Onwards & Upwards. The 2011 Return to work Conference, Expo & Awards
Winners announced in Queensland's Return to work Awards
Queensland businesses and individuals have taken home top honours in the Q-COMP Return to work Awards for 2011, which recognise excellence in rehabilitation and return to work for injured workers
The winners were chosen from a competitive field of over 300 nominations from across Queensland and were personally congratulated by Q-COMP Chairperson Rachel Hunter during the awards ceremony.
The Return to work Awards is the only event in Queensland that celebrates the achievements of injured workers who get back to work, along with the employers, case managers, rehabilitation and return to work coordinators and health providers who work tirelessly to help them reach their goals.
Q-COMP CEO Elizabeth Woods says that the winners of the Return to work Awards 2011 are helping to build a strong return to work culture in Queensland.
"A positive return to work culture means that every Queensland worker can feel secure in the knowledge that if they are injured at work, they will be supported by their employer, and by the Queensland workers' compensation scheme as a whole."
"An injury at work can have devastating affects, and I have been so inspired by our finalists and winners in every category. The injured workers who reclaimed their lives, and the amazing organisations and individuals that support them in their journey back to work"
The winners, who received up to $2,000 in prize money, were announced at the ceremony last night as a highlight of Safe Work Australia Week which wraps up on Saturday 29 October.
The winners are:
Helen Creagh (Zillmere)
WINNER - Case Manager Achievement Award
Helping people is Helen's passion, and she loves her role as a
Case Manager for WorkCover Queensland, where she is instrumental in
getting injured workers back to work, and acts as a facilitator and
educator between employers, workers and health professionals.
Troy Elliott (Calamvale)
WINNER - Rehabilitation and Return to work Coordinator Achievement Award
Troy has worked to ensure that positive return to work values are part of the culture at his workplace, with toolbox talks every morning, comprehensive rehabilitation processes that promote a smooth return to work and Troy being a regular face at the job site.
Carlton United Brewers, Yatala Brewery (Yatala)
WINNER - Employer Achievement Award, small/medium employer
Producing a quarter of the nation's beer, the team at Carlton United Breweries, Yatala brewery believe that early intervention in a minor incident prevents a need for greater intervention in larger incidents later on. A positive return to work culture is supported by on-site physiotherapists, podiatrist and other rehabilitation services.
Watch Carlton United Breweries, Yatala Brewery's video.
SKILLED (Woolloongabba)
WINNER - Employer Achievement Award, large employer
Skilled has achieved outstanding results for rehabilitation and return to work within the challenging labour-hire industry. SKILLED promote the benefits of providing and funding on-site suitable duties to their clients to help ensure that employees get the best possible care.
Strive Occupational Rehabilitation (Milton)
WINNER - Health Provider Achievement Award, organisation
Strive specialises in early intervention and complex cases, and approaches these with the understanding that each case is different and there's more to a work related injury than just work outcomes.
Watch Strive Occupational Rehabilitation 's video.
Central Therapy (Emerald)
MERIT AWARD - Health Provider Achievement Award, Organisation
Based in Emerald, Central Therapy aims to offer a level of service to Central Queensland that is on par or better than that received in the metropolitan areas, and they are constantly striving to achieve this for the people in their community.
Watch Central Therapy 's video.
Dr Graeme Edwards (Brisbane)
WINNER - Health Provider Achievement Award,
Individual
Based on research and experience, Dr Edwards promotes positive return to work outcomes by training doctors and employers and demonstrating effective solutions to their rehabilitation problems.
Watch Dr Graeme Edwards' video.
Jacinta McCartin (Buddina)
WINNER - Health Provider Achievement Award, Individual
Occupational Therapist Jacinta owns her own practice, Coastal Rehab, where
she starts the rehabilitation process by getting to know her client well - understanding what brings them joy, their values, what motivates them to perform and what they fear helps to round out an understanding of how important work is to them and what part in the overall life picture it plays.
David Coles (Southport)
MERIT AWARD - Health Provider Achievement Award, Individual
Along with his patients' physical wellbeing, David also maintains a focus on their emotional and psychological health, and getting them back to work quickly, safely and predictably.
Gary Watson (Bungadoo)
WINNER - Injured Worker, New career
Gary had been a jackaroo on cattle properties for 20 years when a horse he was breaking reared and fell on him, dislocating both his shoulders. Unable to return to his physically demanding role, he was referred to Return to work assist who connected him with training to become an aged care worker, a job that allowed him to continue working in regional Queensland.
John Pegoraro (Home Hill)
WINNER - Injured Worker, Return to work
John was working as a rigger when his arm was crushed and foot was dislocated by a collapsing trough. When he was strong enough John completed several courses at his local TAFE, including a Certificate in Assessment and Training, which allowed him to return to his former employer as Assistant Safety Advisor and Trainer.
Cameron Mosley (Mundubbera)
WINNER - Injured Worker, Serious injury
Senior Constable Mosley was seriously injured in a head-on car crash when a drunk driver smashed into his patrol car while on duty. Determined to return to work as quickly as possible Cameron worked hard to regain the strength in his leg and, with the support of his wife and the Queensland Police Service, returned to duty in early April this year.
Guidelines in relation to eligibility and assessment criteria for nominations can be found here >
