THE WINNERS of the Queensland 2023 Telstra ‘Best of Business’ Awards have been announced, with one Bowen business taking home the coveted Indigenous Excellence award.
The Hillery Group was awarded this category for being an Indigenous led, owned and operated business, which succeeds through entrepreneurialism and innovation, and inspires the next generation of Australians.
Hillery Group is an Indigenous family-owned business, founded in Bowen, in 1976. Today, the business is led by the next generation, Luke and Liam Hillery.
The Hillery Group started out as a small civil contractor but has now become a complete on-site quarry and civil earthmoving company, and has supplied a variety of quarry materials throughout Queensland, for 30 years.
At present, the Hillery Group owns and operates four quarries in the Whitsunday region, including Bowen, Collinsville and Abbot Point, as well as a decomposed granite pit and sand reserve, near Bowen.
Recently, the Hillary Group started work with Gilmore Space, Australia’s premier space technology company, which builds satellites and rockets for low earth orbit.
The Hillary Group constructed an access road and launch pad for the project.
CEO and co-owner of Hillery Group Luke Hillery said the Hillary Group was extremely passionate about equal opportunity for everybody.
“We are extremely passionate and proud to create employment pathways for many young people in our community, with a high regard for the young indigenous,” Mr Hillery said.
“We believe in equal opportunity and that everybody deserves a chance, we are very humble and proud to even be considered for the state finals.
“Thank you to Telstra for putting on such a special event and taking us on this journey. It’s not very often you get to step out of your business and reflect and that’s exactly what this process does.”
Telstra’s ‘Best of Business’ Awards are an annual recognition of small and medium-sized businesses that are making a difference in the country.
The state winners will now go on to represent their state and territory, at a national level, on Wednesday, March 22.
The event will conclude at the 2023 Telstra ‘Best of Business’ Awards National Gala Dinner, on Thursday, March 23, where the leading businesses will be unveiled, along with the Business of the Year.
