Cafs awarded for HR excellence

THE recent Australian Human Resources Institute Awards saw individual Cafs staff members and the broader family welfare agency honoured.

The Cafs team was nominated four times, and won across four categories; two for leading people, and two for the organisation.

The Australian Human Resources Institute CEO diversity champion was awarded to Cafs CEO Wendy Sturgess, while Liz Hardiman was named HR diversity champion.

The organisation’s work in the inclusion space was also celebrated, receiving the Michael Kirby LGBTIQ+ Inclusion Award, while agencies approach to changes in family violence support service provision was acknowledged through the Wayne Cascio Organisational Development Award.

Cafs’ executive manager of people and culture Robyn Clark said the entire team “could not be more proud” to be recognised by the Institute.

“Cafs has been through a period of significant change, not only because of the pandemic, but in an effort to strive for business excellence,” she said.

“What sits behind these awards is strong leadership, and most importantly, a whole team of dedicated people who work with our clients and all across the organisation.”

The Australian Human Resources Institute Awards were conducted virtually last month, hosted by performer, writer, and comedian Jean Kittson on the afternoon of Thursday, 25 November.

Ms Sturgess fellow CEO diversity champion finalists included Geoscience Australia’s Dr James Johnson, ECH aged care’s Dr David Panter, Aristocrat’s Trevor Croker, and Sodexo Australia’s Mark Chalmers.

The awards exist to spotlight and thank the most professional and outstanding human resources practitioners, leaders and groups, setting best-practice standards for the national HR space.