One of our region’s largest private employers is celebrating this week following the announcement that they won the Queensland Telstra Best of Business Award for Indigenous-led, owned and operated businesses succeeding through entrepreneurialism, innovation and inspiring the next generation of all Australians.
Hillery Group triumphed over 20,000 other applicants to bring the State award home to Bowen and Chief Executive Officer, Luke Hillery, said he is thrilled with the outcome.
“It’s pretty amazing,” he said.
“We are not in business to get accolades; we do it because we enjoy it and want to create a future for everyone at Hillery Group – but it is a nice feeling to have won this award.”
“We are extremely passionate and proud to create employment pathways for many young people in our community and we have high regard for the young Indigenous.
“We believe in equal opportunity and that everyone deserves a chance.”
The Hillery Group is a second-generation civil construction and quarry company that employs 120 local staff and is operated by brothers, Luke and Liam Hillery.
The business was founded by their parents who started out with just one truck for hire back in the 1980s.
The group now run five quarries, have multiple sand leases, deliver large civil projects and own over 300 assets which include trucks, excavators, loaders and graders.
In an impassioned speech on the awards night, Luke thanked his parents for their legacy and for wanting to create a better life for their family which is now thriving into another generation of Hillery’s.
He also thanks his parents for the mentorship he and his brother have received which has helped immensely since they took over and expanded the business further.
Special mention was also made to all past and present employees at Hillery Group who are the reason behind Hillery Groups success.
The Hillery family have indigenous ancestry stretching back to the Kalkadoon Tribe and have incredible stories of survival that date back through their father’s line to 1885.
As a result, the Hillery Group has always been proud of, and deeply connected to their indigenous roots.
Winning the Indigenous Excellence Award at State level gives the Hillery brothers automatic entry into the National Telstra Business Awards which are due to be held in Melbourne at the end of the month.
On the first day, they will make a presentation to a board and answer a series of questions.
They will then attend the award ceremony the following night to discover whether they have won.
Either way, Luke said they feel like winners and that the experience has been a great opportunity to reflect on the success of their business and the contribution made by everyone who is part of the broader “Hillery family”.
Owners of Hillery Group, Luke and Liam Hillery, accepting their Telstra Better Business Award for Indigenous Excellence in Brisbane last week. Photo supplied
The Hillery Family and management team attended the awards in Brisbane last week
