Equality vital for business: Geldof; Diversity award winners announced
14 November 2008 3:05pm
Human rights icon Sir Bob Geldof has warned the Australian business community that if businesses are to "grow" throughout the economic crisis they must maintain diversity and equality for all as a priority.
Diversity is "critical", Geldof said, speaking at the Diversity@Work Awards in Melbourne last night.
"Different systems of thought and behaviour add to the dynamism of any company."
And employers should be proactive, Geldof added, in ensuring that the financial crisis doesn't develop into a human one.
More than 100 nominations across 19 categories were received for this year's Diversity@Work Awards, which aim not only to honour individuals and organisations that encourage diversity and inclusion in the workplace, but to identify benchmarks to which other organisations can aspire.
Last night's major Diversity Champion Awards went to:
Large business - University of Western Sydney.
The university was recognised for the ongoing success of its Workforce Diversity Strategy which it implemented in 2001.
The strategy incorporates a number of initiatives, including a range of support services, to increase the employment participation of Indigenous Australians, people from culturally and diverse backgrounds and people with a disability;
Small-to-medium business - Traditional Credit Union (NT).
Traditional Credit Union was established by Northern Territory Indigenous elders to provide sufficient banking and financial services to the Indigenous community while respecting and valuing their cultural heritage.
The credit union has also developed into a major provider of employment and training for Indigenous Australians; and
Individual - Elleni Bereded-Samuel, Victoria University.
Bereded-Samuel was recognised for her work as the community engagement officer at Victoria University.
She is the Commissioner of the Victorian Multicultural Commission, has been appointed to the Royal Womens Hospital board of directors and has received a number of citations for her work with culturally and linguistically diverse Australians.
In addition, she has recently been selected as one of 13 Victorian women who made significant contributions to civic and community life in Victoria over the last 100 years.
Other winners
Awards for the employment and inclusion of a number of cultural and social groups by small-to-medium and large businesses were also announced in eight specific categories. The groups and winners were:
Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Australians - Campbell Page (small); and Brisbane City Council (large);
Indigenous Australians - Traditional Credit Union (small); and Australia Post (large);
Mature Age Workers - Astro Alloys (Aust) Pty Ltd, and Adage (joint small winners)
People with a Disablity - Master Instruments (small); and Peregrine Corporation (large);
Recognising youth as the future - AISEC Australia (small); and Swinburne University of Technology (large);
Women in leadership - Vedior Asia Pacific (small); and Sydney Water (large);
Work Life Balance - ConnectEast (small); and Sydney Water (large); and
Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender and Intersex - IBM (large).
