QUEENSLAND
Queensland Community Achievement Awards
"Being nominated and then going on to win a 2019 Queensland Community Achievement Award was a special experience in so many ways. Firstly, I was invited into a forum of amazing people that do so much for community and listening to their stories and passion was a humbling as well as uplifting experience which provided me a view of the huge amount of work and caring that goes into our community on a continuous basis. Secondly, It was wonderful to see an award body that seeks out these stories and recognizes so many for what they do and I enjoyed the way the award process is celebrated. Thirdly, the awards are not just about the awardee; it is also a thankyou and celebration with the family and support that is critical for every nominated person. In my case special thanks to my wife Mary, my nominator Barry Searle and the Pullenvale Community Award sponsor, Cr. Kate Richards."
Stuart Stoddart
2019 Pullenvale Ward Outstanding Achievement Award Winner
"Komatsu Mining Corp. as a business and in Rockhampton is dedicate to the Zero Harm philosophy, both in the workplace and in our home life. When I heard that there was a Safety award as part of the Queensland Community Achievement Awards, I thought that this would be the perfect platform to show off the fantastic work our employees do to proactively manage risk in the workplace. Two of our dedicated Electronic Centre of Excellence employees, Daniel Visser and Robert McKenzie (a third year apprentice at the time of the awards) identified a four hundred and fifteen (415) volt electrical hazard that had the potential to cause significant harm to our employees from exposure to live conductors. When I was presented with their proposed solution to eliminate the risk of injury, I was very excited and new that they had developed something that deserved recognition. So, I set about nominating them for the Safety component of the Queensland Community Achievement Awards. And the rest is history.
While I personally had no part in the development of the prize winning solution, it was very satisfying to be able to guide the guys on a journey to gain the recognition they deserved for their proactive approach to Health and Safety in the workplace and Komatsu’s journey toward Zero Harm. I felt very proud of Dan and Rob and it was great to showcase their achievement at such a prestigious award ceremony
I think winning the Synaco Safety Award as part of the overall Queensland Community Achievement Awards will go a long way to highlighting Komatsu’s dedication to Workplace Health and Safety and the wellbeing of everyone working at and visiting our worksites. Winning also provides additional positive exposure to customers, prospective customers and the community in general, therefore increasing the potential for growth and keeping the Komatsu brand moving >FORWARD."
Greg May, Komatsu Mining Corp. Group
2019 Synaco Safety Award Winner
"Last year we took part in the 2019 Queensland Community Achievement Awards. We were fortunate to be awarded the award for Prime Super Employer Excellence in Aged Care Award. In a time where there has been a lot of negative press regarding aged care it was wonderful to be able to share some positive news with our staff, residents and families. They were all proud of the achievement which was lovely. We were pleasantly surprised that the television recognition resulted in an increase of people wanting to go on our waiting list, they would mention that they noticed we had received an award. I would like to thank all the sponsors that support these awards and be assured they do make a difference to those involved."
Sharon Wilkinson, Peninsula Palms
2019 Prime Super Excellence in Aged Care Award Winner
"Running a small business means you rarely have time to stop and reflect on your accomplishments- the awards was a fantastic opportunity to do this and celebrate with all the other finalists. Winning the QCAA award was great recognition of what Strait Support has achieved. With such a broad range of categories, it was a great networking event to meet and talk to people from all industries from all over Queensland. “
Shane Lui, Strait Support
2019 Queensland Government Small Business Achievement Award
"Winning the Community Hero award was such an amazing experience. Not only was it an honour to be nominated; but to win meant the absolute world to me.
The Gala dinner was brilliant! To be surrounded by so many amazing people, including my loved ones, made it a night to remember.
There are people who work so tirelessly for their community - if you know someone, recognise their effort by nominating them."
Selena Wool
2017 Australia Pacific LNG Community Hero Award Winner
"It has been an honor to be recognized at the Queensland Community Achievement awards over the last 2 years as a nominee for Community Group of the year in 2016 and it was a wonderful surprise to have been nominated again and to have won this award in 2017. The Community Achievement awards allows the Community to nominate Organisations and individuals in their community who have gone above and beyond to make a difference in the lives of others. To be recognized at such a high level, is very humbling and we encourage others to nominate those in their State for the work that they are doing."
