mmg.com.au

Benalla’s Ryan & McNulty Sawmillers has received two awards at the 2012 Victorian Association of Forest Industries (VAFI) annual dinner.

Held each November, the dinner is the peak event for the Victorian forest and wood products industry.

Ryan & McNulty received of two of the five awards this year: the Skills and Training Award; and the Community Engagement Award.

The awards were presented by Victorian Agriculture and Food Security Minister Peter Walsh.

VAFI chief executive Lisa Marty said the awards highlighted the efforts the business had made to ensure its employees had the skills they needed to build rewarding careers, and that it was a good neighbour in its community.

The business was awarded the Skills and Training Award for an ongoing commitment to investing in the skills development of all employees, with nearly every member of its workforce receiving some form of training in 2011-12.

‘‘Ryan & McNulty have shown a strong commitment in investing in the future of the industry by investing in the future of their staff,’’ Ms Marty said.

‘‘Nothing could make this commitment clearer than the fact that 97 per cent of the business’ employees are currently completing a nationally recognised training certificate or degree.’’

This focus on training has a particularly strong safety component, with consultants engaged to develop and implement new safe working procedures. This has involved providing workers with more information on the hazards associated with their roles in the workplace and how to minimise these defined hazards.

No serious injuries have occurred in the past 12 months.

Ms Marty as winner of the Community Engagement Award, Ryan & McNulty clearly made a concerted effort to support local community groups’ projects.

‘‘In the past year the business has given to 22 local groups,’’ she said.

‘‘This included an agreement to fund and support the opening night of the Benalla Festival and ongoing support for the redevelopment of the Benalla Racing Club, including a red gum safety fence.

‘‘On top of this, Ryan & McNulty also donated to five national charity groups.

‘‘Clearly this is a business that deserves to be recognised for its commitment to its local community and its skilled staff.’’

Ms Marty said VAFI appreciated the support of Timber Training Creswick, which sponsored the Skills and Training Award, and Regional Development Victoria, sponsors of the Community Engagement Award.