Heritage CEO Wins Queensland Anti-Violence Award

Heritage Building Society’s CEO John Minz was last night announced as the Queensland winner of Australia’s CEO Challenge Race for his passionate campaigning against domestic and family violence.

In a special touch, Mr Minz received the award in Brisbane last night from Canadian educator and campaigner Dr Michael Kaufman, one of the three men who co-founded the White Ribbon Campaign in Canada more than 20 years ago.

The CEO Challenge Race concept asks the leaders of prominent organisations to accept nomination into a race” that takes place between May and November each year to raise awareness and funds in support of action against domestic violence. This year, Mr Minz was up against two fellow racers in Queensland Rail CEO Paul Scurrah and Accenture Senior Manager Bill Skipper.

As well as raising more than $15,000, Mr Minz’s campaign used a wide range of activities to support the effort to eliminate the scourge of domestic violence from our society.

The activities included launching a White Ribbon Camellia, which is now on sale at Bunnings outlets’ organising a series of newspaper articles profiling positive role models; theming the Heritage float at the Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers around the campaign against domestic violence; organising briefing sessions for key management staff around how to deal with the impacts of domestic violence in the workplace; distribution of posters and brochures through all branches; stories in internal and external newsletters; and sponsorship of team entries in sporting events with jerseys promoting the campaign.

In accepting the award, Mr Minz praised the wholehearted commitment of Heritage staff and the people of the Toowoomba community in supporting his efforts.

Submitted by  Andrew Fox

Manager Public Relations

Heritage Building Society