2003 Winners
Employer of People with a Disability
Outstanding Innovation by an Individual
Jamie Moore - Arail Services
Arail Services was a one-man business that specialised in building maintenance. Jamie Moore took on a young person with a learning disability as a carpentry apprentice, despite the increased workload that resulted. Through dedication and persistence, Jamie has provided an opportunity for someone who might have otherwise had difficulty in finding work and provided skills in work and life for a young person in need.
Outstanding Achievement - Less than 100 Employees
Pentland Furniture Company
For the second year in a row, Pentland Furniture has won an outstanding achievement award for its successful policy of employing people who have a disability. Two thirds of Pentland's workers are people with a disability and all employees undertake formal training as part of their job. This not only improves the viability of the business, it has increased the level of job satisfaction and cohesiveness of their workforce. It is a strategy that is paying off: last year sales were up 35%.
Special Certificate
St. Mary's Coptic Orthodox College
Outstanding Achievement - 100 to 1000 Employees
Elynwood Pty Ltd
Elynwood is a cleaning services company that employs more than 140 people with disabilities. It is company policy to treat all employees equally and to ensure they are all inducted, trained and equipped to do their job to the highest standard. Working with CRS Australia, they have devised a specially designed training package to ensure all employees with a disability are given the opportunity to make the most of their skills. The end result has been a more motivated and efficient workforce.
Outstanding Achievement - More than 1000 Employees
IBM Australia
IBM sets the benchmark for large organisations seeking to make a commitment to integrating people with a wide range of abilities into their workforce. A culture of inclusion is a fundamental part of its management practices. Their initiatives are numerous, covering all aspects of the organisation, including recruitment policies, the quality of the work environment, the culture within the workplace, and forging links with the community.
Outstanding Achievement - More than 1000 Employees
National Australia Bank
The National's disability program has a high level of visibility. It has made sure that all stakeholders are aware of its commitment to maximising employment opportunities and prospects for development for people with disabilities. It has implemented a Disability Employment Program designed to foster a cultural change within the organisation and to create employment and promotion opportunities for people with a disability at all levels within the National. The program is clearly working. Since it began, the National has employed 31 people with a disability.
Employer of Indigenous Australians
Outstanding Innovation by an Individual
Joanne Brunt - Latrobe City Council
Joanne Brunt is the Indigenous Employment Coordinator with Latrobe City Council. Under her guidance, Latrobe City Council has become the first council in its region to embrace a targeted Indigenous employment strategy. Its success has been largely due to Joanne's professionalism and tenacity, and she has also been active in encouraging other organisations to implement their own strategies.
Outstanding Achievement
Less than 100 Employees
VACSAL and VECCI
The Victorian Aboriginal Community Services Association Limited (VACSAL) and the Victorian Employers' Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VECCI) have been working together for over two years to improve employment outcomes for Indigenous Australians. Thanks to their efforts, more than 50 job seekers have gained employment, and more than 100 have been assisted in writing resumes and preparing for job interviews.
Outstanding Achievement - 100 to 1000 Employees
Museum Victoria
18% of the staff at Museum Victoria is Indigenous and the Bunjilaka Centre at the Museum is a world class facility for the education and exposition of Indigenous culture and heritage. The centre is open to the public, but is also used to educate all Museum Victoria staff in Indigenous issues.
Outstanding Achievement - More than 1000 Employees
Department of Justice
Since the Aboriginal Justice Agreement was signed in 2000, 36 Indigenous staff have been employed by the Department of Justice, 19 in the last 12 months. The Department has implemented the Koori Recruitment and Career Development Strategy (KRCDS). This has involved the creation of an Indigenous Staff Support Network, a mentoring program and Cultural Awareness Training. In addition, numerous Koori Tertiary Scholarships have been offered to Department employees and to the wider community.
Employer of Mature Age Workers
Outstanding Innovation by an Individual
Patrick McCarthy - Australia Post
Patrick McCarthy is Executive National Manager, Organisation Development and Change, at Australia Post. Patrick has identified the sound use of the knowledge and skills of mature age workers as a critical factor in the future success of Australian businesses, and Australia Post in particular. He has commissioned two internal studies into ageing and work in Australia Post and is committed to introducing policies to increase the range of employment and development opportunities for employees in this critical demographic.
Outstanding Innovation by an Organisation
The Office of Public Employment & the Equal Opportunity Commission Victoria
In 2002, the Office of Public Employment commissioned a major study into the age profile of employees in the Victorian Public Service and associated agencies. It has published several policy initiatives in response. In collaboration with the EEO Commission, the Office of Public Employment is dedicated to creating more flexible work options and in doing so "keeping mature age employees in meaningful employment for longer periods".