The Ethnic Business Awards (EBA) gala awards on Monday at the Four Seasons Hotel in Sydney saw a range of First Nations and immigrant businesses nominated and awarded for excellence and innovation. Neos Kosmos, a media sponsor of the award was also there.
Some of the country’s most successful migrants were nominees, finalists and winners of the awards. They presented their stories of resilience, perseverance and brilliance, the foundations of the Ethnic Business Awards Foundation.
After a decade of Indigenous business stories, with the Indigenous in Business Award launched in 2010, the EBA has recognised and awarded many Indigenous businesspeople.
At the awards, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese called multiculturalism Australia’s “greatest national asset.”
“We are telling stories of business owners celebrating their origins, celebrating their achievements, and applauding the families and communities they live amongst, creating an enduring record of entrepreneurial spirit.”
Albanese said that “tolerance” was a low bar and that acceptance and sharing of values were primary in Australia’s success as a multicultural nation.
The Minister for Multicultural Affairs, Andrew Giles, and the Shadow Minister for Social Services were among the other speakers.
Giles reiterated the prime minister’s words. He said entrepreneurship and hard work among immigrants and First Nations Australians are central to a dynamic and open society.
He added that Australia’s diversity and business links through that diversity “link us to the world.”
The EBA winners this year were: Indigenous in Business Peter Hicks of Hicks Civil and Mining and Henry Ngai, Medium to Large Business Winner.
Fung Lam of New Aim and the Small Business Winner
Oren and Adi Barak of Roogenic.
Many others were nominated and recognised for their endeavours.
