Spence: Distinction Awards recognise outstanding Sport and Recreation service
Published Tuesday, 19 August, 2008 at 05:10 PM
Minister for Police, Corrective Services and Sport
The Honourable Judy Spence
Sport Minister Judy Spence today handed out 13 awards to Department of Sport and Recreation and Queensland Academy of Sport staff from across Queensland including Toowoomba, Townsville and Brisbane.
Ms Spence said: “Since I became Sport Minister almost 12 months ago, I have been greatly impressed by the hard work and dedication of our Department of Sport and Recreation employees.
“These awards recognise the commitment of our staff to providing Queenslanders with a range of opportunities to get out and get active – from grass roots athletes through to the elite.
“The kind of work demonstrated by today’s award recipients will ensure Queensland athletes continue to excel, building on our excellent results at the Beijing Olympics.”
Award recipients include:
• Doug Pitt, a Townsville based Senior Indigenous Advisor who started up the Palm Island Rugby League competition in consultation with the local community. This project has provided the people on Palm Island with a positive organised social activity - building their health and fitness, while also diverting them from alcohol abuse.
• Jo Merrell, a Toowoomba based Senior Advisor made a real difference to the lives of hundreds of horse riders and their families isolated at Morgan Park during the Equine Influenza outbreak last year. Jo coordinated daily sport and recreation activities and arranged equipment during the month long quarantine period.
• The Department’s Indigenous Sports Unit has been recognised for the innovation and delivery of the highly popular Sports Locker Room forums delivered across Queensland, free of charge. These forums are designed to motivate coaches, parents, athletes and officials about the benefits of living a healthier and more active lifestyle.
Ms Spence said some employees have also been recognised for their ongoing commitment and dedication to the Department and the Academy, and to serving the people of Queensland.
“The high level of work being conducted by individuals and teams is simply outstanding and I thank all the staff for helping Queensland to set new benchmarks in the sporting arena.
“Congratulations to the 13 award recipients for their commitment to providing healthy lifestyle choices and participation opportunities for all Queenslanders.”
A full list of all the winners is attached.
Media contact: 3239 6203
Department of Sport and Recreation Distinction Award Recipients
Client Service
• Doug Pitt, Senior Indigenous Advisor, Northern Regional Office, Townsville – coordination and implementation of the Palm Island Rugby League competition.
• Sharon Hodges, Acting Manager, Major Projects Facilitation Unit, Business Development – Secretariat support for the annual conduct of the Indy 300 event.
• Jo Merrell, Senior Advisor, South West Regional Office, Toowoomba – Delivery of activity and accreditation programs during the Equine Influenza lock down at Morgan Park.
Administration
• Lisa Watson, Acting Senior Administration Officer, Office of the Executive Director, Sport - Dedication and initiative.
• Mara Johnston, Executive Support Officer, Queensland Academy of Sport - Dedication to providing a continued high level of support and knowledge.
• Janene Dixon, Acting Senior Executive Officer, Office of the Executive Director, Sport - High level of support, knowledge and development.
Industry
• Kate Mullens, Acting Senior Industry Analyst, Industry and Sector Development - Developing and delivering a training and information program for event organisation in the Performance and Pleasure Horse Industry during the Equine Influenza outbreak.
• Colin Smith, Manager, Sports Houses - Continued high level of facility management and personalised service to tenants at Sports Houses.
Collaboration
• South West Regional Office – Ministerial Regional Community Forum - Damon Meadows, Tony Williams, Jo Merrell, Ben Lorraway provided logistic and project support to the Office of Regional and Rural Communities for the Ministerial Regional Community Forum held in Charleville in June 2008.
Innovation
• Business Development - Queensland Roar Sponsorship - Alison O’Malley and Craig Tichon – leading the way in benchmarking a solid framework to guide upcoming major sponsorships in the sport and recreation industry.
• South East Regional Office – Shawsportz, Club Assistance Program - Team lead by Simon Stephens which responded at a local, grass roots level to provide direct assistance to sport and recreation clubs through funding and advice and expertise in club governance during a period of instability with the management of three Shawsportz venues.
Program Delivery
• Indigenous Sport Unit – Sports Locker Rooms - Lisa Sarago, Brian Kerle and Duncan Hall – Delivered innovative and highly popular Sports Locker Rooms.
