From a locally-owned engineering firm completing a large job with 300,000 man hours injury free to an engineering consultancy successfully gaining access to foreign markets – some of the Mackay region’s most innovative businesses have been celebrated at the Resource Industry Network 2016 Chairman’s Awards on Friday night. The awards, sponsored by KPMG, recognise the significant achievement and enterprise that local businesses are demonstrating across six categories, including safety, leadership, export and innovation. Resource Industry Network Chairman Tony Caruso said the evening was hugely successful with more than 250 in attendance to celebrate the people, the innovation and the successes of the resource services sector. “These awards recognise excellence in business and the significant contribution that those businesses make to the regional economy and community. All winners were truly worthy of their awards and I congratulate them on their hard work and outstanding achievement,” Mr Caruso said. Winners on the night included TEAM Engineering for their outstanding safety record, G&S Engineering for its inspirational #HANDSUP campaign which is forging a pathway for ending the stigma surrounding mental health, and Mackay family business Payne Print for their efforts to ‘give whenever they can’. Haynes Group’s out of the box thinking in order to remain sustainable and continue to grow was rewarded with a win last night, as was Clearcut Mining Solutions for its clear and sustainable export strategy which has seen it successfully gain access to foreign markets as well as identify opportunities to bring technology used elsewhere back to Australia. Mastermyne Group Financial Controller Liz Blockley was an individual winner on the night for her ability to lead and manage both tasks and a team combined with her technical capability and commercial acumen. Bringing his own unique insights to the event was keynote speaker and Winter Olympic gold medallist Steven Bradbury. The awards honoured the achievements of 18 businesses and individuals who were shortlisted for their demonstrations of originality, practicality and forward thinking. The winners of the six categories were: Safety Foremost Award – sponsored by Ergon Energy TEAM Engineering Leading from the Front Award – sponsored by Techserve G&S Engineering Connecting in the Community Award – sponsored by Local Buying Foundation Payne Print Chasing Foreign markets – sponsored by Mackay Regional Council Clearcut Mining Solutions Out of the Box Award – sponsored by North Queensland Bulk Ports Haynes Group Standing Out from the Crowd – sponsored by Adani Mining Liz Blockley – Mastermyne Group