October 19, 2020
The crew members from Cherbourg Aboriginal Shire Council’s Containers For Change recycling depots in Cherbourg and Kingaroy are celebrating after they picked up two major awards on Friday night.
The COEX Change Makers Awards, hosted by Queensland Safety Ambassador Shane Webcke, were held virtually and livestreamed on YouTube and Facebook.
They aimed to shine a spotlight on the organisations creating a positive change through the Containers for Change scheme.
Finalists included both small and large businesses from across Queensland.
Cherbourg Council was presented with the Sustainability Award in the Small to Medium Business category.
“Sustainability is more than action taken by a business to protect our planet, ” Shane said.
“It is also about the business practices put in place to ensure the longevity of the business itself.”
The other nominees for this award were Envirobank, Tomra Recycling Centre and TrueValue Hardware, Blackall.
“Our winner is proof that having the right systems and processes in place and investing in the ongoing education of team members is a surefire recipe for success,” Shane said.
Christine Beresford, manager of Cherbourg’s Containers For Change refund point in Kingaroy, won the major award on the night – the inaugural Changemaker Of The Year award.
This award was announced by Environment Minister Leeanne Enoch.
“The Changemaker Of The Year is an individual whose dedication, determination and drive sets them apart from the many outstanding men and women who operate Containers For Change refund points across Queensland,” Minister Enoch said.
“This individual has been recognised for their commitment to continual improvement for both themselves and their Containers For Change refund point.
“Their perpetually positive attitude has won this individual the admiration of both customers and team members alike.”
Christine told southburnett.com.au she was proud but stunned to have won the award, and the reality had not yet set in.
She has been managing the Kingaroy refund point since it opened almost 12 months ago.
Cherbourg Council’s Economic and Community Development Manager Sean Nicholson said the award wins were very exciting.
He said it was awesome that COEX was recognising the grassroots people that make the container refund scheme work.
“We are very proud of our staff – Andrew (Beckett) and Chrissie (Beresford) and their teams – for the work they do,” Sean said.
He said the Kingaroy depot would be expanding from November 1 to also include the shed at the front of the complex where they are located in Kingaroy Street.
“We really want to grow our container exchange business,” he said.
