Reconciliation champions recognised at TCC event
Date published: 3 June 2021
Townsville City Council is supporting National Reconciliation Week by acknowledging reconciliation champions throughout the organisation.
The Townsville City Council Spirit of Reconciliation Awards highlight Council employees who strive for reconciliation in their day-to-day business. This year’s Reconciliation Week theme is “More than a word. Reconciliation takes action”.
Mayor Jenny Hill said reconciliation is an important part of Council’s ethos.
“Council’s work towards reconciliation is based on the actions we take and how we embed reconciliation within our organisation. Council employees have been recognised at Council’s Spirit of Reconciliation Awards for their contributions towards building relationships between Council and Townsville’s Indigenous communities,” Cr Hill said.
“Four awards were given at last Thursday’s ceremony, two as Community Engagement Reconciliation Champions and two as Workplace Reconciliation Champions.
“It is great that Council has so many employees that embody the spirit of reconciliation and I’m pleased that this positive effort is being recognised.”
Cr Hill said Council had a strong focus on supporting the local Indigenous population, including through procurement.
“In this financial year, Council has spent more than $2 million with local Indigenous businesses through our procurement process,” she said.
“Indigenous-owned businesses have a higher rate of Indigenous employment compared to other businesses. This means every time Council works with Indigenous businesses, we are supporting employment and training opportunities for local Indigenous workers.”
National Reconciliation Week started last Thursday and runs until today, Mabo Day.
Winners
Community Engagement Reconciliation Champion
- Cemetery Crew
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Liaison officer Jess Ward
Workplace Reconciliation Champion
- Customer Contact team manager Teisha Peterson
- Riverway groundsman Cecil Wilson
