Southern Ports has won the public sector category of the 2022 Australian Defence Force WA Employer Support Awards, for support offered to Port of Albany's Deputy Harbour Master and Marine Pilot, LCDR Jean Naudé, in his role as a reservist.
The awards are designed to formally recognise civilian employers committed to supporting reservists in their workplace. They acknowledge those workplaces that have gone above and beyond for reservist employees over a sustained period, or for a special effort to enable the employee to complete Reserve commitments.
Chief Operating Officer Keith Wilks collected the award on behalf of Southern Ports at a presentation ceremony held in August.
"We are proud to employ a reservist and believe we offer a workplace that fosters reservist participation. We are acutely aware that these employees may have particular needs and that it is our role to assist our reservists to balance their civilian employment with their Defence role as much as possible".
Together with their full-time colleagues, reservists make an enormous contribution to our nation's security. Through their experience and training, they gain valuable skills and knowledge that is transferrable to their civilian careers.
"The leadership, teamwork, management and other personal and professional skills that reservists can bring to an organisation are extremely beneficial and welcomed by Southern Ports. Having employees with exposure to broader geo-political issues and impacts in beneficial to the strategic thinking and risk awareness of Southern Ports, Keith said.
Keith also highlighted the commitment of the Albany marine team, in supporting their colleague by backfilling the roster while Jean (one of two shift workers covering the critical function of Marine Pilot), was completing his Reservist commitments.
