2018 Workplace Giving Excellence Awards

MEDIA RELEASE

2018 Workplace Giving Excellence Awards – Winners Announced

Event officiated by The Hon. Paul Fletcher MP, Minister for Families and Social Services and Member for Bradfield.

Gold Awards winners:

  • Best Overall Program: SEEK
  • Most Innovative Charity / Employer Partnership – proudly sponsored by the Australian Government Department of Social Services: STREAT in partnership with SEEK
  • Best Launch or Refresh (Employer): King and Wood Mallesons
  • Best Launch or Refresh (Charity): WWF
  • Best Public Sector Program: Queensland University of Technology
  • Best Pro Bono / Workplace Volunteering: Origin Foundation
  • Most Unique Innovation: Joint winners – REA Group and The Funding Network

20 November 2018 – The positive impact on business culture and community, because of giving at work, has been acknowledged at the third annual 2018 Workplace Giving Excellence Awards (‘awards’), hosted in Sydney.

The awards are driven by leading advocacy organisation, Workplace Giving Australia (WGA) and celebrate excellence, social impact and leadership. At a ceremony hosted by Commonwealth Bank, 18 organisations from 60 entrants, received recognition for their outstanding programs.

As a pillar of WGA’s One Million Donors campaign, the awards promote the success of workplace giving as the most efficient, effective and ethical form of charity donations from working Australians, and encourage others to participate.

A key goal is to see one million Australians giving at work direct from their pay. Achieving this milestone would create an additional $250 million each year from working Australians to charity.

Jenny Geddes, CEO, Workplace Giving Australia, said, “We’re delighted to see the growing support for workplace giving and the outcomes achieved by those recognised at the awards. These programs help business leaders connect and engage with their people, and generate a genuine sense of pride through the workplace as the collective effort delivers much needed funding and awareness of social issues. We continue to champion workplace giving as the most efficient and ethical way of making charitable donations, and we encourage all businesses – large and small – to participate.”

A selection of quotes from Gold Award Winners

Best Overall Program – SEEK
“At SEEK, having a positive impact on society is one of our primary beliefs, which we bring to life in a number of ways, including our workplace giving program, called “Small Change”. Our employees are really proud of Small Change and we are truly humbled to be honoured as the gold recipient for the positive impact and difference this program continues to make.” Kathleen McCudden, Group Human Resources Director, SEEK

Most Innovative Charity / Employer Partnership – STREAT
“This wonderful partnership started in 2014, with a lunchtime talk and some delicious STREAT catering at SEEK in St. Kilda Road. In many different ways and in many locations that’s essentially been repeated thousands of times. Most importantly, it has helped fund the training of over 50 young people who really needed a hand. That’s truly delicious.” Rebecca Scott, CEO, STREAT

Most Innovative Charity / Employer Partnership – SEEK
“We are really humbled to be recognised as a gold award winner in a category that honours this partnership with STREAT, who share our belief about using innovation to make a positive impact on people’s lives through education and employment. Since launching our workplace giving program, more than nine out of 10 of our employees feel that SEEK’s commitment to social responsibility is genuine. Our ongoing partnership with STREAT has enabled both SEEK and our employees to continue to have a positive impact on society.” Kathleen McCudden, Group Human Resources Director, SEEK

Best Pro Bono / Workplace Volunteering – Origin Foundation
“I am incredibly proud of our people and the passion they show for the Origin Foundation. When it was established in 2010, it was our people who chose its focus of education to help create a brighter future for young Australians. Every year, our people volunteer many hours of their time as well as their professional skills and experience to support the work of our community partners, enabling us to amplify any dollar contribution the Foundation makes. Witnessing our people making a difference in the community is one of the most rewarding aspects of leading this great Australian company.” Frank Calabria, CEO, Origin

Most Unique Innovation – REA Group (joint winner)
“Re-imagining the way we do things and giving back to the community are both part of REA Group’s DNA, so to win the ‘Most Unique Innovation’ award category is a real honour! We are constantly inspired by the generosity of our employees and humbled to be recognised in this way.” Mary Lemonis, Executive General Manager, People & Culture, REA Group

Most Unique Innovation – The Funding Network (joint winner)
“Companies have come to realise that corporate social responsibility initiatives and workplace giving programs are an opportunity to strengthen business. However, a lack of time, resources and imagination is preventing business from meaningfully engaging their staff in their giving programs. The Funding Network is thrilled to win a gold award in the “Most Unique Innovation” category, recognising the way our live crowdfunding events are engaging staff and bringing people together to create powerful social change.” Julie McDonald, CEO, The Funding Network

Additional Award Winners

Best Overall Program

  • JB Hi-Fi – Silver
  • King & Wood Mallesons – Bronze

Most Innovative Charity / Employer Partnership

  • SecondBite in partnership with 7-Eleven Australia – Silver
  • Sydney Children’s Hospitals Foundation in partnership with Event Hospitality and
    Entertainment – Highly Commended

Best Launch or Refresh of WPG Program (Employer)

  • PETstock – Silver
  • Flight Centre Travel Group – Bronze

Best Pro Bono / Workplace Volunteering

  • Bain & Company – Silver (joint winner)
  • Deloitte Australia – Silver (joint winner)

Most Unique Innovation

  • SAP Australia & New Zealand – Bronze (joint winner)
  • WWF – Bronze (joint winner)

Distinguished Judging Panel

The exceptional panel of judges representing a broad cross-section of industry were:

  • Judy Barraclough, Head of Strategy & Philanthropy, The Smith Family
  • Carolyn Curtis, CEO, The Australian Centre for Social Innovation
  • Sarah Davies, CEO, Philanthropy Australia
  • Carolyn Hewson, Director, BHP Ltd, BHP Plc and Stockland Ltd
  • Prof. Kristy Muir, CEO, The Centre for Social Impact
  • Adrienne Picone, CEO, Volunteering Australia
  • Dr. Tim Reddel, Group Manager, Policy Office, Department of Social Services

Click here to view images of the 2018 Workplace Giving Excellence Awards

Media contact:
Kelly Gentle,
02 9024 8630 / 0409 030 595
kelly.gentle@workplacegivingaustralia.org.au

About
The Workplace Giving Excellence Awards are driven by leading advocacy group Workplace Giving Australia, to promote the success of workplace giving as the most efficient, effective and ethical form of charity donations from working Australians. Judging is managed by an independent panel.

The Awards are a key component of the One Million Donors campaign that was launched in 2014. It aims to see a million Australians donating to charity through work, which would create an additional $250 million each year for community and transform the giving landscape in Australia. It is supported by high profile employers and charities, as well as leading community organisations.
www.1MDonors.org.au