“Canberra Business Council nominated Mr Gaul for the Australian Export Hero Award which recognises individuals who have made an outstanding contribution to building Australia’s position and performance in international trade” says Chris Faulks, CEO, Canberra Business Council.

David, together with his business partner Ian Croser, built CEA Technologies from a small two-person consultancy in 1983 into a company which employs over 260 staff, turning over in excess of $50 million per annum.    

The Council was thrilled to hear that David’s nomination had been successful.  David is represented on several management boards and continues to work tirelessly behind the scenes to support ACT and surrounding region business growth and to encourage the exploration of international markets” Chris Faulks said.

David joins the likes of Wolf Blass AM, Ambassador for Wolf Blass Wines International, John Conomos AO, former Executive Chairman of Toyota Australia and Peter Beattie, Queensland’s Trade Commissioner to the Americas, becoming only the third Export Hero from the ACT.  The other ACT Export Heroes are the Hon Tim Fischer in 2001 and Canberra’s own Brand Hoff, founder of Tower Software in 2006.

David single-handedly drove CEA Technologies export business right from the company’s inception in 1983 and was entirely instrumental in setting up CEA Technologies Inc, CEA Technologies’ US presence.

But beyond CEA, David became the first President of the ACT Exporters’ Network in 2003.  “He was extremely active in this role, constantly meeting with business and government representatives to further the export goals of ACT and surrounding region exporters across all industry sectors and at varying levels of export capabilities” says Brooke Anderson, Manager, ACT Exporters’ Network. 

David continues to play a pivotal role in developing an export culture within CEA Technologies, local start up businesses and in the Territory generally.  David’s experience has been invaluable in guiding companies like Seeing Machines through the global product development stage. 

The Governor General, Her Excellency Ms Quentin Bryce AC and His Excellency Mr Michael Bryce AM AE will present David Gaul and five other individuals with the 2009/2010 Australian Export Hero Award at an Induction Ceremony at Government House at 5pm on 30 April 2010.

For more information on the Australian Export Heroes Award or the 2010 ACT Chief Minister’s Export Awards please contact Brooke Anderson on 0400 090 452 or at brooke.anderson@canberrabusinesscouncil.com.au

Sentinel Pty Ltd provides specialised services to clients in the Mining and Government sectors, including design, implementation and operation of remote environmental monitoring solutions.  Sentinel also won the Small to Medium Services Award at this year’s Export Awards 

Director, Rod Sandison accepted the Award on behalf of Sentinel’s employees. “The Sentinel team has been integral to the success of the company. The team consists of individuals with varied skill sets, who come from diverse cultural backgrounds yet, together, they maintain a strong work ethic and a dedication to excellence”.

“The ACT Export Awards have rightly earned the reputation as one of the most prestigious and significant industry awards on the Territory’s business calendar.  This in large part due to the evident ACT Government support for the Awards themselves and, more generally, to the growing level of commitment to exporting within our small to medium businesses”   Chris Faulks, CEO, Canberra Business Council said today.  

“For nine years Sentinel has been exporting its products and services to some of the harshest and most security-challenged locations in the world, with clients spread across the globe from Africa to Asia Pacific and the Dominican Republic” said Chris Faulks.

The ACT’s Emerging Exporter Award was given to Windlab Systems, a global wind energy development company.  Their track record in progressing commercially viable sites is reflected in a growing portfolio spanning Canada, USA, South Africa, Australia and New Zealand.

Other notable category winners include Aspen Medical, a provider of healthcare services to remote areas or regions of high demand and recent recipient of BWR’s most Successful Private Business (under $100 million) of the Year Award; Lucy Media Pty Ltd, a Canberra based media and entertainment company; Dysol, a world leader in the development and commercialisation of third generation photovoltaics and CIT Solutions who were praised for their work in recruiting over 1000 international students from over 75 countries annually.

Recruitment Systems Pty Ltd and Stratsec, both category winners at last year’s ACT Export Awards continued to demonstrate strong export performance taking out the Small Business and Information & Communication Technology Awards respectively in 2009.

“Motivating competitive ACT companies to become exporters and growing an export culture in the ACT through raising awareness of export opportunities is an important factor in
ensuring sustained export growth, employment and economic activity in the ACT” said Kevin Reilly, Chairperson of Canberra Business Council’s International Business Taskforce. 

The 2009 ACT Chief Minister’s Export Awards category winners:
Arts and Entertainment Award –  Lucy Media Pty Ltd
Education and Training Award - CIT Solutions Pty Ltd
Emerging Exporter Award      - Windlab Systems Pty Ltd
Information and Communication Technology Award - stratsec
Large Services Award      - Aspen Medical
Small Business Award       - Recruitment Systems Pty Ltd
Small to Medium Manufacturer Award - Dyesol Limited
Small to Medium Services Award  -  Sentinel Pty Ltd
The winners of the 2009 ACT Chief Minister’s Export Awards will automatically progress as national finalists to the 47th Australian Export Awards where one winner will receive the Prime Minister’s Exporter of the Year Award.

For more information on the ACT Chief Minister’s Export Awards please contact Brooke Anderson at brooke.anderson@canberrabusinesscouncil.com.au or 0400 090 452.