2022 Henry Ngai Medium to Large Finalists
The Ethnic Business Awards Foundation would like to congratulate all of the finalists of the 2022 Henry Ngai Medium to Large Business Category.
1Bill Holdings - Neil Saligrama - Melbourne VIC
While the devastating 9/11 attacks took place in the USA, the impact was felt much more broadly. For Neil Saligrama it changed the employment landscape for software engineers dramatically in his home country of India. With career prospects in the field at an all-time low, Neil and his family felt the best option would be to further his studies in a Western country. In July 2002, Neil arrived in Melbourne, Australia ready, willing and able to do all that it took to make himself a success story and repay the sacrifices made by his parents. With debt and responsibilities weighing on his shoulders, Neil was forced to balance work, study and finances carefully. Following several years working for start-ups in the tech space, Neil made the courageous decision to venture out on his own. Seeing a gap in the market, Neil established a company specialising in comparison and connecting utility services. Founding the company in 2010 with just 2 employees, today 1Bill has saved over $100 million dollars in bills for its clients, has connected over 800,000 services, employs over 150 people and operates across Australia and New Zealand with future ambitions to expand into North America and Asia.
Avenues and Little Lane Group of Early Learning Centres - Shan Kuo & Mike Wu - Hawthorn VIC
When Shan Kuo emigrated to Australia with her family from Taiwan, she was forced to grow up much quicker than most other 10-year-olds. However, in pursuit of a better education and a life of opportunities Shan came to understand the reasons behind the decision. Following her graduation and marriage to Mike, together they chased a dream. Leaving the security of stable employment, they went all in, with the help of family and financial institutions to start their journey in the early learning and childcare industry. Avenues and Little Lane Group of early learning centres started from humble beginnings with one centre in Runcorn, Brisbane and now operates 19 centres across Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney. Providing high quality education and care to over 2,800 children daily and now employing over 850 people nationwide, Avenues and Little Lane Group has transformed the early learning landscape one child at a time, with future ambitions of operating over 50 centres nationwide.
Peregrine Corporation Pty Ltd - Charlie Shahin AO - Kensington Park SA
War is unfortunately one of the realities of human history and for Charlie Shahin AO and his family, its devastating impact hit close to home. Born in Lebanon as a Palestinian refugee following the 1948 Arab-Israeli conflict, Charlie and his family had no option other than hard work, humility and hope to make the most of their situation. With an opportunity arising to migrate to Australia in 1984, Charlie’s family decided to take a leap of faith with little more than a dream for a better future. Settling in Adelaide, the struggles of a migrant’s life began to take its toll. With no job and limited funds, Charlie’s father, Fred, made the decision to purchase a service station with an adjoining house on the property. Starting with 3 employees, including Charlie, the Shahins got to work growing the business. By 1988 they had established 3 service stations and 2 gift shops, and over the coming years the business grew rapidly. Today, under Charlie’s stewardship and 6,000 employees nationally, Peregrine Corporation owns and operates 170 service stations across Australia; 11 Subway / Hungry Jack stores; 9 Krispy Kreme stores and 224 gift sites. With a turnover of almost $3 billion dollars, Peregrine is one of the largest private companies in Australia and the largest private employer in SA.
SSS Strawberries - Gina Cam Yen Dang - Bundaberg QLD
Fleeing Vietnam by boat after several failed attempts, the Dang family made it to Indonesia and remained there for 4 years in a refugee camp. It wasn’t until 1994 that Gina Cam Yen Dang and her family arrived in Perth, Australia where the land was heaven, but life was hard. With no language, no support system but a strong work ethic, the Dang’s banded together to make the most of their new opportunity. Gina’s parents landed jobs as pickers and packers on strawberry farms prior to taking a leap of faith and purchasing their own farm in the year 2000. All seven children including Gina toiled the land each day after school and on weekends to help turn a profit. This was the birth of SSS strawberries – ‘Seven Successful Siblings’. Two decades later and a relocation to Bundaberg, QLD and today SSS Strawberries has become an award-winning strawberry grower cultivating over 250 acres and employing around 350 staff to be among the top three strawberry producers in Australia.
