Media Release by The Hon Mal Brough MP

Queensland community business partnerships recognised

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

Minister for Families and Community Services, Mal Brough, today, on behalf of Prime Minister, the Hon John Howard, launched Partnerships Week while congratulating all five Queensland 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.

"As the winner of the Queensland Small Business Award, the partnership between Grinders and the Mackay North State High School is addressing the regional shortage of hospitality workers in Mackay by providing local students with training and practical experience from hospitality teachers and Grinders’ staff. Not only have students benefited but teachers at the school have gained practical experience in functions and catering, better enabling them to teach students in these areas.

"Each of the partnerships delivers 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 five Queensland 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 your local community. 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.

A list of the State winners is attached.

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

Summary of Winners

  • Winner: QLD Small Business Award
  • Business: Grinders Corporate Catering
  • Community Organisation: Mackay North State High School
    The partnership addresses the regional shortage of hospitality workers in Mackay, a centre which relies on tourism as one of its main sources of income. The partnership called catering4futures provides students with training from their Hospitality teachers and Grinders’ staff, both at the school and on-site at Grinders’ venues.
  • Winner: QLD Medium Business Award
  • Business: QM Properties Pty Ltd
  • Community Organisation: Wallum Action Group
    QM Properties is developing the Pacific Harbour Golf Course and County Club on Bribie Island. The site was a pine plantation for over 20 years and was in a heavily degraded state as all the native vegetation had been cleared. The Wallum Action Group provided up to 50 volunteers to work in partnership with QM to plan the rehabilitation of the site.
  • Judges’ Encouragement Award: QLD Medium Business Award
  • Business: Titanium Enterprises
  • Community Organisation: Caloundra Youth Focus Inc
    Caloundra Youth Focus is a local community organisation providing refuge to young people aged 15-21 who are homeless or at-risk of becoming homeless. Titanium Enterprises is a multi-disciplinary corporation based in Caloundra, which has provided financial assistance, subsidised recreational activities and hosted fundraising events for Caloundra Youth Focus.
  • Winner: QLD Large Business Award
  • Business: Powerlink Queensland
  • Community Organisation: Greening Lockyer Working Group
    This partnership runs projects in the Lockyer Valley. Legacy Projects is creating a visible change in the landscape and Environmental Stewardship Projects is tackling four major environmental issues – forest restoration, roadside remnant vegetation, wetland and riparian restoration, and salinity management on public lands.
  • Winner Judges’ Encouragement Award: QLD Large Business Award
  • Business: Suncorp Metway Limited
  • Community Organisation: Queensland Institute of Medical Research
    This partnership forms the basis of the Suncorp Skin Cancer Campaign (SSCC) established in September 2004, and has a major focus on promoting mass audience awareness and education about the issue of skin cancer in Queensland.