23/11/99
Relationships Australia’s Build Better Country Relationships program tonight won the 1999 Community Services Industry Award in the Support of Rural and Remote Communities category.
Relationships Australia, 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.
“Relationships Australia has taken an innovative approach to help couples in rural and remote areas of Western Australia solve relationship difficulties, particularly with its use of media and the Internet,” Mrs Parker said.
“As a result of this, it has been able to help couples develop skills needed to achieve better relationships and prevent relationship breakdowns.”
The Build Better Country Relationships program targeted couples aged 20 to 35 years living in the Pilbara and South West regions of Western Australia, where family pressures are often heightened by the remoteness of life in country towns.
As well as its media campaign, Relationships Australia ran education seminars and courses, providing people with information and skills on a range of issues including communication, living in a step family, self esteem and work.
In announcing the nine winners of the 1999 Community Services Industry Awards, Mrs Parker paid tribute to the people who devote their working lives and energies to improving the lives of all Western Australians.
“Western Australia 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,” said Mrs Parker.
“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
