Entry Information | Mentor Program | Information Sessions | Judging | Testimonials
Mentor Program
One of the hardest elements of preparing a Business Excellence Awards submission is working out if you have answered the question appropriately. With the generous sponsorship of Southern Cross Business Advisors, once again the Mildura Business Excellence Awards has been able to enlist the support of local business coaches. This group of experienced people is willing to volunteer their time and expertise to assist operators with advice and guidance about preparing a quality submission.
How does it work?
Step 1: Establish eligibility (conditions outlined below).
Step 2: Complete and return the application form.
Step 3: Details are provided to a mentor who will make contact to arrange a meeting time.
Step 4: Prior to your initial meeting you are encouraged to provide a copy of draft answers to at least 2 questions that you have prepared to date so that the Mentor can get a sense of your approach. These may be in bullet point form only.
Step 5: Meet with your Mentor. The Mentor Program offers an initial 60-minute face to face consultation. Note: The option exists for up to 30 minutes of future contact, to be made via email or telephone if required. The parameters of any future contact will be outlined at the face-to-face meeting, and may vary from Mentor to Mentor.
Step 6: Prepare and lodge a fantastic submission by 29 April 2010
Access
There are limited spaces available that will be allocated on a first-come-first served basis basis, to those who meet the eligibility criteria.
Do I qualify?
To qualify for the free Mentor Program you must have:
- Previously entered the Mildura Business Excellence Awards; or
- Attended an introductory session or workshop held in 2010;
How do I register?
To register for the Mentor Program please complete and fax or email the attached application form. The BEA Coordinator will confirm your acceptance into the Program.
Mentor program parameters
The purpose of the Mentor Program is to provide verbal advice about a possible submission in the 2010 Powercor/PRIME Business Excellence Awards. It is not designed to provide business advice, however examples of business practices may be used to illustrate a possible approach. It is not designed for the Mentor to write your submission for you but to provide constructive advice and support.
This service is not available to consultants engaged to act on behalf of an entrant.
No further contact will be made by my Mentor after Friday 23 April 2010, as by this time focus should be on final fine tuning, design and binding.
Utilising the service of a mentor does not guarantee a win or place in the 2010 Powercor/PRIME Business Excellence Awards.
The Mentors are separate from, maintain no communication with and have no influence over the Judging Panel.
Mentors for 2010 Powercor/PRIME BEA - Souther Cross Business Advisors
Peter O'Donnell - CPA
Qualifications: B Ec (Accounting)
Certified Practising Accountant
Accredited Mindshop Facilitator
Peter was born in Dubbo, raised in Mildura, and completed an economics degree in Adelaide, graduating in 1992. He commenced at Charles &Partners straight after university as a Tax Accountant and built up a solid reputation as Taxation Adviser. He left Charles and Partners in 2001 and founded Southern Cross Business Advisers as a sole practitioner.
Since starting out, Peter has focused much of his spare professional time on the Mindshop Accreditation Program and has used the skills learnt to the great benefit of business clients.
Peter is also involved in many community organisations. This includes being a Board Member of the Mildura Specialist School, and Treasurer of MASP. Additionally, he is involved in a program that takes disadvantaged youth to Kokoda each year.
Peter is married to Andrea and has three children; Jack, Will and Kate.
Peter’s areas of expertise include Business Planning, Continuous Improvement Strategies, Strategic Planning, Workshops and Client Planning Days. 
Noel Costa - CPA
Qualifications: B. Business (Accounting/Economics)
Certified Practising Accountant
Noel, born and raised in Robinvale, commenced employment in Public practice in 1995 with local accountancy firms prior to commencing employment with Allford Jones in January 2000.
Noel has developed extensive knowledge in Tax Structures and provides his clients the best outcomes for Asset Protection and Taxation matters. His knowledge of Government Assistance measures for primary producers continue to benefit clients.
Noel has been involved in Fund raising activities for local schools and interests include Music and Table Tennis.
Noel is married to Kylie and has three children – Grace, Laura and Ayden.
Tony Jones - CPA
Qualifications: Bachelor of Business (Accounting)
Certified Practising Accountant
Tony Jones is a Certified Practicing Accountant with 22 years experience in consulting to business clients.
Tony specialises in taxation and business development consulting, with a particular emphasis on facilitating strategic growth strategies for his clients. In addition to this, his knowledge and network assists clients to develop export opportunities in their current businesses. His awareness of government assistance opportunities to aid clients fund such strategies has benefited an array of customers in various industries.
Married to Janine, Tony enjoys coaching basketball, which their two girls, Caitlyn & Holly, are actively involved.
Peter Hartmann- CPA
Qualifications: B Bus
Certified Practising Accountant
Peter was raised locally and has worked in the Sunraysia region for the past 16 years after starting his career with a Melbourne based firm of Chartered Accountants. Peter is an experienced accountant having worked in public practice since 1990. He joined the SCBA team in April 2002, and become a Director in July 2004.
Developing tax saving strategies and advice is a specialised role that Peter both enjoys and excels in. His areas of expertise include Taxation Compliance, Capital Gains Tax, Business Structures, Succession Planning and Superannuation.
Peter is a well known member of the local sporting community as the Treasurer of the Millewa Football League and an active committee member of the Bambill Football Club. Peter is also Vice President of Saint Margarets Kindergarten and a board member of the Sunraysia Mallee Ethnic Communities Council.
Peter and his partner Liz have a four year old named Henry.
Confidentiality
The information requested via this form has been gathered for the exclusive purpose of administering the Mildura Business Excellence Awards Mentor Program and may be viewed by BEA staff and the Mentors.
Mentor’s are required to sign a detailed confidentiality agreement.