eWAY was last night named the 2008 Telstra ACT Business of the Year, after being selected from some of ACT’s best businesses. The Phillip-based, online payment specialist was selected from over 16 finalists and was presented the night’s top award by Ms Deena Shiff, Group Managing Director of Telstra Business and Telstra Business Awards Ambassador.

eWAY provides secure online credit card and direct debit payments for Australian eCommerce merchants. eWAY’s products are integrated with all major banks and credit card schemes, providing scalable solutions for businesses ranging from hobby sites to multinational corporations.

XML Real-time Payment Solution is eWAY’s flagship product which enables merchants to automate their sales and receive a transaction result within seconds. Earlier this year, eWAY became a trans-Tasman payment gateway after activating its first New Zealand merchant and plans to open a United Kingdom gateway by 2009.

Ms Deena Shiff, Group Managing Director of Telstra Business and Telstra Business Awards Ambassador, congratulated this year’s ACT award winners and finalists for their outstanding contribution to the Australian business sector.

“The judges were highly impressed by eWAY’s strong international and domestic growth, innovative thinking, company vision and risk management. These key areas are the building blocks of eWAY’s success and make the company a role model for all ACT businesses,” Ms Shiff said.

Category award winners in the 2008 Telstra ACT Business Awards included: • Palm Micro-Business Award (for businesses with five employees or fewer); o Online gift service, Hamperesque, from Fyshwick; • MYOB Small Business Award (for businesses with six to 20 employees); o Online payment specialist, eWAY, from Phillip; • Panasonic Australia Medium Business Award (for businesses with 21 to 200 employees); o ICT security consultancy, stratsec, from Canberra; • AMP Innovation Award (for businesses that have successfully introduced an innovative product, service or process); o Engineering consultancy, Codarra Advanced Systems, from Jamison Centre and, Telstra’s national media inquiry line is 1300 769 780 and the Telstra Media Centre is located at: www.telstra.com.au/abouttelstra/media • Sensis Social Responsibility Award (for demonstrated leadership and contribution by a business to the environment, people, education or the community); o Chocolatier and café, All Things Chocolate, from Kingston. ACT award winners will now compete against other state and territory winners at the national final in Sydney on Friday 10 October, where they will be eligible to win the national award in their category. Overall winners from each state and territory are also in the running to be crowned the 2008 Telstra Australian Business of the Year.

This year’s award winners share in a national prize pool of over $400,000, with the 2008 Telstra Australian Business of the Year set to receive $25,000 in cash prizes and Telstra products and services.

Telstra is one of the largest corporate sponsors in Australia, investing in sponsorships that touch Australians from communities right across the country. The London Benchmarking Group evaluated Telstra’s contributions to the community at almost $19 million last financial year. - ENDSTo

coordinate interviews with ACT award winners or a Telstra spokesperson, or to request images for publication, please contact: Telstra Media Contact: Professional Public Relations: Lucy Wicks Emily Freezer (02) 9206 0020 (03) 8643 1621 0419 471 087 0422 073 655 Telstra’s national media inquiry line is 1300 769 780 and the Telstra Media Centre is located at: www.telstra.com.au/abouttelstra/media 2008 Telstra ACT Business Award winners

Hamperesque, Fyshwick;
Winner of the Palm Micro-Business Award (for businesses with five employees or fewer); Hamperesque provides corporate gifts and hamper services for all occasions to the corporate, internet and retail markets. The Hamperesque range includes gourmet foods, liquor, fruit, chocolate, baby and corporate hampers. Established in 2003, Hamperesque has grown from a small internet business to the largest in its area, serving both the local market and national corporate clients. Now located in a larger venue which includes a showroom and adjoining warehouse, Hamperesque aspires to increase market penetration within the larger capital cities over the next five years.

eWAY, Phillip;
(Winner of the 2008 Telstra ACT Business of the Year) Winner of the MYOB Small Business Award (for businesses with six to 20 employees); eWAY provides secure online credit card and direct debit payments for Australian eCommerce merchants. eWAY’s products are integrated with all major banks and credit card schemes, providing scalable solutions for businesses ranging from hobby sites to multinational corporations. XML Real-time Payment Solution is eWAY’s flagship product which enables merchants to automate their sales and receive a transaction result within seconds. Earlier this year, eWAY became a trans-Tasman payment gateway after activating its first New Zealand merchant and plans to open a United Kingdom gateway by 2009.

stratsec, Canberra;
Winner of the Panasonic Australia Medium Business Award (for businesses with 21 to 200 employees); stratsec provides consulting services designed to help clients understand their operating environment and ensure their security solutions align with their business needs. Established in 2003, the business is headquartered in Canberra and also operates in Melbourne, Perth and Sydney, as well as supplying services to the United States, New Zealand and South-East Asia. stratsec consultants work with clients to empower business leaders to make informed decisions regarding the security of their business. The company has recently implemented a centre for excellence within Australia, which has been branded the stratsec LAB.

Codarra Advanced Systems, Jamison Centre;
Winner of the AMP Innovation Award (for businesses that have successfully introduced an innovative product, service or service); Codarra Advanced Systems is an engineering consultancy which provides services in the areas of defence and information and communications technology. Its Electrical Load Analysis software is a unique product which enables aircraft manufacturers to model the effects of changes to an aircraft’s electrical system. Previously, manufacturers used error-prone spreadsheets that took weeks to assess the electrical changes that the Electrical Load Analysis software can calculate in several hours. The software has been purchased by global aeronautics companies and is used on the Blackhawk helicopters in the Australian Army. Telstra’s national media inquiry line is 1300 769 780 and the Telstra Media Centre is located at: www.telstra.com.au/abouttelstra/media

All Things Chocolate, Kingston;
Winner of the Sensis Social Responsibility Award (for demonstrated leadership and contribution by a business to the environment, people, education or the community); All Things Chocolate is an authentic chocolate café specialising in handcrafted, gourmet chocolates and cakes. The business is committed to employing people with disabilities in meaningful roles, and currently employs four staff with intellectual disabilities or mental illness. These employees are valued members of staff and carry out critical tasks including food preparation, barista duties, stock rotation and banking. All Things Chocolate also actively supports RSPCA Wildlife, donating a portion of its profits to the organisation to assist with the rehabilitation of orphaned and injured Australian wildlife.

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