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.
Watch Helen's video.
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.
Watch Troy's video.
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.
Watch SKILLED's video.
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.
Watch Jacinta's video.
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.
Watch David's video.
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.
Watch Gary's video.
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.
Watch John's video.
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.
Watch Cameron's video.