Old Boys Bob Menzies (1960) and son Grant Menzies (1988)

From new and exciting start-ups to established business institutions, the Brisbane Lord Mayor’s Business Awards celebrate the excellence, success and innovation of Brisbane’s business community. The important contribution of these businesses to the city and its community is helping drive Brisbane’s economic future. Now in its 18th year, the 2023 awards were announced recently at a Gala Dinner at City Hall.

Congratulations to Old Boys Bob Menzies (1960) and son Grant Menzies (1988) who took out the Small Business Award and the Platinum Award which acknowledges the year’s most outstanding category winner. This is tremendous and deserved recognition of their family business Adina Watches, which Bob started in 1971. Renowned for crafting high-quality wristwatches tailored to the unique demands of the Australian lifestyle, Adina now employs a dedicated team of 16 which includes a highly skilled team of watchmakers and apprentices.

Congratulations also to Old Boys Trevor Lee (1966) and sons Anthony Lee (1997) and Michael Lee (1998) on winning the Business Transformation Award. Australian Country Choice (ACC) is a third generation, privately owned, Queensland-based cattle, beef and food processing company. Since it was establishment in 1955, ACC has become the world’s largest family-owned, vertically integrated cattle and beef supply chain, sourcing cattle from four million Queensland acres across 42 properties, processing up to 300,000 head/year, exporting to 17 countries and employing up to 1500 people from more than 61 nationalities.

Congratulations also to Old Boy Adam Flaskas (1993) and his company Howard Smith Wharves (HSW), won the Better Brisbane Award. Since opening in 2018, HSW has already become an iconic entertainment and dining precinct. With a nod to Brisbane’s wharfage history and working heritage, HSW also has a core focus on sustainability which is both ambitious and successful.