured that the evening flowed seamlessly.
The black tie evening began with a champagne reception - a chance for nominated PAs to mingle with other guests and receive their wishes for good luck. Then it was on through Heritage Wharf, for the awards themselves, and a delicious three course meal. Keeping everyone entertained at their tables were Pip, comic illusionist, with his amazing magic routines, and Julie Doye from Zest International, who was delighting guests with quick one-minute portraits. And for those of you in attendance I'm sure you'll agree that one of the most memorable moments of the night was the Oz Dance Collective, who performed extracts from their popular Afro Caribbean Heat, Bollywood Bling and Latin Carnival Shows, kindly provided by Oz Management.
Following on from a welcome from Russell Peacock and a thank you to our sponsors and supporters from James Brome, it was time for our guest speaker to take the floor and do what she does best. Ella James opened our awards evening and was highly entertaining and engaging throughout-hitting exactly the right spot with the audience. Ella can be described as a communicator who entertains and an entertainer who communicates, and her wit and wisdom were on display for everyone to see.
The awards themselves saw plenty of cheering and clapping from the companies and colleagues of the winning PAs, as well as some very shocked faces from PAs who had scooped top prizes. The awards were provided by Elite Crystal, while Pearsons Florists handed out some beautiful bouquets to winners and finalists
The 2009 Executive PA Magazine awards ceremony was our best yet. The standard of entries was a true credit to the calibre of Australian PAs-all shortlisted nominees and finalists should feel immensely proud.
2009 Winners
We received nominations from right across the whole of Australia, and from many different companies, but ultimately there could only be One winner
Executive PA Magazine PA of the Year, sponsored by Kelly Services. Top Prize: Five night stay at the 5-star luxury resort Palazzo Versace.
Winner: Maxine McKendrick, EA to Chairman & CEO, Tennis Australia
''Receiving the Executive PA Magazine: PA of the Year award was the most amazing experience of my professional career and also is a wonderful recognition and appreciation of all the years of dedication and hard work it has taken to reach this achievement. I would like to continue to achieve at the highest level in my role and in the future become a mentor to up and coming Executive PAs''
Runner up: Diana Ferwerda, EA to Deputy Vice Chancellor & Vice-President, Monash University
Runner up: Amanda Everson, PA to GM, Orica Chemicals – Bronson & Jacobs
Runner up: Linda Kotz, EA, Delfin Lend Lease
Best Organised Event, sponsored by Kwik Kopy. Top Prize:Two night stay at the Federation Suite at the Hyatt Regency Sanctuary Cove.
Winner: Nicole Smith, EA to Regional Manager, Sinclair Knight Merz
Runner up: Robyn Butler, EA, Star News Group
Runner up: Linda Bendixsen, EA to MD & CFO, Leighton Contractors
Employer of the Year, sponsored by Doltone House. Top Prize: Two night stay at the brand new Hilton South Wharf in Melbourne.
Winner: Arab Bank, nominated by Laura Townsend
Runner up: Racing Victoria Limited, nominated by Gail Anderson
Runner up: Sinclair Knight Merz Melbourne, nominated by Anna Theocharous
Boss of the Year, sponsored by Hamilton Island Golf Club. Top Prize: Three night stay at Hamilton Island at the Reef View Hotel plus a round of golf at the brand new golf course
Winner: Paul Birch, Corporate Services Manager, Fitzroy Basin Association
Runner up: Bruce Watson, CEO, Auscoal Superannuation PTY Ltd
Runner up: Ray Butler, Director, City of Casey
Up and Coming PA, sponsored by Westfield Gift Cards. Top Prize:Two nights at Sheraton on the Park, including breakfast, and a card from Westfield Gift Cards to the value of $1,000
Winner: Renee Duff, PA, Commonwealth Bank
Runner up: Nicole Smit,h EA to CEO, Motor Traders Association
Runner up: Kelly Cookson, EA to MD, Clorox Australia
Congratulations!
Executive PA Magazine Awards 2008
On the evening of the 8th August over 300 PAs and their colleagues packed out the grand ballroom at the Hilton Sydney, which had been spectacularly transformed for this prestigious occasion. The winners of the inaugural Executive PA Magazine Awards were going to be announced and our guests were eager to hear who had scooped the top accolades. But first our guests were given the opportunity to network. We were treated to a high energy performance by Drum Beats. A fire eater, didgeridoo player and haunting vocals all helped to add to the atmosphere and the audience were captivated with this display.
Having suitably worked up an appetite it was time for the guests to enjoy the delicious menu that had been prepared by the kitchen team at the Hilton Sydney.
After a short welcome from Russell Peacock, the microphone was handed to James Brome, GM of Executive PA Magazine, who thanked our sponsors and supporters before introducing our guest speaker Rachael Robertson, who was provided by ICMI Speakers and Entertainers.
Rachael spoke with genuine warmth and humour about the 12 months she spent in perhaps one of the toughest jobs, not to mention toughest environments, going: Terming herself an ''accidental explorer'' In 2005 Rachael spent 12 months in the harsh conditions of Antarctica, where she successfully led the 58th Australian National Antarctic Research Expedition to Davies Station. Having inspired our guests it was then time for Rachael to announce the winners in the awards. As winners and runner ups were announced to great cheers, from peers and colleagues, each of our finalists was presented with a beautiful, engraved trophy to commemorate their achievement.
Following the awards there was time to celebrate and dance the night away to the sounds of Jellybean Jam.
2008 Winners
Executive PA Magazine PA of the Year Sponsored by Kelly Services. Top Prize: 5 nights at the Hilton Fiji
Winner: Juleen Shaw, QML Pathology
''This award means a bigger future for me than I ever imagined, even just since being shortlisted for the award my company has reviewed the opportunities available to me at work.''
Runner Up: Annette Perryman, South Australia Water
Runner Up: Rebecca Gitsham, Coffey International
Runner Up: Angela Harris, M&C Saatchi
Boss of the Year Sponsored by qualia. Top Prize: Two-night stay at qualia
Winner: James Wakim, Arab Bank
Runner Up: Gary Storkey, Homestart Finance
Runner Up: Barry Robinson, Wyndham Vacation Resorts Asia Pacific
Employer of the Year Sponsored by Hilton Sydney. Top Prize: The Zeta Experience at Hilton Sydney
Winner: SKM (Nominated by Anna Kiopelis)
Runner Up: ANZ (Nominated by Mary-Jo Harbourne)
Runner Up: Taronga Centre (Nominated by Kathryn Dobbs)
Up and Coming PA. Top Prize: Three-hour spa package courtesy of Body Inc
Winner: Jayne Righton-Stapley, Office of National Assessments
Runner Up: Helen Smith, ING
Runner Up Amanda Hill, Alliance Bernstein
Best Organised Event. Top Prize: Two night's at Mantra Kooindah Waters, courtesy of Stella Resorts
Winner: Tracy Tobin, Footlocker
Runner Up: Rebecca Hutchinson, City of Melbourne
Runner Up: Alex Miguel, Prosperity Advisors
