Media Release by The Hon Mal Brough MP

South Australia community business partnerships recognised

Three community business partnerships have been recognised for their ongoing commitment to the South Australian community as part of the 2006 Prime Minister’s Awards for Excellence in Community Business Partnership.

Minister for Families and Community Services, the Hon Mal Brough, on behalf of Prime Minister, the Hon John Howard, congratulated the three state winners for their commitment to strengthening their local communities.

"Partnerships can take on many forms and as a business you don’t need to sponsor a wing of a hospital to be involved. The Awards encompass the essence of community spirit with governments and businesses working together with communities for a stronger future," Mr Brough said.

"The winner of the Small Business Award for SA is the partnership between Arts Access SA, a peak organisation for arts and disability, and Governor Hindmarsh Hotel, one of Adelaide’s top live music venues. Established eleven years ago, Club Cool is the partnerships’ ongoing program held on the last Sunday of every month. It provides a smoke-free, friendly and integrated environment with a mix of people with a disability, their friends, families, carers and members of the broader public.

"Each of the partnerships deliver better outcomes in areas such as employment, disadvantaged youth, Indigenous communities, disabilities, health, education, personal development and the environment.

"With this week being National Community Business Partnerships Week, I congratulate all three state winners of the Prime Minister’s Awards for Excellence in Community Business Partnership and encourage others to reach out and help their community."

The Partnership Week events held around the country this week aim to recognise State winners, while raising awareness of the benefits of partnerships in local communities. If a business or community group are interested in forming a partnership and need practical advice or information, they should contact the Partnerships Secretariat on 1800 359 918 or visit The Prime Minister’s Community Business Partnership website.

Details of the state winners are attached.

2006 Prime Minister’s Awards for Excellence in Community Business Partnerships

Summary of Winners

  • Winner: SA Small Business Award
  • Business: Governor Hindmarsh Hotel
  • Community Organisation: Arts Access SA
    Arts Access SA is a peak organisation for arts and disability, and Governor Hindmarsh Hotel is one of Adelaide’s top live music venues. Established eleven years ago, Club Cool is the partnerships ongoing program held on the last Sunday of every month. It provides a smoke-free, friendly and integrated environment with a mix of people with a disability, their friends, families, carers and members of the broader public. Club Cool provides performance opportunities for musicians and artists with a disability along with establishing and building social contacts, personal confidence and promoting healthy lifestyles in a supportive network.
  • Winner: SA Medium Business Award
  • Business: Status Employment Services
  • Community Organisation: Kids Future Kids
    Kids Future Kids provides life and leadership skills to children and young adults 6-16 years from disadvantaged backgrounds through recreational camps. Status Employment Services has contributed time, energy, passion, brain power, professional skills and money to make Kids Future Kids a success. Kids Future Kids, in turn, provides professional skills in community development for Status staff volunteers, and improves staff morale and team building.
  • Winner: SA Large Business Award
  • Business: Adelaide Convention Centre
  • Community Organisation: Trinity College Senior School
    This partnership, established in 2001, involves the provision of work placements to students in year 11 and 12 who are undertaking vocational training pathways as part of the South Australian Certificate of Education. The initial focus of the partnership was on hospitality operations, however students are now placed in all areas of the Centre including technical and event planning. In the five years of the partnership the number of work placements provided to students has tripled in number.