40th anniversary awards dinner

Business Asia, Dec, 2003

Australia's export leaders gathered in Sydney in November for the Announcement of the 2003 Australian Export Awards winners. More than 500 people were on hand at the gala ceremony held at the Sydney Convention Centre to witness QBE Insurance being crowned the DHL Australian Exporter of the Year for 2003. QBE Insurance also took out the Export Finance and Insurance Corporation Services Award.

Modern day poet Rupert McCall was on hand to do the MC duties, with Federal Minister for Trade Mark Vaile one of the special guests for the night.

The audience was also treated to a touch of Hollywood on the night with the presentation of the Special Achievement Award to internationally renowned filmmakers Baz Luhrmann and Catherine Martin. The award, which is presented to successful Australians who have contributed positively to Australia's international image, was awarded to the duo for the outstanding work on films such as Strictly Ballroom, Romeo Juliet and Moulin Rouge,

Martin was on hand to receive her accolade, while Luhrmann pre-recorded a special videotaped message of thanks that was played to the audience.

2003 Winners

P&O Nedlloyd ASlribuslnese Award

Winner: Casella Estate Wines

Casella Estate Wines managing director John Casalla with P&O Nedlloyd sales and marketing manager Scot Taylor.

[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Commonnwealth Bank Small to Medium Manufacturer Award

Winner: Mt Romance Australia Ply Ltd

Commonwealth Bank group executive institutional and business services Michael Ullmer with Mt Romance MD Stephen Birkbeck, Bob Randall and Richard Walley.

[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

AusIndustry Emerging Exporter Award

Winner: Production Parts Pty Ltd

Federal MP for Mackellar Bronwyn Bishop with Production Parts company director Ashley Nicholls.

[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Export Finance and Insurance Corporation Services Award

Winner: QBE Insurance

QBE Insurance CFO Neil Drabsch with EFIC managing director Angus Armour.

[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Austrade Arts and Entertainment Award

Winner: Cutting Edge Post Pty Ltd Austrade chairman Ross Adler with Cutting Edge MD Ray Smith and Justine Douglas.

[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Special Achievement Award

Recipients: Baz Luhrmann and Catherine Martin. Catherine Martin.

[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Australian Made Large Advanced Manufacturer Award

Winner: Cochlear

Australian Made Campaign executive director Jenny Da Rin with Cochlear chief technology officer Dr John Parker.

[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

First Charlton Communications Information and Communications Technology Award

Winner: Infomedia Ltd

Infomedia general manager Gary Martin with First Charlton Communcations chairman Peter Charlton.

[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

DHL Australian Exporter of the Year Award

Winner: QBE Insurance

Caption: QBE Insurance chief financial officer Neil Drabsch with the company's award as the DHL Australian Exporter of the Year.

[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Australia Post Regional Exporter of the Year Award

Winner: SunRice

SunRice CEO Gary Helou with Australia Post GM International Group Peter Morrison.

[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

IDP Education Award

Winner: Insearch UTS Insearch MD Murray Lawurence with IDP board member Professor Roger Holmes.

[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Overseas Trading Minerals and Energy Award

Winner: Robe River Mining Company

Robe River Mining MD Clive Latcham with First Charlton Communications television director Esther Cvejic.

[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Accor Tourism Award

Winner: The Australian outback Travel Company Pty Ltd

Australia Outback Travel MD Andrew Bumes with Accor Asia Pacific chairman David Baffsky.

[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]