Western Australian Consumer Protection Awards
2009 awards winners announced 13 March 2009
- Award information
- Why nominate for the Awards
- The awards categories
- The rewards
- Current winners (2009)
- Previous winners and finalists
- Further Information
Award information
The Awards recognise worthy contributions by individuals, non-government organisations and businesses, all of whom play an important role in protecting the rights of everyday consumers and the safety of children.
You, or someone you know, may have been involved in helping others manage credit and debt, getting a fair deal in housing or shopping, educating consumers about scams and rip offs, creating safer products for children, or informing others about these products. Or you may have been involved in protecting consumers in other ways.
You can nominate yourself or others as an individual, non-government organisation, or business operating in Western Australia - contact us for more information.
Why nominate for the Awards?
Nominating for the Awards will provide an opportunity to show case outstanding work and be in the running to reap some rewards.
There are three cash rewards of $2,500 for winners of each of the three Award categories. The annual presentation will also enjoy strong media coverage which will further highlight the work of finalists and winners.
The award categories
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. Meet the current winner.
The Richard (Dick) Fletcher Award acknowledges a non-government organisation or group of individuals operating in Western Australia that has, through their particular field of endeavour, made a significant and enduring contribution to the advancement of consumer protection in their community. They effectively deliver services or carry out projects or initiatives that raise community understanding and awareness of consumer protection issues. Meet the current winner.
The Kidsafe WA Award was presented for the first time in 2008. This new award acknowledges businesses, non-government organisations, individuals and groups of individuals operating in Western Australia that have – through their particular field of endeavour – made a significant and enduring contribution to the advancement of product safety for children in their community. They may have worked to raise awareness of specific product hazards, been involved in the design and development of a new product that improves consumer safety or have developed and delivered projects or initiatives that raise community understanding and awareness of product safety issues for children. Meet the current winner.
The rewards
Finalists and winners of the Western Australian Consumer Protection Awards are widely acknowledged for their achievements in promoting consumer rights within our community. Winners and finalists are announced in The West Australian and regional West Australian newspapers. They are also acknowledged on this website and in other publicity associated with the awards.
Individuals, organisations and businesses, can benefit from the credibility and kudos gained through the Awards when making future applications for project partners, support or funding.
At the awards ceremony, all finalists receive a framed certificate while all winners:
- receive a framed certificate, trophy and $2,500;
- are publicly acknowledged; and
- their names are added to the perpetual shield which is displayed at Consumer Protection’s head office at 219 St Georges Terrace, Perth.
Current winners - 2009
Rona Okely Award
Winner: Sandie Groves, financial counsellor, Busselton Anglicare Financial Counselling Service
Sandie works as a financial counsellor for the Busselton Anglicare Financial Counselling Service. She has been assisting consumers in the Busselton, Margaret River, Augusta and Nannup areas for the last l5 years. Apart from consumers from low socioeconomic backgrounds, Sandie also works with many Indigenous consumers and consumers from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds. She negotiates with creditors regarding repayments on loans, mortgages and credit cards, explains the debt recovery process to consumers and makes referrals. Sandie helps consumers develop sustainable budgeting plans and financial management skills. She provides education and information to enable people to manage their personal and economic lives better.
L-R Minister for Commerce, the Hon Troy Buswell MLA, Sandie Groves and Rona Okely
Rona Okley Award Finalists: Georgina Coomer and Lois Gatley.
Richard (Dick) Fletcher Award
Winner: Citizens Advice Bureau (CAS)
The Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB) is a not-forprofit agency funded mainly by grants. CAB has a strong emphasis on education and outreach and uses its networks to reach vulnerable people and provide them with the information and referral services that empower them to help themselves. CAB is one of the few services offering Western Australians, probate, legal and mediation services at low cost. It contributes to consumer education through its information and referral service.
L-R Minister for Commerce, the Hon Troy Buswell MLA, Citizens Advice Bureau's Sandra Brown (CEO) and Diana Fletcher.
Richard (Dick) Fletcher Award Finalists: Citizen Council on the Ageing and Pilbara Community Legal Service.
