Consumer champions hailed – Consumer Protection Awards 2009
Issue Date: - Tuesday, 17 March 2009
The Consumer Protection Awards are over for another year with the three winners announced last Friday (13 March).
Anglicare Busselton financial counsellor, Sandie Groves, the Citizens Advice Bureau and Farmsafe WA Alliance were announced as this year's winners at a gala luncheon.
Consumer Protection Commissioner Anne Driscoll said it was encouraging to see that this year’s awards attracted a wide range of outstanding entrants.
“I congratulate all entrants in this year's Consumer Protection Awards for the commitment they have shown in helping consumers in many ways throughout the state,” Ms Driscoll said.
“These awards are about giving public recognition to the grass roots work people are doing in their communities."
Minister for Commerce Troy Buswell co-presented last Friday's sixth annual awards that honoured those who have demonstrated ongoing and outstanding efforts in advancing consumer protection values and improving the lives of people in their local communities.
Ms Groves was the winner of the Rona Okely Award for an outstanding contribution by an individual. She has been helping consumers from low socio-economic backgrounds, Indigenous and culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds in the South-West for 15 years to manage their debts and finances.
The other winners were:
The Citizens Advice Bureau, which won the Richard (Dick) Fletcher Award for its contribution to consumer protection. Supported by more than 200 volunteers, the Bureau offers West Australians low cost, probate, legal and mediation services; and
Farmsafe WA Alliance, the not-for-profit group which promotes safer farming practices and child safety on farms programs, won the Kidsafe WA Award.
The finalists were:
Rona Okely Award -
Sandie Groves, financial counsellor, Busselton Anglicare Financial Counselling Service;
Georgina Coomer, tenancy and financial counselling advocate, Pilbara Community Legal Service; and
Lois Gatley, Chairwoman, Carers Advisory Council.
Richard (Dick) Fletcher Award -
Citizens Advice Bureau, not-for-profit agency offering low-cost information, referral, legal and mediation services throughout WA;
Council on the Ageing, promotes positive policies and programs to government on behalf of seniors; and
Pilbara Community Legal Service, a community-based organisation that provides a range of services to people in the Pilbara region, including tenant advocacy, financial counselling and legal advice.
Each of the winners received a trophy, certificate of achievement and $2500 cash.
Further information about the Awards:
The Rona Okely Award acknowledges an individual Western Australian who has influenced and inspired the advancement, development and promotion of consumer protection in their community and who has given selflessly of their time, energy and experience for the betterment of others.
The Richard (Dick) Fletcher Award acknowledges a non-government organisation or group who make a significant and enduring contribution to the advancement of consumer protection in their community.
The Kidsafe WA Award, acknowledges those who make a significant and enduring contribution to the advancement of product safety for children in their community. This award was presented for the first time in 2008.