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Council employee wins Diversity Award Latrobe City’s Indigenous Employment Development Coordinator, Joanne Brunt has won the Victorian Excellence and Leadership in Diversity Award in the Employer of Indigenous Australians category. By Latrobe City - 22nd May 2003 - Back to News Latrobe City’s Indigenous Employment Development Coordinator, Joanne Brunt has won the Victorian Excellence and Leadership in Diversity Award in the Employer of Indigenous Australians category. Ms Brunt was presented with her award at the annual gala dinner held on Thursday 15 May, at Zinc in Federation Square.
Latrobe City’s Chief Executive Officer, Richard Hancock, said that the award was in recognition of Ms Brunt’s commitment to Latrobe City’s Indigenous Employment Program.
"I am delighted that Joanne’s professional attitude and demonstrated commitment to the Indigenous Employment Program has been recognised. This award acknowledges how Joanne’s input has been instrumental in the success of this Program," Mr Hancock said.
"Joanne is widely regarded amongst the local Indigenous community as a role model and truly deserves this award," Mr Hancock added.
The Victorian Excellence and Leadership in Diversity Awards are a celebration of diversity in the workplace. The philosophy is to demonstrate leadership and spotlight initiatives in the workforce in order to inspire employers. There were three categories for employers who have developed diversity strategies: inclusion of Indigenous Australians, Mature Age Workers and People with Disabilities.
Latrobe City Mayor, Councillor Graeme Middlemiss said that Latrobe City’s Indigenous Employment Program had attracted recognition by government departments and other private organisations.
"The success of the Program must be attributed to the people who are involved in running it. Joanne has been the driving force behind the strategy. It has evolved and developed since its inception and is now considered something of a best practice model for Indigenous employment," Cr Middlemiss said.
Cr Middlemiss said Latrobe City had been at the forefront of indigenous issues as a municipal council, pursuing a consultation process between indigenous and non indigenous citizens, Councillors, and staff, that in turn had led to Latrobe City’s Statement of Commitment to indigenous people, and its Statement of Reconciliation.
"Latrobe’s indigenous employment program is a further step along the path we have chosen, that demonstrates Council’s determination to work with the Braiakaulung Committee and the indigenous community, and fulfil the objectives and obligations outlined in Latrobe’s Statement of Commitment," Cr Middlemiss said.
Ms Brunt said that she was pleased to have won the Award but acknowledged that the Council’s policy was a clear commitment to the Indigenous population of the region.
"My work on this project has been rewarding. I feel that having made this commitment, Council has given me the framework to empower the Indigenous community and give them access to opportunities that didn’t exist before. More work needs to be done but we have taken many positive steps in the right direction.
"This Award means a lot to me, but the success of the Program is more important still," Ms Brunt said.
Source: www.gippsland.com Published by: news@gippsland.com
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