Amelia Rix Award

History

The CBS Amelia Rix Award was established in 2003 by the Executive Director of Community Bridging Services (CBS) Inc, Freddie Brincat OAM, to commemorate the courage and determination of former Jobnet client Amelia Rix in her efforts to secure employment. This achievement was far from easy for Amelia, and involved a number of years of pre-employment training and work experience placements before she eventually found regular paid employment as a car yard attendant. Amelia sadly passed away in February 2003.

“I became involved in supporting Amelia through community recreation and other life experiences in around 1992, when she was about 14 years old. Her positive attitude and love of life and people was a reflection of her parents (the late Barbara Rix OAM and Ted Rix). Over this time other staff worked closely with Amelia. Out of the sad and hurtful experience of Amelia’s passing, Barb found a way to make good, by establishing this Award dedicated to Amelia’s memory, to help other people to be happier by recognising their strengths and successes. ”
Freddie Brincat OAM

Employees with a Disability Prove Their Value

 The CBS Inc. Amelia Rix Award is held in memory of the late Amelia Rix who was a long-term participant in our Community Bridging Services (CBS) Inc. Jobnet Employment Program.  CBS Inc. established the Award in 2003 for other Jobnet participants with a disability, who show similar determination and spirit to Amelia in finding and keeping a regular job in open employment.  The event recognizes and acknowledges people who have achieved their goals through determination and perseverance. Nominees need to be successful in gaining employment and participate in other volunteer and community work.

This year the Award ceremony was held at the Adelaide Entertainment Centre, on 15/11/18, with 110 people in attendance.  Entertainment was provided by artist Linda McCarthy.

There were ten nominees for the 2018 Amelia Rix Award – Chris Battye, Samantha Campbell, Scott Grant, Zoe Michalanney, Matthew Morton, Michael Nettle, Debra Phillis, Matthew Ray, Paul Watson and Dylan Williams. The winner of the Award was Michael Nettle and he received $1,000.  The runner up was Zoe Michalanney and she received $400.  Encouragement Awards were also given out.

Approximately half of the nominees were from rural regions of SA, like Mannum, Port Lincoln, Port Augusta, the Riverland and Whyalla. They are employed in a variety of fields, e.g. retail, administration, production, driving, maintenance and snake catching and their community work includes the SES, Meals on Wheels, animal care, conservation, sport and hospitality.

Freddie said “All winners from the past have gone on to become successful employees who continue to make a positive contribution to their communities. All they needed was a start from others who could see their loyalty, commitment and potential. At CBS Inc. we are committed to employing staff with a disability and results of a recent anonymous survey of our employees indicated 29.4% of our 170 staff have a declared disability.”

CBS Inc. is a recognised leader in the provision of support for people with a disability in the areas of open employment, further education, the arts and recreation. We are a not-for-profit organisation, support people with a disability achieve job success by focussing on their strengths and interests.

The generous sponsors of the 2018 Amelia Rix Award were also recognised at the ceremony.

Anyone wishing to donate to the Amelia Rix Award, to help keep it going, can do so via the PayPal link or contact Caroline Manetta on 8207 1233.

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