Contributed by Paulette Steele
This year we had the largest number of Pride of Workmanship Award recipients since we started this program up again in 2020. We had 16 nominations including employees, volunteers and one business owner and of couse these all became recipients of the award as well. Anyone who is nominated for doing that bit extra, going that bit further in their work is automatically a recipient as this isn’t a competition to see who is the best. They all are doing their best work in the business or organization they’ll with.
The event was held at the Maleny sub branch RSL hall on Wednesday night 31st August and we had 75 people attending this year. The night was filled with such an upbeat and cheerful ambience and our MC this year was our youngest and newest member to Maleny Rotary Club, Jared Ashcroft, who did a splendid job especially considering it was his first time doing it. We’ve already nominated him to do it again next year. Jared also happens to be a recipient of a Pride of Workmanship award back in 2004 at 18 years of age.
What our club loves about the Pride of Workmanship awards is not just all the smiling faces and appreciation that they’ve been nominated by their peers to receive one, it’s also the pleasure we have in walking around the town talking to the various businesses and organizations. There are about three of our members who walk around the various streets and wander down laneways to talk to as many of these as we possibly can. It generally takes us a few weeks to do this as by the time we stop and chat to various business people, the time has flown.
Another thing we enjoy is we learn of the changes in the last year, businesses that have changed ownerships and new businesses that have popped up. It’s definitely by personally speaking face to face and engaging with as many people as we possibly can, that we gain as many nominations as we do.
Because we obviously can’t get around to every business and organization in the Maleny district incorporating Witta, Reesevill, Conondale etc, this year we sent out about 200 emails. Interestingly enough, we received only one inquiry back. So, it just goes to show that the personal touch of talking to people directly is still the best method of communication.