News and events
December 8, 2003
They are young, bright and they mean business. From December 10-13, 50 of the top business students from high schools around Australia will come to Adelaide to compete in the UniSA-hosted national finals of Australian Business Week (ABW).
In teams of 10 representing all the mainland states, the students will take part in four days of education and competition – with the South Australian team keen to retain the National Champions’ title they won last year.
The students will learn about marketing, finance, law, human resources and media management through lectures presented by academics and business people, and will use this knowledge to devise business plans for the competition.
This year the spotlight will be on tourism, with keynote speaker federal minister for small business and tourism, Joe Hockey, a special guest, along with public affairs manager for the Australian Tourist Commission, Olivia Wirth.
SA ABW program director and UniSA accounting and information systems lecturer Gerard Stone says the program aims to develop an enterprising culture in schools so that young people are equipped with the skills to create and manage personal, community, business and work opportunities.
"It really is a hothouse for the nation’s future business leaders," he says. "ABW helps the students develop the skills they will need for the future, whether they are interested in working for an established company or starting their own business."
The ABW programs – now run in six Australian states – were developed by a partnership of business, schools and universities for high school students. More than 60,000 students have participated in the programs since they were established in 1992.
The South Australian ABW team
Kylie Allen (Clare High School)
Stephanie Bittoto (St Dominics Priory College)
Kate Brook (University Senior College)
Natalie Caruso (Seaton High School)
Wes Parker (Urrbrae Agricultural High School)
Cameron Price-Austin (Minlaton District School)
Kallem Ruediger (Findon High School)
John Tomazos (Pulteney Grammar School)
Richard Warneke (Mercedes College)
