23/11/99
Kalgoorlie’s Goldfields Suicide Prevention Group tonight won the 1999 Community Services Industry Award in the Community Support and Development category.
The Goldfields Suicide Prevention Group, and winners of eight other categories, received their awards from Family and Children’s Services Minister Rhonda Parker at a gala presentation dinner at Rendezvous Observation City Hotel.
“This group is an outstanding example of how an organisation has identified a need in the community and set about coming up with some real solutions,” Mrs Parker said.
“The volunteers who run this invaluable service have a simple aim - to reduce the number of suicides in the region through education and training.”
Mrs Parker said The Goldfields Suicide Prevention Group had worked towards reducing the myth in the Goldfields that it was ‘unmanly’ to talk about problems and depression.
“This is a unique community service which grew out of the real concern people in the Goldfields had for others in their community,” she said.
In announcing the nine winners of the 1999 Community Services Industry Awards, the Minister paid tribute to the people who devote their working lives and energies to improving the lives of all Western Australians.
“WA has a history as a community of people helping other people and the Community Services Industry Awards are a tangible commitment by this government to recognising this important work,” Mrs Parker said.
“Services to the community come in many different forms. In each city, in each town, in each community, services are set up and supported through the dedication of individuals, groups, organisations and businesses.
“In the five years that the awards have been presented we have seen services adapt and change, new services become established and innovative practices set up.
“The hallmark of a community is our ability to care for and support each other.”
The Minister said the awards had once again highlighted the wide range of services which are in place throughout Western Australia.
The winners in each category were:
Category 1 Focus on innovation
Centrecare Marriage and Family Service.
Category 2 Community support and development
Goldfields Suicide Prevention Group.
Category 3 Valuing cultural diversity
Yorganop Child Care Aboriginal Corporation (Child Placement Service).
Category 4 Industry support and development
Financial Counsellors’ Association of Western Australia (Inc).
Category 5 Support of remote and rural communities
Relationships Australia’s Build Better Country Relationships Project.
Category 6 Management and leadership
Avon Youth Services Inc.
Category 7 Family friendly work practices
Department of Land Administration.
Category 8 Corporate commitment to the community
BankWest.
Category 9 Outstanding service by an individual
Marlene Jackamarra
Mrs Parker said the winners had come from a variety of organisations, ranging from large agencies working across the state to local services supporting and meeting local needs.
The Minister also thanked the sponsors of the 1999 Community Services Industry Awards Radio 882 6PR, The West Australian newspaper, The Lotteries Commission, Rendezvous Observation City Hotel, WIN Television, Australia Post, Ansett Australia, Staging Connections, SGIO Insurance Limited, StateWest Credit Society and Houghton Wine Company.
Media contact: Owen Cole 9481 7810
