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Written by The Honourable Peter Beattie |
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Monday , 17 July 2006 |
Premier Peter Beattie today announced the finalists in the 2006 Queensland Reconciliation Awards for Business.
Through the Awards the Queensland Government showcases the benefits of reconciliation and acknowledges the great work of Queensland businesses in striving for a better and smarter future.
"From artists, dance groups and cultural centres to construction companies, media organisations and international hotel groups, all nominations have shared a strong commitment to the reconciliation process," Mr Beattie said.
"The Awards provide us with an opportunity to acknowledge these contributions and congratulate businesses for their leadership."
The finalists for the 2006 Reconciliation Awards for Business are:
1. EMERGING BUSINESS CATEGORY - proudly supported by Zinifex Limited.
-Western Cape Earthmoving operates from Weipa on the western coast of Cape York Peninsula. The business, which is governed by Indigenous directors and employs a workforce of Indigenous and non-Indigenous workers, has successfully achieved a competitive position within an industry traditionally dominated by non-Indigenous companies.
-Northern Project Contracting is a rock crushing and earthmoving business operating out of the Zinifex Century Mine 300km north-west of MountIsa. The business involves an equal-share joint venture between the Waanyi Nations Aboriginal Corporation (WNAC) and Exactmix, and eventually aims to transfer full ownership over to the WNAC.
-Riverlife Mirrabooka formed a partnership with the Nunukul Yuggera Yugimbir Nugi Aboriginal Dance Troupe in 2005 and has delivered a sustainable Aboriginal tourism product through exhibiting the rich Indigenous culture, customs, art and heritage of the region.
-Guurrbi Tours is a tour business operating out of Cooktown in North Queensland. Tours are led by a Nugal-warra Elder who guides guests on a journey to his ancestral rock art sites outside of Cooktown. Guurbii Tours is also actively involved in supporting the development of Indigenous business in the area and increasing understanding between Indigenous and non-Indigenous.
2. EMPLOYMENT CATEGORY - proudly supported by the Department of Public Works.
-Sea World Nara Resort is a theme park resort situated on Queensland's Gold Coast. The resort has displayed a strong commitment to Indigenous recruitment and employment through undertaking the Indigenous School Based Traineeship Program.
-East Coast Apprenticeships is an incorporated not-for-profit community organisation which has placed over 200 Indigenous people into employment throughout Queensland.
-Accor Asia Pacific is Australia's largest hotel group operating 17 hotels and resorts across Queensland. Accor has implemented an Indigenous Employment program to address the under representation of Indigenous people in the tourism industry.
-Lawn Hill and Riversleigh Pastoral Holding Company was formed in 1999 following the Gulf Communities Agreement. The company has initiated a number of training programs for Aboriginal youth including an Indigenous Cattle Drive in 2004.
-Blue Pacific Hotel in BribieIsland on Queensland's SunshineCoast has been a family owned business since 1966 and has committed itself to Indigenous issues through supporting the local Aboriginal community in cultural events and employment.
3. JOINT VENTURES CATEGORY - proudly supported by the Department of Main Roads.
-Sunshine Coast Institute of TAFE and Bush TV: The partnership formed between Bush TV, a privately owned television company, and Sunshine Coast Institute of TAFE has delivered a nationally accredited training program and brought further education and training opportunities to young Indigenous people from across regional Queensland.
-Burdekin Shire Council and Gudjuda Reference Group Aboriginal Corporation: Through a joint collaboration, Burdekin Shire Council and Gudjuda Reference Group Aboriginal Corporation have created a vibrant cultural centre to support participation by Indigenous members and encourage non-Indigenous visitors to understand and appreciate Indigenous culture.
-Lawn Hill and Riversleigh Pastoral Holding Company: (Refer to Employment category)
-The Observer (Gladstone Newspaper Company) and Gladstone NAIDOC Committee: The Observer, a daily newspaper in North Queensland, formed a partnership with the Gladstone NAIDOC organising committee and has successfully facilitated the promotion of NAIDOC week.
From the above three Award categories, the prestigious Premier's Reconciliation Award for Business will be presented to the business which best reflects an outstanding contribution towards reconciliation. The finalists for this category are:
-Riverlife Mirrabooka - finalist in the Emerging Business category.
-Lawn Hill and Riversleigh Pastoral Holding Company - finalist in the Employment and Joint Ventures categories.
-Northern Project Contracting - finalist in the Emerging Business category.
Award winners will be announced by Minster for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Policy John Mickel and Minister for Communities, Disability Services and Seniors Warren Pitt MP at a ceremony next Thursday, July 27, at the Speaker's Green, Parliament House from 5.30pm.
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