A division of the Liberal Party of Australia
SPEECH TO THE WORK FOR THE DOLE AWARDS
04 August, 2006
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Thanks Ed Smallwood, the Chairman of the Gudjuda Reference Group Aboriginal Corporation.
Can I congratulate your group Eddie and all those involved with the Work for the Dole Project on what they have achieved and on winning the Overall Best Work for the Dole Activity as part of the Prime Minister's Work for the Dole Awards.
Can I also thank the traditional owners and the elders of the Gudjuda people for their welcome to this land for this wonderful celebration today.
I know Mission Australia have done a marvellous job in the north over many years now and the work they have done in assisting the Gudjuda people with their Work for the Dole Project is typical of the great work achievement they have.
All of the people involved have done a sensational job and deserve every encouragement, support and congratulations. The Work for the Dole Program is a means to an end and that end is to achieve worthwhile, responsible and fulfilling jobs for those who take part. I know from the success rate the Gudjuda people have had over the years that those who have been involved in this Project will also use their training to access more permanent work in this locality.
While I'm here I particularly want to acknowledge the work that the supervisors of the Project, Gilbert Pollock and Joseph Henaway have done. I'm told on good authority that their work in leading the group was in no small way a reason for the outcome.
Another reason why I'm very proud of the Gudjuda people and the work they've done is that when I go to Canberra you get Parliamentarians coming from all over the country, getting to Canberra and saying how marvellous their own locality is. Well I love to go to Canberra and point out how well the Gudjuda people have done in the Prime Minister's Work for the Dole Awards. What you have achieved brings credit, not only to yourselves, but to the whole Burdekin region – and it allows me to indulge myself in a bit of backslapping for our own community.
Well done.
Today is a day for celebration – it is a time for a party – not for long speeches so with congratulations again to Mission Australia, to the participants and to the Gudjuda Corporation, I'll let you get back to the party.