Palmwoods
District News

November
1998

Page 1

Staff recognised

WHEN Tropico Fruits site manager John Walmsley presented the factory’s first attitude and commitment awards to six staff members on October 7, it was just one of a series of firsts for the Palmwoods factory.

Representatives from the factory’s chemical supplier also attended the presentations to hand out certificates to staff who had completed a chemical training course.

And the factory, which employs 37 full time and part time employees, stopped work to hold a presentation barbecue lunch for employees - another first.

Tropico, which is solely owned by Berri, supplies much of Queensland’s Daily Juice, much of which is produced from district fruit, when in season.

During the presentation, Mr Walmsley announced that: "The amount of fruit we’ve put through in the first quarter is 80% up on last year.'

He said the attitude and commitment awards would be held on a regular basis to recognise the efforts of employees. Winners were nominated by their peers and would be able to win, monthly and quarterly and prizes, including a dinner out or a weekend away.

He said the factory was also working on training programs for staff, with the aim of having a TAFE course created, where staff could acquire a formal qualification, gaining a range of skills.

"For us - it means more skilled workers.'

And while benefiting staff in their current positions, they would also be able to take recognised qualifications on to other jobs further down the track.

Mr Walmsley said they were proud of both their staff and the safety levels which had been acquired in the factory.

Winners whose mates nominated them for the factory’s first awards were: Bev Humphreys, Kim Kruger, Warren Crosthwaite, Wayne Fisher, Robert Siver and Peter Thoroughgood.

Ecolab (factory chemical supplier) state manager Peter Holland and trainer Martin Caulfield attended the function. Mr Holland presented certificates to employees who successfully completed the recent chemical handling course: Heather Jones, Deborah Bott, Warren Crosthwaite, Eugene Montgomery, Mike Harding, Robert Siver, Stephen Parkes, Garret Houghton, Jason Fisher, Nicole O’Neill, Val White, Tina Ensbey, Wayne Fisher, Marion Mehalec, Mick Clayton, Alison Stewart, David Franklin, Steven Cox, Tony Ensbey, Lynne Slade, Ben Atkinson, Peter Dewar, Andrew Rogers, Bev Humphreys, Paul Johnston and Kim Kruger.

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