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Island & Cape wins prestigious Reconciliation Award gong
Leo Bater (Chief Operating Officer, Indigenous Business Australia - award sponsor), John Smith (Director, Island & Cape Retail Enterprises), Kim Nona (General Manager, Island & Cape), Dereck Walpo (Mayor, Aurukun Shire Council), Craig Oxlade (Retail Director, Island & Cape) and The Hon Campbell Newman (Premier of Queensland).
by Gavin Broomhead 30 May 2014
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sland & Cape is celebrating after winning a prestigious gong from Queensland Premier Campbell Newman at the 2014 Queensland Reconciliation Awards in Townsville this week.
The Far North Queensland retail store operator was recognised by the Queensland Government for its innovative “Unity Through Enterprise” model, beating off competition from around the State to win the award’s Business category. Island & Cape Retail Director
Craig Oxlade said the “Unity Through Enterprise” model is a successful alternative to the way in which Aboriginal and Torres Strait community stores have traditionally operated in Queensland. “We’re absolutely thrilled to be recognised by the Premier for our work within Indigenous
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communities across the Torres Strait and Cape York Peninsula,” said Mr Oxlade. “Island & Cape prides itself on becoming a vital part of the local communities and their economies that we service, through investment in infrastructure, employment and social contribution. “We are not just community stores – we are much more than that. We believe this award is a reflection of the desire we have to be part of and support remote communities. “We make a positive contribution to the social and economic development of our community members, while leading the way by providing quality retail services. “Our mission is to conduct an efficient retail business emphasising customer service, nutrition, staff development, training and education. “We’re very passionate about ensuring this approach in our remote stores across Far North Queensland, and enhancing positive economies in Indigenous communities. “We’re thrilled to have won this prestigious award.” Over the past 12 months, Island & Cape initiatives which have helped improve the lives of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people across Far North Queensland’s remote communities include: • Weekly fruit and vegetable specials leading to increased healthy food sales • Expansion of Indigenous traineeships and in-job training program • Installation of healthy ovens and removal of deep fat fryers for takeaways • Development of new highfibre healthier bread for
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Island & Cape and Apunipima Cape York Health Council teamed up recently to deliver a Healthy Choice program nutrition event in the Cape York remote Indigenous community of Aurukun.
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Indigenous stores Appointment of full-time nutritionist Ongoing success of Healthy Choice nutrition program Sugar awareness displays in remote stores leading to positive result Reduction in cost of bottled water Partnership with Menzies School of Health Research to evaluate nutrition in stores Use of local Indigenous farmers on Horn Island and in Hopevale for locally grown fruit & veg, encouraging local enterprise and economy stimulus Construction of Napranum supermarket Opening of Yarrabah service station Secured funding via council for training and development of local people to staff new Napranum supermarket Opening of Horn Island post office, servicing all Torres Strait Islands.
Mr Oxlade said Island & Cape has a proud history of working closely with remote communities across the region. “Island & Cape always plays an active role in the communities where we operate,” he said. “We continue to invest in our communities, through infrastructure, employment and social contribution. Giving back is a core value of Island & Cape.” The Island & Cape retail division provides Indigenous communities across Far North Queensland with food and goods through retail stores, supermarkets and takeaways. Island & Cape stores in the region are located on Badu Island, Dauan Island, Horn Island and Yorke Island in the Torres Strait, and in Aurukun, Wujal Wujal, Hopevale and Yarrabah. The company employs more than 140 staff, more than 70 per cent of which are Indigenous, with more than 20 traineeships currently in place.