Prime Ministers Work for the Dole Achievement Awards 2005
On Monday evening 19 June 2006, at a ceremony held at Parliament House, the seventh Prime Minister’s Work for the Dole Achievement Awards 2005 were presented by the then Minister for Workforce Participation, the Hon Dr Sharman Stone MP.
The Awards recognise the outstanding efforts and achievements of participants, supervisors, Community Work Coordinators, sponsors, hosts and communities involved in the Work for the Dole programme.
A total of 327 nominations were received in the categories of Most Outstanding Work for the Dole Participant, Most Outstanding Work for the Dole Supervisor and Best Work for the Dole Activity.
Winners of the Work for the Dole Achievement Awards 2005
Most Outstanding Work for the Dole Participant – Michael Anthony
Michael participated in the ‘Committed to Community’ activity in Mentone, Victoria, as Musical Director and Sound Technician on a theatre production for Mentone Old Time Theatre Society.
All the cast and crew thought very highly of Michael, commenting particularly on his dedication to the work and his ability to achieve successful outcomes.
Michael is working hard towards building a successful life and has commenced a certificate course in music at TAFE, using his training credits with a view to commencing a Bachelor of Applied Music Degree and fulfilling his dream of becoming a music and music history teacher.
With his newfound confidence, Michael is now contributing to an education programme ‘Spanning the City’, presenting talks to high school students on his life experiences.
Most Outstanding Supervisor - Shiralee Dawkins
Shiralee supervises participants on the ‘Smorgasbord’ activity, a retail opportunity shop in Bendigo,Victoria, hosted by the Salvation Army Community Services.
Participants with higher levels of emotional or vocational issues and barriers to employment are often referred to Shiralee because of the quality of supervision she is able to offer.
Local businesses and the community have embraced the activity through donations and purchases. More than being just a successful and high profile retail venue within Bendigo, the shop has also become a social centre for the community.
Best Overall Work for the Dole Activity
Finalist of Best Natural and/or Cultural Heritage Activity
‘Burdekin Cultural Bonanza’ located at Ayr, Northern Queensland, provides support to the Gudjuda Reference Group Aboriginal Corporation in the maintenance and restoration of burial sites, rock art sites and walking tracks in the Burdekin region.
Participants gained a diverse range of skills in administration and construction and several gained employment. The team also gained knowledge of the importance of the area to the Indigenous community and improved their communication and team skills.
Finalists in the Awards also included
In the category of Most Outstanding Work for the Dole Participant 2005
- Bianca Bond, ‘The First Step’ activity, Bonnyrigg, NSW. During this activity Bianca, a single mother of two young children, mastered a complex computer system and developed superior communication skills. She is currently employed with the Department of Housing, Bonnyrigg.
- Warren Suradi, ‘Hydro Play’ activity, Darwin, Northern Territory. A mature aged job seeker, Warren quickly found meaning and purpose in participating in this Work for the Dole activity. He has a new and positive direction in his life and is seeking to give that same direction to other members of local Indigenous communities. He continues his commitment to Work for the Dole through his work as a supervisor.
In the category of Most Outstanding Work for the Dole Supervisor 2005
- Sean Teer, ‘Servicing Aged Care and Schools in the Peninsula’ activity, Mornington Peninsula, Victoria. Sean works with a large number of host organisations accommodating 23 participants in an area covering 850 square kilometres. It is thanks to his hard work and dedication that many participants have been placed in employment. The activities Sean supervises offer a combination of skills resulting in successful work experience outcomes for participants.
- Suzanne Van Rooy, ‘Cooking for the Community’, Dandenong, Victoria. Suzanne’s hospitality and business experience enabled the participants to gain practical skills in the hospitality industry. Suzanne played a crucial role in developing the concept of Cooking for the Community and many of the participants have gained employment in the hospitality industry.
Best Caring for People Activity
The participants of the ‘Community Partnership – Team WNW’ from Ulverstone, Tasmania, successfully designed and built a ‘Dementia Sensory Area’ for dementia sufferers. Participants experienced a sense of pride from this activity and enjoyed a wealth of skills development. The activity was eagerly received by nursing patients and provided a safe place for dementia sufferers.
Best Community Activity
The ‘Building Athol Park Community Centre’ activity in Athol Park, South Australia, was born out of a need to provide a safe place for residents in times of crisis and to provide a venue to deliver a range of programmes and activities. Participants gained building and landscaping skills and the community now has access to appropriate services.
‘Shoalhaven Creative Re-use Action Project’ (SCRAP Shop) at Bomaderry, NSW, is a place where businesses and communities are working together to create new ideas and products from discarded materials. Before ‘SCRAP’ Shop there was no facility for collecting re-usable materials except for the tip.
Many participants have gained employment and some have remained as volunteers at the ‘SCRAP’ shop.
WfD Achievement Awards 2005 Booklet – ‘Making a Start’
The booklet features participants, supervisors and activities which have been recognised by a Work for the Dole Achievement Award. The awards booklet has been expanded to include information for organisations on how to become sponsors and hosts of Work for the Dole activities and some additional background on how the Awards work.