04 NEWS
THURSDAY 9 MARCH 2023 TORRES NEWS
Local stores commit to caring vision, mission and goals
IBIS service.
Michael Dykes – CEO (standing). Pics supplied.
Not-for-profit remote store operator Community Enterprise Queensland (CEQ) has launched new Vision, Mission and Goals, which focus on working closely with the Indigenous communities it services across North Queensland to create a better future for the next generation. The organisation’s new Vision of Caring, Every Day, Always sets a clear direction for CEQ to reinforce its commitment to be an employer of choice and help communities in the Torres Strait, Cape York and on Palm Island meet their aspirations for a healthier and sustainable future. CEQ Chief Executive Officer Michael Dykes said the words in an organisation’s Vision statement were important. “Our Vision of Caring, Every Day, Always sets out our intentions
on how our business will behave every day,” he said. “Our new Vision statement will influence all aspects of our organisation’s culture, from who we recruit to join the team to how we serve our customers. “CEQ’s intention is to care about all aspects within its influence, every day and always, and we want others to hold us accountable to that.” Mr Dykes said CEQ’s new Vision statement was already guiding changes in the organisation. “We’ve been providing business support to small community-based businesses to help them through some challenges,” he said. “Our direct support of community events has also doubled, while we have even provided replacement household items for a community member whose home
was destroyed by fire.” To support its new Vision, CEQ has also updated their Mission and Goals. Mr Dykes said the launch of the organisation’s new strategic direction was an important milestone and the beginning of a new chapter for CEQ, coinciding with the appointment of new Board members and his own CEO appointment last year. “We’re not just about putting products on the shelf to maximise sales,” he said. “There’s a responsibility at CEQ that’s over and above profit. “Our Board has been very clear about the importance of our role in supporting community aspirations to be healthy and sustainable into the future. “CEQ is an important employer in local Indigenous communities,
Chie Elu at the registers.
and can play a key role in supporting the community to make healthy choices, creating jobs and developing sustainable enterprise. “This will be our way of showing that we will care, every day, always. “We have a role to play in supporting the health and wellbeing of our team members and customers, and we’ve got some exciting plans for the future that will demonstrate this new vision in action. “CEQ has done an excellent job in continuing to provide essential services to many remote communities over a long period of time. “These new set of principles by which we’ll operate will further position CEQ as a forward-thinking, collaborative organisation, preparing itself for the future, with the wellbeing of our customers and
team remaining at the forefront of what we do.” • Vision: Caring, Every Day, Always • Mission: To provide essential goods and services that support communities to be healthy and sustainable. • Goals: • Healthier more resilient communities • Committed, skilled team members • Robust systems, process and supply • Capacity of change and expansion • Strong, sustainable business model • Collaborative, supportive relationships. For more information on CEQ, visit www.ceqld.org.au
Health and wellbeing forum identifies need for community-led approaches
Kaurareg Land and Sea Ranger CONSERVATION AND ECO MANAGEMENT TRAINEESHIPS ▪ ▪
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12 Traineeships available. Gain six months paid employment while earning a Certificate 1 in conservation and land management (CALM). PPE and all required tools provided Open to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander residents of Thursday, Horn and Hammond.
APPLICATIONS CLOSE FRIDAY 31ST MARCH 2023 For more information, please contact: Saliman: 0476 889 214 or the KNTAC office: 07 4090 3861 This training is proudly funded by the Queensland Government through the Skilling Queenslanders for Work initiative. It will be
delivered by COE in partnership with KNTAC.
COLLABORATION: Falen Passi, Sam Mills & Patricia Yusia. Pic supplied. The Torres Strait Regional Authority (TSRA) hosted the Torres Strait and Northern Peninsula Area Regional Healthy Communities Forum 2023, highlighting the region’s health and wellbeing priorities in Cairns late last month. Community representatives, Elders, regional leaders, health industry experts and stakeholders attended the three-day forum focused on preventative health and the patient journey. TSRA Acting Chairperson and Member for Badhu, Horace Baira, opened the forum and said
they hoped to continue to work together. “The passion, input and perspectives shared across the three days included recommendations and outcomes set to inform the TSRA’s future investment,” Mr Baira said. “The forum has helped identify how the TSRA can strengthen partnerships across government and community-controlled health care sectors to better help our people.” Forum participants workshopped key challenges and opportunities to collectively put forward a number of priorities for
the TSRA to consider and action. “A key element echoed throughout the forum was the need for service providers, policy-makers and government to work together, not separately,” Mr Baira said. “Moving forward, the TSRA will continue advocating for a collaborative and community-led approach to improve health outcomes in our region.” The TSRA extended its gratitude to all forum participants and contributors. Learn more about the TSRA at www.tsra.gov.au or follow us on Facebook.
