Diverse industries from around Australia are leading the way in promoting gender equality in workplaces, with mining companies rubbing shoulders with cosmetics distributors in the list of finalists for this year's Business Achievement Awards conducted by the Equal Opportunity for Women in the Workplace Agency (EOWA).

Speaking at the announcement of finalists EOWA Director, Helen Conway, said the list reflected the broadening range of businesses that recognised the advantages of improving gender diversity in the workplace.

"There is a strong business case for organisations to change their workplace practices and cultures to ensure that women, as well as men, are able to progress through the ranks and develop their talents fully," Ms Conway said today.

"These finalists have been chosen because they have employed strategies that enable women to fully participate in their organisations from the recruitment process through to senior management, with caring responsibilities not seen as a barrier to career progression and recognition."

Thirty organisations and individuals have been selected as finalists for the awards, now in their 11th year, with the winners to be announced at a special event in Sydney on November 9.

The key-note speakers will be the Minister for the Status of Women, the Hon Kate Ellis and Corporate Express Chief Executive, Paul Hitchcock, who will be there to congratulate the winners and finalists. Australian Financial Review Boss Deputy Editor, Catherine Fox, will moderate the event.

The six award categories are:

•  Leading CEO for the Advancement of Women;

• Diversity Leader for the Advancement of Women;

• Leading Organisation for the Advancement of Women -for organisations with less than 800 employees;

• Leading Organisation for the Advancement of Women - for organisations with more than 800 employees;

• Outstanding EEO Practice for the Advancement of Women in a Non-Traditional Area or Role; and

• The Minister's Award for Outstanding EEO Initiative/Result for the Advancement of Women.

"I congratulate each of the finalists," Ms Conway said.

"Regardless of the results, each and every entrant is to be commended for their excellent efforts in developing and supporting equitable workplaces and I thank them on behalf of EOWA for their commitment," Ms Conway said.

2011 EOWA Business Achievement Awards
Summary of Finalists

Leading CEO for the Advancement of Women
Sponsored by Australian Industry Group

Ralph Norris (Commonwealth Bank of Australia)
Deborah Waterhouse (GlaxoSmithKline Australia Pty Ltd)
Karen Spiller (St Aidan’s Anglican Girls’ School)
Alan Robson (The University of Western Australia)
Gail Kelly (Westpac Banking Corporation)

Diversity Leader for the Advancement of Women
Sponsored by Commonwealth Bank of Australia

Helen O’Brien (Catholic Education Office – Adelaide)
Kerry Thomas (L’Oreal Australia Pty Ltd)
Philip Jones (Maddocks)
Sally Macindoe (Norton Rose Australia)
Katie-Jeyn Romeyn (St Barbara Limited)

Leading Organisation for the Advancement of Women (<800 employees)
Sponsored by IBM Australia

Amgen Australia Pty Ltd
ASX Limited
Catholic Education Office - Adelaide
Henry Davis York
ITC Limited

Leading Organisation for the Advancement of Women (>800 employees)

Australian Catholic University Limited
Corporate Express Australia Pty Limited
National Australia Bank Limited
Stockland Development Pty Ltd
Westpac Banking Corporation

Outstanding EEO Practice for the Advancement of Women in a Non-Traditional Area or Role
Sponsored by ExxonMobil Australia

Downer EDI Ltd
National Australia Bank Limited
Rio Tinto Iron Ore
St Barbara Limited
James L. Williams Pty Ltd

The Minister's Award for Outstanding EEO Initiative/Result for the Advancement of Women

Catholic Education Office – Diocese of Wollongong
CSL Limited
Hayman Island Great Barrier Reef
Maddocks
The University of Sydney

Event: 2011 EOWA Business Achievement Awards Event
Date: Wednesday 9 November 2011
Time: 12pm – 2.15pm
Venue Doltone House, Darling Island Wharf, Pyrmont

Sponsors: Australian Industry Group, Commonwealth Bank of Australia, ExxonMobil Australia and IBM Australia Limited

Supporter: Dress for Success Sydney

For further information on the Business Achievement Awards 2011 and/or media interviews with EOWA Director Helen Conway, please contact:

Vanessa Crago, Senior Communications Advisor
Fiona Paris, EOWA Partnerships Executive Manager,
Kate Courtenay, EOWA Events & Partnerships Officer

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