Entry Information | Mentor Program | Information Sessions | Judging | Testimonials
Judging
BEA judges are selected for their industry experience, education and qualifications, real life experiences, business acumen and proven track record. A typical BEA judges panel is represented by individuals with previous award experience and some new to the process selected for the skills they bring to the process.
BEA judges are sourced from many geographical locations with a mixture of judges from outside of the region and locally based to deliver a broad and unbiased perspective .
The site visits play an important part in the assessment process. In some cases, it is high scoring site visits that have got a category winner over the line. It is important to note that the judges only assess what is in-front of them.
Judging
A team of two judges independently read and score the submissions in a particular category before collaborating as a panel for the final decision. In addition, all entrants are visited by a judge. The judging process is overseen by the chair of judges.
To ensure consistency and fairness in judging, the entry guidelines must be strictly met.
Site Visits
The purpose of the site visit is two-fold; verification of claims made within the submission (for example sighting of a risk management policy), and testing of the overall presentation and experience. The site visit will be prearranged, and the judges have a proforma from which they score each business.
The Scoring System
Every entry is scrutinised and the judges work to a strict scoring system. Geographic location, size of company or size of budget are not deciding factors. The return on a campaign with a $1,000 budget can be more effective, in relevant terms, than a campaign with a budget of $100,000 – it’s what you do with it and the results you achieve that count.
Presentation
Submission presentation does not feature in the scoring system. However, presentation reflects pride. The more concise and relevant the entry, the easier and clearer it is for the judges to score.
Confidentiality
All information submitted is strictly confidential. All persons who may come in contact with your submission, such as the BEA Coordinator and judges, are each required to sign a confidentiality agreement.
Entry Closing Date
Please ensure your submission is received by close of business on Thursday 29 April, 2010. Late entries can not be accepted. Please plan to get your submission in early.
Grievances
The decision of the judging panel of the 2010 Powercor / PRIME Business Excellence Awards is final. Any grievance should be forwarded to the attention of:
The President
Mildura BEA
PO Box 3103
MILDURA VIC 3502
How entrants are recognised
There are five possible levels of recognition.
The Finalist is awarded to acknowledge the high standard of an entry that has scored above the minimum percentage of the total possible score as set by the judging panel. As a result there can be more than one finalist in any category.
The Merit is awarded to category an entry that came within a few points of the winner.
The Winner is awarded to the entrant who is judged to be the most outstanding in its category and has scored above the minimum percentage of the total possible score as set by the judging panel.
When an entrant continues to display excellence and wins the same category in three consecutive award programs they are inducted into the Hall of Fame and may not re-enter the same category for two awards cycles.
The judges may, at their discretion, may present an Encouragement Award when an entrant has not achieved the minimum percentage of the total possible score on their submission however the judges are confident that the applicant has the capability of consistently attaining that standard.
Note: Where the minimum score is not achieved, the judging panel reserves the right to not to award a winner for that category.
2010 Judging Panel
Domenic Minaudo, RACV Mildura
Domenic has 23 years experience with the RACV and holds Diploma’s in Management. He has developed a strong understanding of the Mildura Business Excellence Awards not only as a past participant but also having been previously involved in the judging process.
His positive attitude towards his career and his “lead by example” approach has enabled him to earn the respect of his peers and with his experience assisted Senior RACV Management with RACV’s winning submission at the 2008/2009 Australian Service Excellence Awards – Category Large Business.
Domenic has always shown the ability to deliver RACV’s Vision & Values through his leadership, he displays initiative, diversity and self motivation and has shown the skills to mentor, coach and encourage his staff to deliver the RACV Retail Strategy with his shop winning the RACV’s TOP ACHIEVER award at the RACV Achievement Awards 2008/2009 at Crown Palladium.
Jenny Garonne, Enterprise Connect
Jenny has a wealth of experience in business and regional development. For seventeen years she was the Manager at the Department of Innovation, Industry and Regional Development covering North West Victoria and many businesses have expanded as a result of the assistance provided.
Jenny is now employed in economic development with Enterprise Connect in Northern Adelaide. Jenny also has a background in accounting with experience in both private and public practice. Her understanding of business has emanated from her personal involvement as a restaurant owner over a number of years.
Jenny's formal qualifications include an Executive Masters in Public Administration (ANZSOG), Bachelor of Commerce (Accounting), a Graduate Diploma of Education and a Diploma of International Trade. She also is a CPA Accountant.
Jeremy Seward, La Trobe University Mildura Campus
Richard Wood, Firestarter
Richard is a former Mildura school principal and education consultant, he is now Education Manager for Melbourne based company Firestarter; an award winning company committed to innovation and education in the environmental field. Firestarter is the company behind the very successful International Young Peoples Environment Conferences held in every state and territory in Australia
Tim Bracher, Bramark Consulting
Tim Bracher, principal of Bramark Consulting, has been a management consultant - specialising in the Victorian tourism industry - for three decades.
He has worked at the local, regional , metropolitan, state and national levels of the industry, as well as sitting on the Board of the Victorian Tourism Industry Council. During his years in the industry he has managed two regional tourism organisations and currently also serves as Executive Officer for the Yarra River Business Association, which embraces 140 business members ranging from small boat operators to Crown, Federation Square and Southgate.
Bramark Consulting provides research services, management and project planning, as well as training programs for a wide range of public and private sector organisations, including Tourism Victoria and the City of Melbourne.
Andrew Millen, Mildura Rural City Council
Andrew Millen is the Corporate Projects Manager at Mildura Rural City Council. He moved from Melbourne to Mildura 6 years ago and has been involved in the Business Excellence Awards since.
He has 21 years Local Government and associated organisation experience, employed in various roles including Chief Executive Officer, Manager Economic Development, Strategic Town Planner and Statutory Planner.
With a Bachelor of Applied Science (with Hons) in Urban and Regional Planning (RMIT), Andrew established one of Victoria’s first Local Government Economic Development Units in the mid 1990’s.
Andrew continues to combine strategic planning, business investment and economic development roles in one of Regional Victoria’s most dynamic locations – Mildura and the Loddon Mallee Districts.
Mark Wilson, Sunraysia Institute of TAFE
Mark has lived in Mildura since 1980. He is currently employed as a Technical Officer with the Engineering Department at Sunraysia Institute of TAFE, and Executive Officer of the Sunraysia Area Consultative Committee from 1995 to 2002.
Thirty years experience in the Human Resource Management and recruitment field, combined with an extensive exposure to issues related to economic and community development, have provided Mark with a range of experience working with various industry and community bodies.
Both Mark and his wife enjoy travelling extensively throughout Australia. The continued exposure to regional communities has given him an understanding of many of the issues impacting on the economic and community development potential of isolated regions.
Peter Greed, retired (former General Manager MADEC Ltd)