Blackwood Annexe, The Centre for Executive Development and Vero!!!!
The Prime Ministers Awards for Excellence in Community Business Partnerships reward and recognise those businesses and community organisations which come together to generate outcomes that have a long term benefit for the community. There were approximately 400 nominations this year and the tripartite relationship between Blackwood, The Centre for Executive Development and Vero won the votes of the judges on the night.
Vero’s involvement with Blackwood began as part of the “Our People, Our Brand” initiative. In April 2003, the Influencers Workshop was held and representatives from each of the SBU’s were given an experiential opportunity to understand, live and commit to the vision and the values of the organisation.
One of the key outcomes of the Influencers Workshop was the execution and complete renovation of Blackwood Annexe. This renovation linked the organisation and community values in a way we had not done previously. The participants were given the opportunity to live and commit to the values of Vero whilst at the same time, assist a very worthy community based organisation, who’s values mirrored Vero’s.
Over two days this diverse group, melded into a team that communicated, then united to achieve the practical objectives of the annexe project. The term “finish the fence”, is one that will stay with those that experienced the program for a lifetime.
The Blackwood Centre for Adolescent Development is a Rural State Secondary School program run out of Victoria that caters for young people at risk (depression, ADHD, victims of sexual and physical abuse etc). It has been running for nine years and was established by David and Julie Hayes in response to the drastic need of young people in their rural community. It is one of Australia’s most highly recognised and successful programs for young people at risk and is leading the way in formulating successful ways to re-engage youth back into the community.
The Vero, Centre for Executive Development and Blackwood program was a worthy winner on the night as it delivered not only an effective business outcome for Vero but a substantial and long term benefit to the adolescent community.
Well done and congratulations to all those involved!
To view the official website please click here.