Merriwa Industries recognised eight staff members last Friday for outstanding contributions at the Merriwa Awards in Wangaratta.
Emily Best received the Ray Byrne Award for Quality. The panel praised her for helping teams understand compliance requirements and meet their obligations, while making everyone feel supported and part of the team.
Michael Seymour won the Hugh Elford Award for Excellence. In four years at Merriwa, he has shown remarkable personal and professional growth. The panel described him as a dependable team member who leads by example and is invaluable to the Wodonga team.
Caitlin Brown took out the Jack Lyle Award for Achievement. She stepped up to supervise the Wodonga warehouse over the past year and now manages the role with confidence and ease.
Malcolm Craig was awarded the Mary Sanders Award for Enterprise as he approaches 30 years with Merriwa. His ideas have included production line changes that boosted packaging efficiency. This year,he learned the label printer and is now sharing that knowledge across the team.
Heath O’Grady received the Graham Gales Award for Endeavour. He stepped outside his comfort zone to travel to Wangaratta andsupport the Timbers team, adapting quickly to a new environment.
Corey Moore won the Award for Safety. He hasmade himself the knife checker at Wodonga, regularly inspecting knives on theproduction lines and removing any he believes are unsafe. The panel also notedthat he speaks up respectfully when safety procedures aren’t followed,regardless of a person’s role.
Jono Wright received the Ruth Belan Award for Developing Young People. He leads a team supporting children in out-of-home care and has worked tirelessly to provide consistency and guidance through a period of change.
The Chair’s Award went to Natalie Milgate, who received the Award from Board Chair Jonathan Koop (pictured). The panel said she handled a challenging year of people matters with professionalism, integrity and respect for everyone’s dignity. They described her as the person colleagues turn to “when we’re doing well and when we’re eeling bad.”
Congratulations to all of this year’s winners.