The Cairns Business Women's Club Business Women of the Year Awards

• Introducing the Michelle Commins Legacy Award - this award recognises women who are the unsung heroes, volunteering their time and energy in the not-for-profit sector. The Michelle Commins Legacy Award is proudly sponsored by Suncorp Bank.
• The submission kit and criteria for each award has been reviewed and updated. The aim - to ensure we focus on the key criteria for each Award category and to streamline the process for our Award nominees.
• The CBWC Business Women of the Year Awards season has changed. It is now January to May rather than July to November. Why? We received a great deal of feedback from people who found it too difficult to find the time to complete submissions and participate in judging between July and November - traditionally the peak season for many Cairns businesses. It is also the busiest time in the Cairns social calendar so we have changed the timing of the Awards season to run from January until our Awards Gala Dinner in May. And of course, there is more fun in dressing up in the cooler months when our clothes do not wilt and makeup does not run in the heat!

There are seven categories.

Two major categories:

• Business Owner and
• Small Business Owner

Five distinction categories:

• Manager-in-Business
• Young Female Entrepreneur
• New Direction in Business
• The Jean Skea Memorial Encouragement Award
• The Michelle Commins Legacy Award

Business Woman of the Year (Business Owner)

Acknowledges those who own and manage their own business with 6+ employees for their outstanding skills and contribution to their business and the business community.

Past winner 2009 Business Woman of the Year - Sally Mlikota, CBC Staff Selection

Small Business Owner of the Year (1 - 5 employees)

Acknowledges those who own and manage their own small business of 1 to 5 employees for their outstanding skills and contribution to their business.

Past winner 2009 Small Business Owner of the Year - Roz Howland, InOrder Professional Organising Service

Manager-in-Business Woman of the Year

Acknowledges women in the public or private sector for their outstanding skills and contribution to their employer as a manager or middle manager.

Past winner 2009 Manager in Business Woman of the Year - Kim Hayes, Turner & Townsend

Young Female Entrepreneur of the Year

To acknowledge entrepreneurial women under the age of 30 who have started their own business and been trading for at least 1 full year.

Past winner 2009 Young Female Entrepreneur of the Year - Bree James, Bopstars, Pakmag, Pak Marketing Group

New Directions in Business Woman of the Year

To recognise women over 45 who have had to start their career again and have done so by starting their own business and been trading for at least 1 full year.

The Jean Skea Memorial Encouragement Award

In 1996, long serving Club member Jean Skea died. Because she was held in such high regard by the Club, Jean's husband, George, initiated the Jean Skea Memorial Encouragement Award.

This special Award recognises the achievements of women in the Cairns business community. This award is given at the discretion of the judges and is open to all categories. To qualify, however, nominees must be financial members of the Cairns Business Women's Club.

Past winner 2009 Jean Skea Memorial Encouragement Award - Annalisa Siefken, IpSeity Beauty & Hair Studio Pty Ltd

The Michelle Commins Legacy Award

Michelle Commins was Secretary, then Vice President and Awards Chair in her many years supporting the Cairns Business Women's Club. She died suddenly in 2010 while Vice President of CBWC. Suncorp Bank created the Michelle Commins Legacy Award to honour and recognise women who, like Michelle, are the unsung heroes volunteering their time and energy in the not-for-profit sector.

The Awards are open to women who are residents of Tropical North Queensland, from Cardwell to the Torres Strait and west to the border of the Northern Territory.

Awards are OPEN to MEMBERS and NON-MEMBERS of CBWC.

* Applicants must be available to participate in all of the events associated with the Awards, unless otherwise agreed by the Awards Chair in writing.

** Applicants must address and comply with the relevant criteria for each Award category, as outlined in the Awards submission kit provided to every Awards nominee at the Awards Information Evening.

• Nomination for an Award may be made by a colleague, Club member or by self-nomination.
• Previous nominees and finalists are encouraged to nominate again.
• The Judging Panel is made up of local business people and corporate leaders.
• CBWC Board Members are excluded from either being nominated or serving on the judging panel.
• The Business Owner Award categories require nominees to submit financials for their business. We understand that some people may feel nervous about making financial reports available therefore we guarantee that the information provided is kept in the strictest confidence, and is only viewed by one qualified accountant that participates on the Judging Panel. No other judges, Committee or Board Members, nominees or sponsors will be permitted to view financial reports submitted by nominees.
• Nominees are judged on a combination of the following:
  • Current resume, detailing professional history.
  • A written submission addressing criteria outlined in the submission kit provided to nominees at the Awards Information Evening.
  • An interview with the Judging Panel of regional leaders in business.

Being nominated for an Award is exciting, and a great honour! Many people also feel nervous about being in the limelight, or completing the application and the interview with the Judging Panel. Don't let this stop you from being part of the Awards!

Every participant over the years has found the process extremely rewarding, a lot of fun, and has been a great way to promote your business, meet new people, make new friends and build new networks. And we are here to help you!

Each nominee will receive a weekly email providing tips, encouragement and advice to help them complete their submission, prepare for the judging interview and glam up for the Awards.

Members of the Awards Committee want you to have a wonderful experience, and are here to help you. Simply call CBWC or send us an email with any questions you may have, and we will provide the support you need.

But what if you don't win? This is something that runs through the mind of almost everyone who has ever been nominated for an Award. Just being nominated makes you a winner! The Awards process is designed to honour all our nominees and finalists, as well as winners. The Awards are an incredible experience that give you a chance to reflect on your business journey, remind yourself (and have others remind you) about your talents, skills and achievements, and have a great deal of fun in the process.

So, nominate an inspirational business woman and if you have been nominated, take the journey through the CBWC Awards. The rewards are far greater than the title and the prizes at the Awards Gala Ball.