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FBA (SA) Media Release: 21 July 2011
WINEMAKER, FASHION RETAILER AND
TRAVEL AGENT INDUCTED INTO FBA HALL OF FAME
A winemaker, fashion retailer and travel agent were inducted into the Family Business Hall of Fame last night, July 27, at the 10th Annual Family Business Hall of Fame Dinner.
Three iconic South Australian family businesses - Henschke Wines, Barlow Shoe Stores and Phil Hoffmann Travel – were awarded this prestigious honour and presented with Hall of Fame membership certificates by Hon Tom Koutsantonis, Minister for Industry and Trade.
Presented by Family Business Australia, the annual event recognises South Australian businesses that have excelled in their area of expertise and made a significant contribution to South Australian society.
Chairman of the South Australian Chapter of Family Business Australia, Mr Kent Aughey, said the calibre of nominations for the 2011 Family Business Hall of Fame was second to none.
“South Australia is exceptionally fortunate in being home to some of Australia’s greatest and most respected business families,” Mr Aughey said.
“This is testament to the outstanding quality of the three very different family businesses that were inducted into the Family Business Hall of Fame last night.”
Mr Aughey said that 5th Generation Henschke Wines and Barlow Shoe Stores both exemplified the fundamentals of successful multi-generational family businesses.
“Henschke Wines is one of the longest-established family wine names in the Barossa Valley and one of the most recognised winemakers in Australia,” Mr Aughey said.
“Each generation has built on the reputation for quality and the current incumbents Stephen and Prue Henschke are dedicated to ecologically sustainable practices and to restoring the international perception of Australian wine as one of quality, diversity and integrity.
“Similarly, the Whittenbury family, of A W Barlow Shoe Stores, has demonstrated unsurpassed excellence in shoemaking and retailing.
“This has enabled them to trade continuously in Rundle Street and Rundle Mall since 1868 - the longest run of any Rundle retailer.
“The family has expanded the business and currently operates five retail stores – A W Barlow Shoes in Rundle Mall, Judd’s Shoes at Glenelg and Grundy’s Shoes in Rundle Street City, Glenelg and Victor Harbor.”
Brenton Whittenbury is the current Managing Director, with nephews Gavin and Damien Whittenbury becoming the sixth generation to work in the business and assuming the day to day running of the business initiated by their great-great-great-grandfather, Thomas Judd.
Mr Aughey said that Phil Hoffmann Travel is an outstanding story of a first generation business owner turning his venture into an iconic SA business entirely during his own tenure.
“First generation family businesses are only inducted into the Family Business Hall of Fame if they have established themselves as an icon in their industry, and demonstrated outstanding entrepreneurship and a positive influence on the well-being of this state,” Mr Aughey said.
“This feat typically takes family businesses several generations, however Phil Hoffmann Travel has achieved this in just 20 years.
“Since establishing his own business in 1990, Phil Hoffmann’s agency (which became a family business when his wife Alison and other family members became involved) has been voted National Agency of the Year five times, South Australian Agency of the Year eight times, Australia's No.1 Corporate Agency at the National Travel Industry Awards, and was an inaugural inductee into the Qantas Platinum Club."
Mr Aughey said over 130 business owners, their families and key employees attended the event to celebrate the success of their peers, along with professional advisers and academics with particular interest and expertise in the family business field.
Hall of Fame membership certificates were presented by The Hon Tom Koutsantonis, Minister for Industry and Small Business and the event was proudly sponsored by Westpac.
“Attendees heard inspirational stories, networked with other like-minded business leaders, and discovered the special qualities that helped these businesses rise to the top of their individual fields,” he said.
Director of Carrick Hill, Mr Richard Heathcote, was the guest speaker on the night.
Media contact: Louise Marsh at Corporate Conversation on 08 8224 3535