Top 10 Regional Online Heroes finalists announced
Ten innovative and inspiring businesses from across Australia have been named as this year’s Regional Online Heroes finalists in the annual competition run by the Regional Australia Institute (RAI) and Google Australia.
Regional Online Heroes recognises small to medium sized businesses that have successfully used the internet to grow and expand their operations.
This year’s finalists include:
- Birth Beat – Edwina Sharrock, Tamworth, NSW: a midwife bringing childbirth education to mums and expectant parents across the country;
- Erilan Mastectomy Collection – Jill Tucker, Wagga Wagga, NSW: a breast cancer survivor fitting and supplying prostheses, lingerie and clothing for women who have undergone breast surgery;
- Garlicious Grown – Cathy Owen and Jenny Daniher, Braidwood, NSW: friends producing and selling black garlic products, from paddock to plate across Australia and overseas;
- Graziher – Claire Dunne, Duaringa, QLD: a magazine recognising, empowering, and sharing the stories of women living in rural and remote parts of the country;
- Magpie Goose – Maggie McGowan, Katherine South, NT: a social enterprise showcasing and celebrating Indigenous culture through its clothing range, designed and created in remote Aboriginal communities;
- One Hour Out – Jay Dillon, Healesville, VIC: an online travel guide sharing the hidden gems of regional Victoria, starting one hour out of Melbourne;
- Pointer Remote Roles – Jo Palmer, The Rock, NSW: an online matchmaking platform helping employees find the best person to fill a vacant role regardless of location;
- The Bruny Island Long Weekend – Robert Knight, South Bruny, TAS: a luxury 3-day guided walking and camping tour to explore and experience Bruny Island;
- The Lake House Denmark – Leanne Rogers, Denmark, WA: a winery, cellar door, restaurant and café promoting and selling their range of gourmet products online; and
- VetShop Australia – Steven Perissinotto, Forest Glen, QLD: a one-stop pet and vet shop, stocking a range of products, and creating educational videos to help owners look after their pets.
These businesses were selected by an expert judging panel, including the Minister for Small Business, The Hon Michael McCormack MP; television presenter and host of Kochie’s Business Builders, David Koch; digital entrepreneur and founder of successful regional business Birdsnest, Jane Cay; leading Indigenous Scholar at the Queensland University of Technology’s School of Communications, Dr Sandra R. Phillips; RAI’s CEO, Jack Archer; and Google Australia’s Director of SMB, John Ball.
Mr McCormack congratulated the ten finalists and highlighted the importance of regional businesses to their communities.
“There is no shortage of innovative and creative small businesses in regional Australia demonstrated by the number of quality entrants to this year’s competition,” Mr McCormack said.
“It is great to see location is no barrier to their success, they all showcase clever new approaches to local business growth and these finalists prove that not all heroes wear capes.”
Finalists will attend an exclusive masterclass at Google’s Sydney HQ on Friday 1 December, where they will learn new skills to grow their businesses even further and the national winner will be announced.
For more information on the finalists, judges and competition, visit the website at: www.regionalaustralia.org.au/regionalonlineheroes