• Recreation Centre Development – Program Development and Implementation - Team lead by Tim Condon – Successfully refocussing the Active Recreation Centres to provide dynamic sport and recreation participation opportunities in a safe and fun environment.
Ms Spence said: “Since I became Sport Minister almost 12 months ago, I have been greatly impressed by the hard work and dedication of our Department of Sport and Recreation employees.
“These awards recognise the commitment of our staff to providing Queenslanders with a range of opportunities to get out and get active – from grass roots athletes through to the elite.
“The kind of work demonstrated by today’s award recipients will ensure Queensland athletes continue to excel, building on our excellent results at the Beijing Olympics.”
Award recipients include:
• Doug Pitt, a Townsville based Senior Indigenous Advisor who started up the Palm Island Rugby League competition in consultation with the local community. This project has provided the people on Palm Island with a positive organised social activity - building their health and fitness, while also diverting them from alcohol abuse.
• Jo Merrell, a Toowoomba based Senior Advisor made a real difference to the lives of hundreds of horse riders and their families isolated at Morgan Park during the Equine Influenza outbreak last year. Jo coordinated daily sport and recreation activities and arranged equipment during the month long quarantine period.
• The Department’s Indigenous Sports Unit has been recognised for the innovation and delivery of the highly popular Sports Locker Room forums delivered across Queensland, free of charge. These forums are designed to motivate coaches, parents, athletes and officials about the benefits of living a healthier and more active lifestyle.
Ms Spence said some employees have also been recognised for their ongoing commitment and dedication to the Department and the Academy, and to serving the people of Queensland.
“The high level of work being conducted by individuals and teams is simply outstanding and I thank all the staff for helping Queensland to set new benchmarks in the sporting arena.
“Congratulations to the 13 award recipients for their commitment to providing healthy lifestyle choices and participation opportunities for all Queenslanders.”
A full list of all the winners is attached.
Media contact: 3239 6203
Department of Sport and Recreation Distinction Award Recipients
Client Service
• Doug Pitt, Senior Indigenous Advisor, Northern Regional Office, Townsville – coordination and implementation of the Palm Island Rugby League competition.
• Sharon Hodges, Acting Manager, Major Projects Facilitation Unit, Business Development – Secretariat support for the annual conduct of the Indy 300 event.
• Jo Merrell, Senior Advisor, South West Regional Office, Toowoomba – Delivery of activity and accreditation programs during the Equine Influenza lock down at Morgan Park.
Administration
• Lisa Watson, Acting Senior Administration Officer, Office of the Executive Director, Sport - Dedication and initiative.
• Mara Johnston, Executive Support Officer, Queensland Academy of Sport - Dedication to providing a continued high level of support and knowledge.
• Janene Dixon, Acting Senior Executive Officer, Office of the Executive Director, Sport - High level of support, knowledge and development.
Industry
• Kate Mullens, Acting Senior Industry Analyst, Industry and Sector Development - Developing and delivering a training and information program for event organisation in the Performance and Pleasure Horse Industry during the Equine Influenza outbreak.
• Colin Smith, Manager, Sports Houses - Continued high level of facility management and personalised service to tenants at Sports Houses.
Collaboration
• South West Regional Office – Ministerial Regional Community Forum - Damon Meadows, Tony Williams, Jo Merrell, Ben Lorraway provided logistic and project support to the Office of Regional and Rural Communities for the Ministerial Regional Community Forum held in Charleville in June 2008.
Innovation
• Business Development - Queensland Roar Sponsorship - Alison O’Malley and Craig Tichon – leading the way in benchmarking a solid framework to guide upcoming major sponsorships in the sport and recreation industry.
• South East Regional Office – Shawsportz, Club Assistance Program - Team lead by Simon Stephens which responded at a local, grass roots level to provide direct assistance to sport and recreation clubs through funding and advice and expertise in club governance during a period of instability with the management of three Shawsportz venues.
Program Delivery
• Indigenous Sport Unit – Sports Locker Rooms - Lisa Sarago, Brian Kerle and Duncan Hall – Delivered innovative and highly popular Sports Locker Rooms.
• Recreation Centre Development – Program Development and Implementation - Team lead by Tim Condon – Successfully refocussing the Active Recreation Centres to provide dynamic sport and recreation participation opportunities in a safe and fun environment.