Staff Persons of the Year 2006

All of our staff are legends... but we aim to recognize those who excel and push the boundaries. As HR Manager, I felt that a monthly staff incentive scheme would achieve many goals:

• Reward outstanding performance
• Recognise high levels of presentation and pride
• Motivate individuals to attain goals and targets
• Promote teamwork and team goals
• Promote the vision and global aims of Australia Zoo's development
• Assist with staff performance reviews and development
• Assist to encourage attendance at our monthly all staff meetings

Senior Managers formally nominate staff from their sections each month in the monthly awards. Staff often input and suggest to their relevant managers who they think should be nominated also. Sometimes you may even find Senior Managers cross nominating! All completed nomination forms are presented to Wes (Zoo Director) and Frank (General Manager) who select/fight over/debate who the winner each month should be. Hence, we sometimes end up with several winners in some months.

Monthly nominees all receive a prize and also have the embarrassment of being seen on the big screen and are then asked to 'come on down' when nominations are announced in the Crocoseum, at the monthly staff meeting. Winners generally receive prizes such as a $100 dinner voucher at a local restaurant or perhaps a $100 Myer voucher.

At the end of each year, Terri and Wes with input from the Senior Management team, elect the WINNERS for STAFF PERSON/S of the YEAR. At our all staff Christmas party, we all eagerly wait to see who is chosen! And the prize is... a TRIP to DISNEYLAND... Wooo-hoo! I couldn't believe my ears when I was first informed! As the program evolves, I will keep you up to date with the major prizes and the winners!

Sandy Whitehead - HR Manager

2006 Staff Awards

Steve Irwin Award 2006
Another brand new award, the Steve Irwin Award was created this year in honour of our boss and the world's original Wildlife Warrior. The award is for a dedication, loyalty and service to Australia Zoo, and was for the first time awarded to Joy Murray from our Retail Department. Joy is also a long-time member of the Australia Zoo team, and a very valuable one for the immense commitment she has shown to the Zoo and to her work. Congratulations, Joy!

The Director's Award 2006
This is a new award in 2006. The Director's Award allows our Zoo Director, Wes Mannion, to recognise someone whom he has watched throughout the year as they have excelled in their work, shown immense dedication to the Zoo, always gets in and gets the job done, and helps others to succeed in their own work. In its inaugural year the Director's Award went to our curator Kelsey Mostyn, who has been part of the Australia Zoo team for over fifteen years and is a key member and great and constant contributor to the success of its operations. Well done, Kelsey!

Staff Person of the Year 2006
Broek Stevens has been at Australia Zoo for 3 years, and in her time has worked quietly but to a consistently high standard. Her latest role finds her supervising the Croc Lair retail store at the front of the Zoo, and with its high rate of traffic (particularly at the end of the day with all of those last-minute shoppers!), this is no mean feat. Broek has been recognised due to her dedication to the Zoo, her efficiency, her excellent customer service skills and her tenacity in taking on this new role and succeeding as well as she has. As part of her award, Broek will be off to Disneyland next year! Congratulations, Broek - have a great time!

Movers and Shakers 2006
This award is given to members of the Zoo Crew who have performed particularly well throughout the year, bringing their departments or work forward in various ways. The staff members nominated in this category are highly motivated and dedicated individuals, bringing skills and enthusiasm to their respective jobs and departments that sets them apart.

This year, the nominees for the Movers and Shakers Award included Michael Hornby (Wildlife Warriors Worldwide), Michelle Cameron (Cleaning Department), Greg Black (Photography Department), Gail Gipp (Australian Wildlife Hospital), Matt O’Connor (Human Resources), Susan White (Customer Service Manager), Mark Niven (Building Services), Sarah Nyberg (Australian Wildlife Hospital), Natasha Banville (Koala Department) and the entire Big Cats team.
The winners were Gail Gipp and Michael Hornby. Congratulations!

Quiet Achievers 2006
The Quiet Achiever Award is presented to a group of individuals at the Zoo who have excelled in their roles and achieved great things in their fields or departments, but who might go unnoticed throughout the year due to their manner of getting things done quickly, quietly and without a fuss.

The nominees for this award in 2006 were Neville Smith (Building Services), Robert Pagliarino (Grounds and Landscaping), George Elordi (Grounds and Landscaping), Jodie-Lee Ewings (Primates Department), Jodie Hughes (Birds Department), Cameron Chapman (Artist), Michael Mortimer (Reptiles Department), Brian Herbert (Crocs Department), Robert Joyes (Elephant Department), Ron Wiskar (Customer Service Volunteer) and Kate Morley (Kids Zoo Department).
Congratulations to our winner, Cameron Chapman!

View Staff Person of the year Hall Of Fame