Awards and Commendations

Best in Business – Tourism, Attractions & Events, The Gladstone Chamber of Commerce & Industry (GCCI) Date awarded: 6 November 2021

The region’s light spectacular Luminous and its accompanying Luminous – Heritage Trail event saw 26,000 people through the gates of Tondoon Botanic Gardens across two magical nights. This year saw the addition of the Luminous Heritage Trail and launch event which projects light artworks on heritage buildings throughout Gladstone’s historic Goondoon Street. The judges noted the event’s attendance figures, collaboration with local organisations, individuals and contractors, the opportunity provided for local artists and musicians to display their talents, and an almost doubling of attendance (97.96 per cent) satisfaction survey as reasons for the award.

Gold level recognition – Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) Skilled Workplace Program Date received: 10 November 2021

Council received GOLD level recognition for embedding a sustainable and effective program which developed Mental Health First Aid skills in our people. Our business has improved health literacy, reduced stigma and encouraged more open conversations about mental health. Approximately 7 per cent of our workforce are trained in Mental Health First Aid and ready to offer support to their peers, friends and community.

CQ22 Best Paper – Institute of Public Works Engineering Australasia, Queensland Date Awarded: 17 March 2022

Manager Asset Planning Celisa Faulkner was awarded the #CQ22 Best Paper at the IPWEA CQ Branch Conference. Her paper, Robust Decisions Delivering Fit for Purpose Investments, covering the implementation of Council’s new Investment Decision Framework was voted as the winner by the 130-plus delegates in attendance.

Silver Award – Australasian Reporting Awards Date awards: 13 May 2022

Council’s Annual Report 2020/21 achieved a Silver Award in the 2021 Australasian Reporting Awards after receiving a Bronze in the previous year. The improved result was attributed to a revamped reporting style and design with a new focus of better communicating Council’s performance to the community. The ARA Awards are open to all private sector, public sector and not-for-profit organisations in Australia, New Zealand and countries in the Asia-Pacific region and beyond.

Community Facility of the Year Award, Parks & Leisure Australia (PLA) Queensland 2022 Regional Awards of Excellence. Date awarded: 18 May 2022

The newly opened Philip Street Communities and Families Precinct was honoured to be named the 2022 Community Facility of the Year Award in the Queensland division. The award recognised the facility’s innovative design, development and operating model with the goal of strengthening our community and social service system by working together to enhance and improve community outcomes. The Philip Street Precinct has progressed into the national finals, to be announced in October 2022.

Regional Achievement Award, Australia Institute of Landscape Architects (AILA) Qld Landscape Architecture Award Date awarded: 22 June 2022

The Philip Street Communities and Families Precinct received a second prestigious award this financial year, the Regional Achievement Award at the AILA Qld Landscape Architecture Award. The jury chose to recognise the use of landscape architecture to make a significant difference to improving the healthy communities of regional Australia. Council was honoured to see the Precinct’s benefit to the community acknowledged early in its life and we look forward to seeing is contributes to the community into the future.