National recognition for Hillside local
Victoria Media Release
Thursday, 28 January 2010
It may not come as a surprise to those who know her, but Hillside resident, Sarah Cridland, was shocked to learn she had won the 2010 Centrelink Australia Day Achievement Award for Excellence in Customer Service.
Centrelink Chief Executive Officer, Carolyn Hogg, announced the Centrelink Australia Day Achievement Award recipients at a ceremony in Canberra.
These awards honour a select group of people at Centrelink who excel in their work and provide vital and innovative support to the community.
Sarah was one of just 22 staff to receive an Australia Day Achievement Award - from over 27,000 staff.
"I had no idea I was even nominated!" said Sarah, who was recognised for her work as a Centrelink Community Engagement Officer (CCEO) in Western Victoria's Community Team, where she has worked since its inception in 2006.
"One of the main objectives of the role of a CCEO is to assist people at crisis point - to go out to community agencies that our most vulnerable customers access.
"For example, we visit drug and alcohol detox centres, hospitals, psychiatric units and housing organisations," said Sarah, who cites her involvement in the evolution of the Community Team as a career highlight.
"I am so proud to receive this award. I am very passionate about the type of customers the Community Team looks after and I’m very pleased to be working for Centrelink in this role."
Centrelink Business Manager, Jennifer Rundell, has praised Sarah’s dedication and work ethic.
"Sarah stood out amongst other nominations with her highly professional manner - she often works alone, developing rapport with disadvantaged customers and external agencies," Jennifer said.
Sarah recently went to visit a homeless man in a psychiatric unit who was not in receipt of any Government payments.
"My role was to ensure that this man was granted a Centrelink payment, which in turn meant he could be referred to a housing organisation that could help him find a place to stay. It's only then he can start to address some of the issues he faced," Sarah said.
"It is challenging and I am grateful for the support I receive from my family at the end of a taxing day.
"But perhaps a greater challenge is knowing what we do is only scratching the surface - I am always wishing I could do more."
Sarah is, however, feeling positive about 2010.
"I'm particularly optimistic about the government’s focus on homelessness, and the role Centrelink's Community Team will play in addressing this."
For more information, telephone the relevant Centrelink media contact.