18 April 2007
Corrections Minister Hon Damien O'Connor presented five Corrections staff with Long Service Awards today, describing their experience, wisdom and ability to judge people and situations as invaluable.
Between them, the four men and one woman have 133 years employment with the prison service - the two longest serving members of the group, Tony Coyle and Bryan McMurray signing on 35 years ago, one day apart.
After starting their careers as Prison Officer Cadets, they are now employed as National Crime Prevention Manager and Assistant General Manager Public Prisons Service respectively.
During his 21 years with the Department, Alex Whitefield has moved through the ranks from Corrections Officer to his current role as Business Technology Support Analyst. With a father, two brothers and stepmother working in Corrections his choice of career was not surprising.
The other two staff members to receive awards for 21 years service were Bridget McDonald and Don Owen. The only one to have joined the Department in a non-custodial role, Mrs McDonald is now a Head Office Senior Project Officer.
Crime Prevention Information Capability Project Manager Don Owen was awarded the 2003 Chief Executive's Scholarship to complete an MBA thesis titled "Intelligence capabilities in Corrections' environments".
Joining the Minister at the ceremony was Corrections Chief Executive Barry Matthews who described the five recipients as dedicated, hard working, loyal staff members.
"The dedication of our long serving staff is extremely important," Mr Matthews said.
"Not only is their organisational knowledge and experience invaluable, but they play an important role in ensuring that our policies are effective and that Corrections does its best at all times when working in a challenging environment."
ENDS
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