Kidsafe WA Award
Winner: Farmsafe WA Alliance
Farmsafe WA Alliance is an independent, not-for-profit, non-government organisation which promotes safer farming practices and child safety on farms programs. Child death rates due to injury are higher in rural and remote Australia than for children in metropolitan areas. In Australia, there is about one farm-related child death every fortnight, with one-quarter of these fatalities involving visitors to farms. Farmsafe WA Alliance delivers child safety on farms programs in a number of innovative ways, including involvement in workshops, presentations, demonstrations at agricultural field days and open days, Safety in Schools programs and through play group networks. Farmsafe WA Alliance has also produced a child safe play area demonstration site, a brochure and a DVD. The organisation promotes the importance of providing safe play areas, setting rules and no-go zones on the farm and supervision of children. Community service announcements, radio interviews, and newspaper articles are important ways used for raising awareness. Farmsafe WA Alliance also presents at conferences and is active in the development of state and national strategies.
L-R Minister for Commerce, the Hon Troy Buswell MLA and Farmsafe WA Alliance's Tony Hiscock.
Previous award winners and finalists
Past winners of the Western Australian Consumer Protection Awards illustrate an outstanding commitment to consumer protection: The Department congratulates all winners and finalists.
Rona Okely Award
Winners
Graham Mabury (2008) has been championing the rights of Western Australian consumers for 25 years. Through his long-running radio talkback program Nightline on 6PR, Graham has promoted a range of social issues to an estimated audience of more than 55,000 listeners and internet subscribers. Consumer rights and responsibilities have been a key part of that focus. Expert contributors feature regularly on Graham’s program, making it an important source of consumer information and advice to the West Australian public. Graham’s contributions to the community extend beyond his weeknight program to his role in the Livingstone Foundation, now called Lifeline.
Julie Eady (2007) the author of the book Additive Alert, Your Guide to Safer Shopping is making consumers think twice about the foods that go into their weekly shopping baskets. It provides a valuable insight into the additives found in everyday foods. The book has raised awareness of food safety standards in Australia and been a tool of empowerment for consumers. Julie’s contribution to consumer safety earnt her the 2007 Rona Okely Award.
Verity Cripps' (2006) dedicated service as secretary of the Consumers' Association of Western Australia was recognised in the 2006 Awards presentation. Verity was a founding member of the Association when it was first established in 1975 and has been its secretary for over 30 years. Verity has been directly responsible for the Association's submissions to government on a range of issues.
Anne Hawkins (2004) has had long experience in providing consumer protection services in the areas of tenancy, legal advice, emergency accommodation and financial counselling. Her dedicated services in the interests of consumers won her the inaugural 2004 Rona Okely Award.
Finalists
- 2009: Georgina Coomer and Lois Gatley
- 2008: Denise Brailey and Rowena Strain
- 2007: Ian MacDonald and Ellen Walker
- 2006: Dylan Desaubin and Samuel Dinah
- 2004: Gay McNamara and Denise Brailey
Richard (Dick) Fletcher Award
Winners
Southern Communities Advocacy Legal and Education Service Inc. (SCALES) (2008) SCALES has been honoured for its outstanding tenants advice and court service, which began operating in 2006. The service is an innovative partnership between SCALES staff, Murdoch University Law students and Rockingham Magistrates Court. In an increasingly competitive rental market, the service provides valuable advice and advocacy for tenants involved in disputes before the courts. The service has helped many tenants to avoid ongoing debt, blacklisting on tenant databases, eviction and homelessness.
The Tenants Advice Service (2007) plays an important role in advising tenants of their rights and responsibilities, and empowering them to handle tenancy disputes. It was honoured with the 2007 Richard (Dick) Fletcher Award.
The Geraldton Resource Centre (2004 & 2006) is a non-profit community agency, managed by dedicated local volunteers, which has been providing consumer protection services to its community since 1984. The Centre's outstanding services in the Mid West region have led to it winning the Richard (Dick) Fletcher Award twice in a row.
Finalists
- 2009: Citizen Council on the Ageing and Pilbara Community Legal Service
- 2008: Citizen Advocacy Perth West Inc. and WA No Interest Loans Network Inc.
- 2007: WA No Interest Loans Network Inc., Consumer Credit Legal Service Inc. and Youth Media Society of WA Inc. (Special Mention)
- 2006: Consumer Utilities Project - WACOSS and WA No Interest Loans Network Inc.
- 2004: Health Consumers Council and Youth Legal Service WA
Kidsafe WA Award
Winners
Lee-Beau Creations - Oven Guard (2008) Graeme and Sharynn McCormack from Lee-Beau Creations, were recognised for their Oven Guard invention, a heat-resistant product developed to prevent young children from burning themselves.
Finalist
- 2008: Hurphy Durphy Pty Ltd – Seat Belt Buckle Guard
Further information
For further information about the Awards contact the Consumer Protection's Advice Line by:
- calling 1300 30 40 54 or
- nomination form
- 2009's guidelines and background information