MICROSOFT has been named as Australia’s employer of choice, while law firm Henry Davis York has been recognised as having the best work/life balance in the Australian HR Awards 2004
MICROSOFT has been named as Australia’s employer of choice, while law firm Henry Davis York has been recognised as having the best work/life balance in the Australian HR Awards 2004.
Held on Friday 15 October at the Westin Hotel in Sydney, the awards recognise excellence across the entire spectrum of HR, with organisations from around the country competing in 15 categories.
Sponsored by Aon Consulting and organised by THC Press, publishers of leading HR industry magazine Human Resources, winners included organisations such as Microsoft, Fuji Xerox, St.George Bank and Brisbane City Council.
Attended by more than 500 guests, Microsoft CEO Steve Vamos and Australian swimming legend Kieren Perkins presented keynote and guest speeches at the gala awards ceremony. Comedian Vince Sorrenti hosted the evening, while official charity Jeans for Genes donated fundraising proceeds to assist research into genetic disorders affecting children and providing support for their families.
Microsoft, who took out The Davidson Trahaire Corpsych Award for Employer of Choice (more than 500 employees), was recognised for its strong employee-centric culture, offering a wide range of career opportunities and development for its staff.
On an individual level, Brett Wright, group executive human resources for St.George Bank won The Lee Hecht Harrison Award for Best HR Director. He was recognised for his role in creating a strong business-oriented HR department which is an integral part of St.George Bank and his personal characteristics of commitment, energy and passion for people development.
Developed in conjunction with leading academics and professionals from the HR industry, this year’s selection and judging process built upon last year’s more rigorous methodology to including workplace assessments from members of the judging panel.
Australian HR Awards 2004 finalists and winners
The CompAssess Award for Best Change Management
Finalists: Bayer Healthcare, Fawkner Crematorium, MediHerb, Yarra Valley Water
Winner: Yarra Valley Water
The SMB Fleet Management Award for Best Attraction & Retention Strategy
Finalists: Capital Finance, Henry Davis York, Main Roads WA, Mounties
Winner: Main Roads WA
The NETg Award for Best Learning & Development Strategy
Finalists: Fuji Xerox, Mornington Peninsula Shire, Queensland Building Services Authority, University of WA
Winner: Queensland Building Services Authority (QBSA)
The Pollak Learning Alliance Award for Best Overall Use of Technology
Finalists: Australian National Credit Union, Ford Motor Company, Promina, St.George Bank
Winner: St.George Bank
The GU Corporate Award for Best Work/Life Balance Strategy
Finalists: Cisco Systems, Henry Davis York, Johnson & Johnson, Main Roads WA
Winner: Henry Davis York
The TestGrid Award for Best HR Strategic Plan
Finalists: Brisbane City Council, Fuji Xerox, MediHerb, Microsoft
Winner: Fuji Xerox
The HR Partners Award for the Next HR Generation
Finalists: Dawn Carmichael – MS Society of Victoria, Jessica Keating – Clayton Utz, John Russo – 24 Carat, Maxim Tambling – AXA
Winner: Maxim Tambling – AXA
The Next Step Award for Best HR Team
Finalists: City of Cockburn, Fuji Xerox, HBA Health Insurance, St.George Bank
Winner: St.George Bank
The Lee Hecht Harrison Award for Best HR Director
Finalists: Brett Wright – St.George Bank, Dimitra Manis – AXA, Martin Searle – SAI-Global, Robin Bosch – Hunter Institute TAFE
Winner: Brett Wright – St.George Bank
The HR Matters Award for Lifetime Achievement in HR
Finalists: Avril Henry – AH Revelations, Ed Davis – Macquarie University, Francesco Sofo – University of Canberra
Winner: Ed Davis – Macquarie University
The Right Management Consultants Award for Best HR Champion
Finalists: Derrill Palidwar – Bayer Healthcare, Maxine Horne – Fone Zone, Richard Bowden – HBA Health Insurance, Robert Scherini – Johnson & Johnson
Joint winners: Maxine Horne – Fone Zone, Robert Scherini – Johnson & Johnson
The Humanagement Award for Corporate Citizenship
Finalists: Australian National Credit Union, Department of Justice (VIC), DHL Worldwide, Newcomers Network
Winner: Australian National Credit Union (ANCU)
The Defence Reserves Support Council Award for Employer of Choice (public sector)
Finalists: Brisbane City Council, Department of Justice (VIC), University of WA
Winner: Brisbane City Council
The ipac Award for Employer of Choice (less than 500 employees)
Finalists: Frucor, Henry Davis York, Lovely Pancakes, Mounties
Winner: Mounties
The Davidson Trahaire Corpsych Award for Employer of Choice (more than 500 employees)
Finalists: Fone Zone, Johnson & Johnson, Microsoft, Sparke Helmore
Winner: Microsoft
For more information see www.hrawards.com.au
