Three Victorian Councils, the Cities of Port Phillip, Whitehorse and Manningham, were among 57 organisations recognised in this year’s Australian Quality Awards.
An increasing number of organisations are using the Australian Quality Awards assessment criteria in their pursuit of excellence and for measuring business performance. This is evident through the dramatic increase in organisations entering the Australian Quality Awards that were introduced in 1988.
From ambulance services to multinationals, the 57 organisations received one of four levels of recognition announced at a dinner in November and presented by the Prime Minister, John Howard.
“The diversity of applicants demonstrates tremendous achievements and efforts being made by Australian organisations to perform in a global economy,” said Graham Spong, General Manager Australian Quality Awards Foundation. “Small business has strong representation, as do government organisations. The industries range from health care, to law, and from research to cement.”
Achieving a Quality Award or striving towards one shows an organisation is committed to continuous improvement. It tells customers you are focused on pleasing them, improving the systems and processes of your business to eliminate waste, and involving and empowering people to improve their work.
Australia’s most prestigious business event, the Australian Quality Awards recognise outstanding achievements in organisations which are using Quality to achieve international competitiveness.
Port Phillip’s and Whitehorse’s Awards were for ‘Achievement in Business Excellence’. Port Phillip’s Award was for its Operations Division, which provides community services and infrastructure for some 70,000 inner urban residents. The Division employs 699 staff.
Whitehorse’s Award covered the whole of its organisation. Serving 143,000 residents, Council was formed following the amalgamation of Box Hill and Nunawading Councils in 1994. It has 1,002 staff.
Manningham City Council received its award for Commitment to Business Excellence. Located in Melbourne’s east, Manningham has a population of 110,000 serviced by a staff of 660.
For further information contact Peter Seamer, CEO at Whitehorse on (03) 9244 3400, Port Phillip, John Cincotta, General Manager Operations on (03) 9209 6548 and at Manningham, Bob Seiffert, CEO telephone (03) 9840 9253.