The Umbrella Network
2017 Awards Australia Community Group of the Year Award Winner
"I had a fantastic time and really enjoyed the evening attending the Community Achievement Awards Gala Presentation Dinner on Saturday night 18th November.
Could you please pass on my personal Congratulations and that of my Great Club The Australian Budgerigar Society Inc. to the whole team especially Stephanie, Geoff and Felicity for all the hard work behind the scenes in organising such an amazing evening in Brisbane but more so throughout Australia, and for all the wonderful people, clubs and groups that are made feel important and special from there so dedicated commitment to ensuring a cause, a belief, a meaning is so important an inspirational that “Everyone” now understands just how important our great country Australia is proven to be by the efforts of Australians coming together to contribute to an idea or a thought to make our country the great place it is today within our communities.
Awards Australia you make us all feel so Proud."
Wayne Robinson - The Australian Budgerigar Society Inc.
2017 Awards Australia Community Group of the Year Award nominee
“We were elated and overwhelmed to have won the Prime Super Community Group of the Year Award. The media attention has been great, and we have received a lot of thanks and positive feedback from local community members and businesses. The Gala Presentation Dinner was amazing, great food, great entertainment, wonderful event and the venue was stunning.
The Braking the Cycle program is not just for me, it is for all the mentors who volunteer their time whether it is 1 hour a week or 4 hours a week. Supervising driving lessons can be at times stressful and the mentors are understanding and patient with each learner. This program is helping learner drivers of all ages locally and nationally to achieve personal goals. Self-confidence, self-esteem and self-worth are what I see change most in the learners who sign up for Braking the Cycle. I would have to say winning this award is one of my greatest highlights in my role as Community Development Office since 2013. Arrow Energy and Queensland Police Citizens Youth Welfare Association were also very excited when we announced that we had won.
We have had an abundant support, kind and encouraging words from the community. We acquired our 100th licence this year which is a wonderful achievement for our Braking the Cycle Program in Dalby. I have already recommended these Awards to other businesses and organisations within our community. Thank you to the generosity of all the sponsors, the evening was very successful. To be in the same room with people who show dedication and determination, is a truly humbling experience.”
Dalby PCYC Braking the Cycle
2016 Prime Super Community Group of the Year Award Winner
"I was ecstatic to win the MOA Benchmarking Community Service in Aged Care Award. The response to me winning has been mind boggling, I feel almost famous and am so grateful to be part of this wonderful community that we call Gunderwonderland.
A massive Thankyou goes to everyone at our facility (including our residents that we love so much) it takes all to make our wheel turn so smoothly. A huge Thankyou to our CEO, for the nomination, board members for their constant support. To our dear friend Peta Sue for coming to support us. My understanding family. Our great bus driver!
To the Commonwealth Bank for the generous prize, Channel 7, Queensland Country Life and The Royal On Park Brisbane for the more than perfect night.
To all involved I hope you are as proud as we are to have been part of this fabulous event.
Good luck to everyone for 2017."
Rebecca Heitzmann, Kaloma Home For The Aged Goondiwindi
2016 MOA Benchmarking Community Service in Aged Care Award Winner
“Hive Haven was delighted to win the Trade and Career Achievement Award. Big thanks to the Commonwealth Bank for the prize money. It has been a life-line for us. We have been able to upgrade the native bee box (version 9) at our various trial sites eg. QUT University, Innovation Centre, Glasshouse Views Retirement Village, Caboolture Montessori School, Maleny Dairies and Australia Zoo.
Winning this award provided us with the validation that what we are doing is working and we felt appreciated by the wider community. We really enjoyed the Gala Presentation Dinner. The event was extremely well organised and went off without a hitch. We loved the finalist videos and learnt a lot about the work each and every one does. I felt very proud to be a Queenslander.
The media coverage of the Awards has been great. We’ve received lots of enquiries from people wanting to join the ‘bee super highway’ on the back of the win.
It has not been easy trying to get Hive Haven off the ground. Lots of people have donated their time to keep this project afloat. This was not a win for Hive Haven it was a win for Queensland. It’s been a wonderful experience thank you.”
