Natasha Griggs (Solomon, Country Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The Northern Territory, and indeed my electorate of Solomon, punches above its weight when it comes to business innovation and achievement. It is on that theme that I rise today to acknowledge the efforts of Territorians in two business awards handed down in recent weeks.

In August, Country Wellness Pharmacy, which runs the Save Mart Pharmacy in Winnellie, won the Start-up award at the 2014 Telstra Australian Business Awards. This is a national award and it is a sizeable achievement for a Territory business to take on and beat its rivals in the bigger cities. It was established by Managing Director Boon Wai Lim, and Country Wellness is at the front line of telehealth in the Territory.

Last week another two impressive Top End businesswomen were recognised for their management skills. O'Donoghues First National General Manager, Lisa Hewlett, and Darwin Symphony Orchestra chair—and very good friend of mine—Marie-Louise Pearson were named Northern Territory Manager of the Year and Not-for-Profit Manager of the Year at the 2014 Australian Institute of Management Excellence Awards. Lisa and Marie-Louise will now compete with other winners from around Australia, at the national finals, on 7 November. I wish them all the very best and hope that the Northern Territory stars shine again, as we do so often on the national stage.