Inaugural Dardi Victorian Indigenous Business Excellence Awards

The Dardi Victorian Indigenous Business Awards 2009 recognise the many successes of Indigenous Victorian businesses and entrepreneurs. The Dardi Awards are now open and nominations close 11 May 2009.

The Dardi Awards will be presented at the Yulkuum-Jerrang Indigenous Economic Development Conference Gala Dinner on Thursday 28 May 2009. All short listed businesses will be invited to attend the Gala Dinner.

Download the Dardi Awards flyer.

Award Categories

The Dardi Victorian Indigenous Business Excellence Awards 2009 include four categories:

1 Outstanding Victorian Indigenous Small Business Award
Recognising the outstanding achievements of a Victorian Indigenous small business
2 Victorian Indigenous Community Enterprise Award
Recognising the outstanding achievements of a Victorian Indigenous Community Enterprise
3 Young Victorian Indigenous Entrepreneur Award (up to 25 years old)
Recognising the outstanding achievements of a young Indigenous Victorian entrepreneur, aged 25 years or younger, in their innovative approach to business
4 Outstanding Victorian Indigenous Business Leadership Award
Recognising the achievements of an Indigenous Victorian and their leadership in promoting Indigenous small business

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Submitting a Nomination

Applications are to include all of the following:

  • Completed Nomination Form
  • Proof of Business Registration
  • Responses to Selection Criteria (outlined below)

Nominations will be accepted from any party (including the nominee) via:

  • E-mail: kbn@iird.vic.gov.au
  • Mail KBN, PO Box 4509RR, Melbourne VIC 3001 or
  • Fax (03) 9651 8044

It is free to nominate a business / entrepreneur for the Dardi Awards.

Please contact KBN on free-call 1300 799 526 with any questions relating to completing and submitting a nomination.

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Selection Criteria

(1) Outstanding Victorian Indigenous Small Business Award

To be eligible for this award the nominated business must be at least 50% Indigenous owned, and registered and operating in Victoria.

Applicants are to answer the following questions (not more than two pages per question):

(i) How did your business originate and what motivated you to start a small business?

(ii) What are your business’s main achievements and how do you try to meet customer expectations?

(iii) What points of difference or marketing niche enable your business to achieve success and plan for future growth?

(iv) How has your business dealt with any obstacles to achieving your business goals?

Applicants are to provide a letter of commendation from a person outside the business (this may be a financial planner, mentor etc).

(2) Victorian Indigenous Community Enterprise Award

To be eligible for this award the business must be at least 50% Indigenous owned, and registered and operating in Victoria.

Recognising the outstanding achievements of a Victorian Indigenous Community Enterprise

Applicants are to answer to the following questions (not more than one page per question): 
(i) How did your community develop its business enterprise idea?

(ii) What are the outcomes and benefits for your community?

(iii) Are Indigenous youth involved?

(iv) How has your enterprise met your community needs?

(v) How has your enterprise provided work opportunities and/ or training?

Applicants are to provide a letter of commendation from a person or organisation outside of your community (this may include from a financial planner, mentor, etc).

(3) Young Victorian Indigenous Entrepreneur Award

To be eligible for this award the entrepreneur must be an Indigenous Australian and be a resident of Victoria.

At the time of application the entrepreneur must be aged 25 years or younger.

Applicants are to answers the following questions (not more than two pages per question):

(i) How did you start as an entrepreneur and what are your main business achievements to date?

(ii) How are you doing business in an innovative or different way, for example creating new products/services, innovations in marketing or selling?

(iii) How have your innovative practices changed the image of Indigenous businesses entrepreneurs in Indigenous and mainstream communities?

(iv) What obstacles did you face when starting your business and how have you dealt with them?

Applicants are to provide a letter of commendation from a person outside the business (this may be a financial planner, mentor etc).

(4) Outstanding Victorian Indigenous Business Leadership Award

To be eligible for this award the nominee must be an Indigenous Australian and a resident of Victoria.

Please provide answers to the following questions (limit two pages per answer):

(i) How have you provided leadership and direction in the development of Indigenous small businesses?

(ii) How have your leadership and actions changed the way Indigenous businesses and entrepreneurs are seen by Indigenous Victorians and the mainstream community?

(iii) What have been your main achievements to date in business?

(iv) What obstacles have you faced in promoting small business as a possible career path for Indigenous Victorians, and how have you dealt with them?

Applicants are to provide a letter of commendation from a person outside the business (this may be a financial planner, mentor etc).

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Judging

The Dardi Awards will be judged by an independent panel. The panel is solely responsible for the review, evaluation and selection of award recipients and its selection will be final.

All Indigenous Victorian entrepreneurs should consider entering the Dardi awards. This is a great way to have your excellence recognised, win amazing prizes, showcase your business, and build experience for entering other award programs.

The Dardi Victorian Indigenous Business Excellence Awards 2009 have been supported by many valued partners.

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Why participate in the Dardi Awards?

In Victoria’s competitive business environment, it is important to focus on ways to set your business apart from the rest. The success of Indigenous Victorian businesses in our economy needs to be profiled and celebrated.

Winning a Dardi Award will benefit your business's internal and external operations by:

  • Being honoured at the Yulkuum-Jerrang second Indigenous Economic Development Conference Gala Dinner
  • Being recognised by your peers as a leader in the field of Indigenous business
  • Generating valuable publicity and increasing awareness of your business among current and potential customers
  • Boosting morale for employees, providing opportunity for their efforts to be formally recognised
  • Providing a chance to review business goals and objectives and creating a measure to evaluate your progress

Privacy Policy

Submissions are confidential and the Koori Business Network is committed to protecting the privacy of all entrants. No information will be used without the prior consent of the nominee. Refer to www.kbnconference.vic.gov.au/privacy.php for more information.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q. Can you or your business be nominated in more than one category?
A. No, you or your business can only be nominated in one category. Entries should choose the category which best represents and highlights their successes.

Q. Is there a fee for entering?
A. No, there is no fee for entering.

Q. When will nominees be notified that they are short listed for an award?
A. The short listed nominees will be contacted by KBN once nominations have closed.

Q. Can I send the completed nomination via e-mail?
A. Yes, nominations may be submitted via post, fax or email to the address listed above.

Q. If I am 25 years old can I enter the Young Indigenous Entrepreneur Award?
A. Yes, you must be aged 25 years or under at the time of nomination to qualify for this award.
 

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