Hive Haven
2016 Gladstone Printing Services Trade and Career Achievement Award Winner
"Winning the 2016 Access Community Services Cultural Diversity Award brought me a shower of blessings. First of all, it felt such an honour to accept the Award on behalf of the Western Downs Region, which has been my home for more than 3 years. Returning the love of the many welcoming locals in this noble way felt like the only worthy gesture possible from me, a Hungarian migrant. Secondly, the Conversations in English program is now an award-winning initiative, which has since boosted its capacities to reach out to more migrants than before. Besides the even more intensive support of our proud community, a number of new connections started to flourish, which also includes new people and organisations in power.
Nevertheless, the Award meant something truly special to me. Being a temporary resident for almost five years, the Award was the first official recognition of me as a person in Australia; my person, and not only a visa application ID. Getting this marvellous surprise at the luxurious and well-organised Awards Gala was like lighting a Sun in my heart. The Award even helped me to finally receive my so long awaited Permanent Resident visa, so I am living the time of my life! All this caused me to focus on one main goal: to serve Australia even more, whatever it takes. The Award and its heritage will always humble my heart and accompany me through the rest of my life. Thank you to the generous sponsors of the 2016 Queensland Regional Achievement & Community Awards; you caused a butterfly effect in the Western Downs Region!
Entering the Awards competition might mean a variety of things to different people. Whatever the reason, it is always worth going for it!
Zita Stark
2016 Access Community Services Cultural Diversity Award Winner
"When we applied for the awards, it gave us the chance to reflect on what we do, what we have done, our connection to community and how they are also a part of what we do. We took out time with the application, because it really made us think. Making it to the semi-finals (and then winning!) was a fantastic feeling - that others are valuing your efforts.
Winning the award brought not only a sense of pride to us, but also to our community. Although people in the street congratulated us (there was lots in the media), you could see they were really proud that our small community had also been recognised. That meant a lot to us. The generous sponsorship enabled us to implement some measures that will help us to address a variable climate – a huge step forward for our future."
Fiona, Broken Nose Vanilla
2015 CRT Agricultural Community Achiever Award Winner
"Winning and award in the Queensland Regional Achievement and Community Awards has been an awesome experience and given my business priceless exposure. The whole process helped me grow as a professional and also encouraged me to go out and do more. Since winning the award my business has continued to grow. I now work with twelve primary schools providing 600 children with access to free tennis. Most of these schools are relatively small but they are big on enthusiasm and without the service I offer most of these kids would never pick up a tennis racquet. I’m very excited to have been named in the Queensland Young Achievers Award and I’m sure my success in the QRACA helped my nomination as the calibre of finalists is incredible. Thank you to the organisers of the QRACA for providing a platform to recognise individuals that excel in their field. Winning one of your awards has been a highlight of my short career so far."
Travis Farinelli
2015 Gladstone Printing Services Trade and Career Achievement Award Winner
"Committee members of Mackay Recreational Fishers Alliance Inc, were excited when we were advised our nomination for the Environmental Award proudly sponsored by Peabody in last year’s prestigious Queensland Regional Achievement and Community Awards had progressed to the finalist list.We were ecstatic attending the awards dinner to find that Mackay Recreational Fishers Alliance was named the 2015 Winner.
The $2500 prize award has been put to good use having been invested in a sturdy 3m X 3m waterproof marquee, our committee members and angler education team are now decked out in sun smart long sleeve shirts proudly displaying our logo and our sponsor Peabody Energy. The marquee and shirts were mentioned at many committee meetings over the years as an urgent need but deemed a luxury.We appeal to all not for profit volunteer groups to nominate and receive due recognition for your community efforts."
Mackay Recreational Fishers Alliance
2015 Peabody Energy Environment and Landcare Award Winner
"I won the Regional Service Award for my fight for fair and affordable premiums. This was significant but winning the People’s Choice Award was special – it meant I wasn’t alone. Both awards have given me additional recognition and brought the cause to the attention of more people.
In the period from 2011 insurance premiums in North Queensland increased by 200-500%+. These excessive increases have caused mental, physical health and financial difficulties. They have led to Mortgagee in possession sales, a major reduction in property values, and bankruptcy.
We now have: Inquiries; projects paid for by Governments and insurance companies; a Northern Australia Insurance Premium Taskforce; new products on the market; properties assessed and resilience taken notice of; even app development to help with mitigation. Premiums are reducing. Believe in your cause, you’ll know when you’re winning when you stop getting standard letters!!”
Margaret Shaw
2015 Australia Pacific LNG Regional Service Award Winner