Ernst & Young is pleased to announce the 108 entrepreneurs who will compete for the title of Entrepreneur Of The Year 2006, one of Australia's leading business awards.

In announcing the 2006 regional finalists, Ernst & Young Chief Executive, James Millar said:
"Through the Entrepreneur Of The Year (EOY) program, we acknowledge the great wealth of entrepreneurial talent shaping Australia's future. The stories told by the men and women coming through EOY are inspirational and their places as finalists in the first round of these Awards are truly deserved. We congratulate them on their success so far."

Since Ernst & Young's global program started in Australia in 2001, some 417 leading Australian entrepreneurs have been recognised for their entrepreneurial spirit. Entrants are assessed by a leading panel of independent judges on their innovation, integrity, influence, strategic direction and national/global impact. Their relationships with their local communities are also taken into account, with judges looking to see a clear and sustainable commitment to corporate social responsibility.

"Ernst & Young is committed to the development and recognition of the entrepreneurial spirit which is so vital to the lifeblood of Australia", Mr Millar said.

Entrepreneur Of The Year is one of the leading business awards program in Australia and the only program of its kind with an international platform. Founded and produced by Ernst & Young, and launched in Australia in 2001, it celebrates entrepreneurs who build and lead successful businesses. The international recognition of the awards positions finalists and winners as world-class entrepreneurs and provides a benchmark for entrepreneurial excellence.

The EOY program is conducted across five regions with these winners progressing to the national awards ceremony in November. Independent judging panels drawn from a broad range of successful Australian businesses assess the entrepreneurs on their innovation, integrity, influence, strategic direction, and national or global impact.

The Australian Entrepreneur Of The Year is invited to represent Australia at the Ernst & Young World Entrepreneur Of The Year held annually in June in Monte Carlo. Former Australian winners have included Peter Farrell of ResMed Limited (2001), John Rothwell AO of Austal Limited (2002), David Bussau AM of Opportunity International (2003); Robert Gerard AO of Gerard Corporation (2004) and Tony D'Antonio and Peter Hosking of Global Machinery Company Worldwide (2005).

The program was first established in the US in 1986. Entrepreneur Of Year winners outside of Australia have included Scott McNealy, Sun Microsystems (1987), Michael Dell, Dell Computer (1989); Howard Schultz, Starbucks (1991); Jeff Bezos, Amazon.com (1997); Eddie Jordan, Jordan Grand Prix (2000); and Narayana Murthy, Infosys Technologies (2003).

In Australia the Entrepreneur Of The Year program is supported by the Australian Stock Exchange, Westpac Business Bank, Qantas and AusIndustry.

The 2006 Regional Entrepreneur Of The Year finalists

NSW - Eastern Region
Mark Alexander-Erber, The Pubboy Group of Companies
Mike Cannon-Brookes and Scott Farquhar, Atlassian
Bob Cheng, Permission Corp
Peter Cockbain, AMPControl
Stead Denton, IPL Datron
Olga Goudz and Antony Sheen, Altech Computers
Miles Joyce and Craig Wilson, NetX
Glenn Keys and Andrew Walker, Aspen Medical
Anne Kowalski, Kowalski Recruitment
Jim Marr, Valleygirl Fashions
Mark McConnell, Frontier Group Australia
Bill Mobbs, ITL
Ryan O'Hare, People Telecom
Tom Roche, SNP Security
Derek Rynenberg, ATF Hire Group
David Scanlen and Michael Tate, Storage King
David Stevens, Brennan IT and SecureTelecom
Harry Wilson, Wilson Waste Management

VIC / TAS - Southern Region
Rakesh Aggarwal, Longwarry Food Park
Jean-Yves Avenard, Hydrix
Jack Barclay, CRF
Glen Cameron, Glen Cameron Group
Dragan Dimitrovici, Xenon Technology Group
Ken Doggett, K.W. Doggett Fine Paper
Robert Green and Gerald Molenkamp, CommTel Network Solutions
Leigh Jasper and Robert Phillpot, Aconex
Mark Judd and Adrian Lewis, Geomatic Technologies
Alex Moulieris, PLAN Australia
Alan Oppenheim, EGO Pharmaceuticals
Robert Pitts, Hacer
Grant Ross and Peter Scully, SAI Group
Greg Rosshandler, Finewrap
William Scott, SMARTOPTION

SA - Central Region
Burt Admiraal and John Hardy, H & L Australia
Nick Bianco, Bianco Building Supplies
Boris Bosnich, Challenge Recruitment
Simon Brown, Resourceco
Tony Clark, Didier Elzinga, Gail Fuller and Wayne Lewis, Rising Sun Pictures
Scott Hicks, Adam Internet
Michael Kohn, Air South
Con Manias, FCT Group of Companies
Martyn Manuel, Fibrelogic
Sarah Marquis and Sparky Marquis, Grapes
Kym Martin, Martins
Geoff Rohrsheim, Strategic Data Management
Ian Sargent, Ride On! Entertainment
Adrian Smith, SYDAC
Darren Turner, MiniJumbuk
Ben Wilson, Wilson People Management

QLD / NT - Northern Region
Steve Baxter and Bevan Slattery, PIPE Networks
Lyle Bruce and David Noon, GroundProbe
Bob Cameron, Rockcote Enterprises
Dean Cameron and Jill Jordan, Biolytix Technologies
Ross Clayton, The Vast Interior
Allan English, Silver Chef
Lex Forsyth, Sea Cargo Logistics
Elena Gosse and Kerry Gosse, AIS Enterprises
Darren Hamblin and Andrew Watts, Mastermyne
Bill Henderson, O.P.D.
Bruce Maclaren, Brisbane Steel Fabrications
Rick Nelson, Centrepoint Alliance Limited
Brett Pointon, Oaks Hotels & Resorts
John Puttick, GBST
Adam Rockett and Chris Ryan, Strike
Dean Wanless, Wanless Wastecorp

WA - Western Region
Rob Appleyard, Lazer Safe
Rob Bird, Paramount Safety Products
Tony Canci, Freo Machinery
David Devoy, Advantage Air
John Driscoll, Marketforce
Adam Durell, Chippendale Design & Construction
Paul Farrell, NGIS Australia
Ross Fitzgerald, Nev Hurring, Peter Nichols and Brian Piggott, Steel Blue
Jim Ireland, Gemco Rail
Tony Lennon, Peet & Co
Brett McKeon, AFG Ltd
Ray Munro, Jack Rowley and David Walker, Calibre Group of Companies
Marylyn New, Esplanade Hotel Fremantle
Tom Pado, TMT
Richard Poulson and Kylie Radford, Morrison
Dr Andrew Rado, Rewards Group Ltd
Andrew van der Meer and Jim van der Meer, van der Meer Group

Key dates for 2006:
World Entrepreneur Of The Year, Monte Carlo - June 10, 2006
Northern Region award ceremony, Brisbane - July 13, 2006
Eastern Region award ceremony, Sydney - August 3, 2006
Western Region award ceremony, Perth - August 17, 2006
Central Region award ceremony, Adelaide - September 21, 2006
Southern Region award ceremony, Melbourne - August 31, 2006