2002 Prime Minister’s Community Business Partnership Award Winners – WA

I want to congratulate the Midland Brick Company and Hills Community Support Group who have won the WA State Award in the Large Business Category of the 2002 Prime Minister’s Award for Excellence in Community Business Partnerships.

The partnership’s work for unemployed young people and people with a disability is an outstanding example of what organisations can achieve for their communities by working together.

Midland, a subsidiary of the Boral Group, is the largest employer in Perth’s eastern metropolitan region, and Hills Community Support Group has been working with marginalised people since 1983.

By pooling their resources, expertise and community spirit, the two organisations have developed a range of programs supporting at-risk groups in the community.

Achievements of the partnership include; the ‘Job Works’ project which provides a hand-up to disadvantaged young people; Centenary House, a supportive environment for the frail aged and their carers; and two community houses which give people with disabilities opportunities to develop new skills.

This year’s Awards have attracted hundreds of nominations from around the country, demonstrating that the partnership spirit remains strong across Australian communities and the business sector.

The Prime Minister’s Awards recognise the positive opportunities that such partnerships create, and their contribution to building stronger communities through shared commitment, energy and creativity.

This Western Australian partnership will now be judged against other State and Territory winners for the National Large Business Category Award to be announced at Parliament House in Canberra on 11 December.

National winners and Special Award winners will receive $10 000 towards the extension of their community project.