Winner of the Inaugural Perkins Award: Ms Pauline Frick

In a unanimous decision by the Judging Panel, Ms Pauline Frick, Manager of the Family Relationships Service Program at Centacare Adelaide, was announced the winner of the inaugural Perkins Award during the Official Dinner of the Catholic Welfare Australia Annual Conference held on Wednesday, 21 August 2002.

The award was presented by NSW Regional Manager of Catholic Church Insurance Ltd (CCI), Mr Edd Branigan. CCI are the Official Sponsors of the Catholic Welfare Australia Awards.

The members of the Judging Panel were: Assoc. Prof. Peter Camilleri, Rector, Signadou Campus, Australian Catholic University; Sr Meredith Evans, rsm (Board Member of Catholic Welfare Australia); and, Fr Clem Kilby, Episcopal Vicar for Welfare, Archdiocese of Hobart & former Director of Centacare Tasmania.

The Perkins Award is designed to recognise the achievements of an individual who has shown: outstanding commitment to service; service exemplary to others; service contributing to the overall goals of the organisation or program.

Members of the Judging Panel made the following comments regarding their selection:

“In this Year of the Outback, Pauline Frick’s passionate commitment to the development of rural and regional communities is to be applauded. She has spent the majority of her family and professional life being amongst people in these rural areas. She has consequently had a huge personal investment in confronting some of the worst effect of economic rationalism by working with many others to enhance both individual’ and communities’ capacities for self-empowerment.”

“I have chosen this person because of the breadth of her influence over many geographical areas and inculcating a variety of services. Many people have been affected and led by her actions. By her individual efforts she developed organisational spirit and structure which allows excellent, professional work to continue even without her personal presence.”

Two of the Catholic Welfare Australia Awards categories were not judged, the Award for Excellence in Service (Organisational) and the Award for Most Innovative Program, due to the small number of nominees received in this its first year of operation. 

Ms Frick was presented with a Commemorative Shield, which will be returned for next year’s Award winner; a Commemorative Trophy, as her own personal keepsake; and a cheque for $750.00.

For further information please call: Jackie Brady, Communications Officer, 0417 220 779