HR Awards winners announced

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