Best in the business (7/8/2003)

Sydney’s gay and lesbian business community came out in force last week at the inaugural Business Leaders’ Awards.

The awards were organised by the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Business Association to recognise the contribution to business and the community by some of our most prominent workers.

Performer Simon Burke hosted the evening at the Queen Victoria Building’s Tea Rooms. Award winners were Ignatius Jones (pictured centre) (the 3 Eminent Business Leader award), Carlotta (pictured foreground) (the Spirit Award), Skinny Dips at Avoca (Outstanding New Business), Michael Ebeid (Outstanding Business-person/corporate) and Cambridge Events (Outstanding Gay/Lesbian Business). Rodney Cambridge won the Outstanding Gay Businessman award and Maggie Russell (pictured right) the Out-standing Lesbian Business-woman award. In addition, Dr Kerryn Phelps (pictured left) was made an honorary life member of the SGLBA.

The SGLBA launched the inaugural Business Leaders’ Awards as an extension of our role in developing and supporting gay men and lesbians in business, Association president Joseph Mifsud told the Star.

Mifsud said the event would be held again next year.

There has to be another one next year, he said. People are already starting to say, -˜Wow, when’s the next one?’

The next SGLBA Fruits in Suits after-work networking drinks will be held at the Avillion Hotel, corner of Pitt and Liverpool Streets, Sydney, on Thursday 21 August.