2008 Women in Business Winners
National Receivables Group’s.
Michelle Bubke
After leaving school at the age of 14, Michelle worked her way up the food chain in the male-dominated debt collection industry. 
After certifying several agencies in Perth and Brisbane, Michelle started her own company, National Receivables Group, in 2001.
As the company grew, Michelle started other projects - a multi-million dollar corporate debt purchasing service called CrediProtect, a do-it-yourself debt collection tool called uCollect – and took up a position on the Board of the Institute of Mercantile Agents. This year, Michelle will oversee the international expansion of her offices, building on her relationships with clients in the Telecommunications, Insurance, Banking & Finance industry.
Managing Director of O’Phee Trailers
Sharon O'phee
Sharon founded the company with her husband Mick in 1991 at Rocklea.
O’Phee Trailers is a one-stop show for people wanting to buy, service or repair trailers.
Her commitment not only to O’Phee Trailers but to the issues affecting the wider industry is second to none.
With the trailer building industry in a boom period, Sharon has been vigilant in bringing to the fore the challenges associated with it, as well as solutions.
A member of the state-based Skills Tech Australia Council, prior to that appointment, O’Phee was the first woman vice chairman appointed to the CVIAQ board.
With a hands on role in the company, Sharon is at home in the manufacturing or repairs factory or mentoring administration staff.
Charlton Brown Chief Executive
Kay Ganley
The training college has been on a growth curve since buying Charlton Brown Australia Nanny College in 1995.
With the guiding principle of ‘making a difference in people’s lives’, Kay’s business has trained thousands of students both at home and internationally.
Kay develops and drives the strategic direction and product development and ensures continuous improvement across the business.
Charlton Brown is now considered an international leader in community services education and nanny placement and has recently opened centres in the Philippines and Malaysia.
In 2007 Charlton Brown won the Queensland 400 Rising Star award for the State’s leading private businesses and was also named the winner of Australia’s CEO Challenge: The Race, for her contribution among CEOs for promoting greater understanding of domestic violence.
Director of Industry Capability with Queensland Transport
Louise Perram-Fisk
In just two years, Louise has taken a brief with little direction and only temporary funding, to a core departmental branch with permanent funding, 12 staff and over 600 active industry partners.
Charged with the challenge of conquering the skills and labour issues in Queensland’s transport and logistics industry, Louise has developed and implemented programs including an ‘adopt a school’ program linking industry with schools as well as programs targeting women and mature age workers.
She has also delivered programs empowering industry groups to influence positive changes.
With no precedence, Louise has taken her high achieving attitude forward with outstanding results.
Principal of Journey Family Lawyers
Lynette Ann Galvin
Managing three offices in Brisbane, Pine Rivers and Rockhampton her vision is to make family law accessible to those who may not qualify for legal aid, but also cannot afford expensive legal cases.
Lynette served as a Queensland Law Society Councilor from July 2005 to July 2007, but decided not to stand for re-election, focusing instead on her rapidly-expanding business.
Work-life balance is particularly important for Lynette, who plans to retire in 2010 to concentrate on consultation and legal writing.
However, far from winding down in the face of this impending retirement, Lynette plans to establish two or three more East Coast offices before she bows out.
Core Architecture’s
Caroline Treacy.
In just six years, Caroline has taken CORE Architecture from a traditional outfit turning over $430,000 annually, to a progressive firm with $5 million in turnover and a team of 50 staff.
Since July 2007, Caroline has doubled the company in size, renamed the firm, shifted share ownership and Board composition, and kicked off a strong new company profile. Her aim is to ensure CORE is the most obvious and reliable choice in commercial and institutional Queensland architecture by 2012.
Caroline’s specialty lies in educational and aged care facilities, and she is involved in a number of community and industry initiatives.
Director of Charm Health
Janine Garret
"Professor Julie Campbell's passion, drive and determination for learning and teaching the wonders of science is second to none. The Director of the Centre for Research in Vascular Biology at the University of Queensland, and Director of the Wesley Research Institute at the Wesley Hospital is an official "Queensland Great", and is relentless in her drive to teach peers and students the value of science research."