June 20, 2022
This year’s employees from South Burnett CTC decided to go back to basics at their annual day … and help the community even more!
The 120-or-so workers from the not-for-profit organisation decided to put their cumulative efforts towards a working bee to help community groups rather than just listen to a guest speaker or play games.
Some sanded parts of the Wondai Sportsground grandstand, others worked on the children’s playground at the nearby Wondai Bowls Club while some packed “survival kits” for the homeless.
The employees’ annual CTC Day provides an opportunity for staff members to reflect on the past 12 months, get to know each other better and recognise the efforts of their colleagues.
CEO Nina Temperton admitted the past 12 months were “not one of the easiest” in the history of the organisation with personal losses, sickness, key staff members Esther Ross and Janet Champney retiring, and all the difficulties caused by COVID-19.
“But you have done fantastic work,” she told the employees, who gathered in the Lions Pavilion for lunch and team-building activities after their working bee.
Mrs Temperton praised the “ingenuity, flexibility and courage” they had displayed while providing their services.
“You are awesome!” she said.
Service awards and small presents were presented to employees who had clocked up five or 10 years’ service (see below).
Team awards, chosen by their peers, recognised staff members from each CTC section (see below).
As well, two special awards were presented.
The Howard Leisemann STAR Award – “Service, Teamwork, Attitude and Reliability” – is named in honour of former CTC chairman Howard Leisemann who led the organisation for more than 25 years. It recognises someone who has consistently demonstrated STAR qualities over a long period.
This year’s award was presented to CTC human resources manager Melinda Bradford who had to step up at short notice to fill gaps at CTC HQ.
The second special award, the John Quatermass Award, is named in honour of the late “JQ”, a founding member of CTC and former chairman and patron. It is not awarded every year and is only presented to someone who has done something “extra special”.
Mrs Temperton presented the JQ Award to domestic violence court support worker Melita Menere.
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Full list of 2022 Award Recipients
Team Awards (nominated by workmates):
- Gumnut Place – Brittany Scott
- Partners In Foster Care – Tori Paola
- Youth & Family Services Kingaroy – Kylie Swain
- Connections – Robyn Simpson
- Disability Services – Emma Zoldak
- Residential – Jamie Johannesson
- Headquarters – Amanda Cullen
Special Awards:
- Howard Leisemann STAR Award – Melinda Bradford
- John Quatermass Award – Melita Menere
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5 Year Service Awards
Other CTC employees to have served five years are Sandy Nebe, Brittany Scott and Deb Yesberg.
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10 Year Service Awards
The other CTC employee to have served 10 years is Johnny Magro.
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Special Awards
Related articles:
- CTC Reflects On A Challenging Year (2021)
- South Burnett CTC Says ‘Thank You’ (2020)
- CTC Looks Back On Another Year (2019)
- CTC Honours Its Workers (2018)
- CTC Celebrates Another Big Year (2017)
- Gumnut Place Wins National Award (2016)
- CTC Hands Out Awards (2015)
- 30 Years Of Community Service (2013)
Where are the client-nominated awards? Recently a family member has gone through a difficult medical procedure. Barb O’Hanlon did a fantastic job organising the most wonderful team of support workers. All of them worthy of recognition for a job well done
That’s exactly what I said when giving out the awards Bruce! All CTC staff try their hardest to provide great services but the intra-team voting means that only the person with the most votes will be awarded each year. They get a plaque and a box of chocolates (which they must share with their team!).
Thank you for your deserved praise of Barb and her team – and we will consider how we could organise a client-nominated award in future! Great idea!