MBF Honours 2009 Ethnic Business Award Finalists

Leading Australian private health insurance company, MBF helped celebrate Australia's 21st year of the Ethnic Business Awards, in honour of migrants who have made important and valuable contributions to the Australian economy in their respective fields.

The gala dinner and awards ceremony was held on Monday, 30 November in Sydney with Her Excellency Ms Quentin Bryce AC, Governor General of Australia as the Guest of Honour. As a sponsor of the Awards, MBF Health Insurance, part of Bupa Australia*, proudly presented each finalist with a gift to recognise their dedication and investment of time and resources into both the Australian economy and society.

The winning finalists from the evening were:

- Ella Rouge, a chain of beauty and health spas, secured the Award for Initiative in recognition of its philosophy's in skin care techniques and technology.
- The Boka Group, a property goliath now turning over millions of dollars annually, secured the Medium to Large Business Award.
- The Fyshwick Fresh Food Markets, which today features 33 stall holders and is currently undergoing a multi-million dollar redevelopment, won the Small Business Award

Bupa Australia Chief Financial Officer, Hisham El-Ansary, said he was particularly proud to recognise and support each finalist given he and his family immigrated to Australia from Egypt 40 years ago.

"Having previously undertaken a similar journey, I can truly appreciate the commitment and perseverance each finalist has displayed to establish businesses that are successfully contributing to communities' right across Australia," El-Ansary said.

"By engraining themselves into the country's local business environment, these finalists have become a credit to Australia's migrant community - and to Australian business as a whole.

"I would like to sincerely congratulate each finalist on the amazing contribution they've made to Australia's economic landscape, and I'm confident their enterprises will continue to thrive well into the future," he said.

The Ethnic Business Awards exist to recognise the determination and competitive spirit of Australia's migrant community by awarding business owners who have excelled in either small business or medium-to-large business categories. Finalists were flown in from all over the country, representing homelands including Lebanon, China, Italy, Mauritius, Ireland, Poland, Croatia, and Egypt.

"It's an honour to receive this gift in recognition of the work we have put into developing our successful business," said Guiseppe Giugni, who started Fyshwick Fresh Food Markets - winner of the Small Business Award - after leaving school at the age of only 15.

"The Ethnic Business Awards are a natural fit for Bupa Australia, given our ongoing commitment to supporting migrants and other overseas students and visitors to Australia in managing their healthcare and health insurance needs," El-Ansary said.

Bupa specialises in providing private health cover for 'inpats', 'ex-pats', overseas students and skilled workers and their families entering Australia on working visas such as the 457 visa through MBF's sister brand, HBA.

Importantly, HBA's customer service specialists can advise businesses - or visa holders - about the Department of Immigration and Citizenship's requirement that all 457 working visa holders maintain an adequate level of health cover for themselves and their families for the duration of their stay in Australia.

About MBF

MBF Health Insurance has been looking after Australians for more than 60 years. As a leading private health insurer, our primary aim is to help all Australians live longer, healthier and happier lives.
MBF proudly provides health cover to around 1.7 million Australians – giving them the confidence to better manage their healthcare needs. We have a broad range of quality health insurance products and an extensive national member centre network. Recently, we were independently assessed by CANNEX and named the national winner of the Outstanding Value Private Health Insurance Award.
In addition to private health insurance, MBF offers life and travel insurance, as well as financial planning, superannuation and managed investment products through ClearView Retirement Solutions.

About Bupa Australia

Bupa Australia is a leading healthcare provider. With a significant presence in every Australian state and territory, the company operates under the trusted and respected brands, HBA, MBF, Mutual Community and Clearview, proudly covering over three million Australians.
Bupa Australia is driven by the vision of "Taking care of the lives in our hands". The company is focused on providing sustainable health insurance and financial services solutions that represent real value to customers, and on leading the industry in the promotion of preventive health and wellness.
Bupa Australia's products and services include cover for hospital, medical, ancillary and ambulance services, as well as travel, life, car and home insurance, and retirement planning and lifestyle management services.
As part of the international Bupa Group, Bupa Australia draws on the strength and expertise of an international healthcare leader. The Bupa Group covers more than 10 million people in more 200 countries and provides other health and financial services to many more millions of customers around the globe.