Consumer Protection Awards winners and finalists

Left to right: Sharryn Jackson, Executive Director Community Legal WA; Hon. John Quigley, MLA, Attorney General; Minister for Commerce; Andrew Ring, Education Programs Manager, Red Nose; Jodie Smyth, Project Officer, Indigo Junction Incorporated; and Callum Hunter, Journalist.

Rona Okely Award - Winner: Sharryn Jackson

Sharryn first began work as the women’s officer at the Trades and Labour Council of WA. She then went to the Miscellaneous Worker’s Union where she advocated to improve the working conditions for many. Sharryn was elected twice as a Federal Member of Parliament, supporting her constituents on issues such as Centrelink debts, immigration matters and better community services.

Sharryn is now Executive Director at Community Legal WA (previously Community Legal Centre Association), representing 28 community legal centres (CLCs) in Western Australia. CLCs provide free or low cost legal help and education to their communities. Under her leadership Community Legal WA has changed its name and rebranded, with a new website providing clients a ‘one-stop’ shop for information and referrals to a CLC. Her work contributes to long term outcomes where clients are less stressed, have increased financial well-being and reduced social exclusion.

Sharryn's testimonial: "I was surprised and delighted to be nominated for and to receive the Rona Okely Award 2020. I had the privilege of meeting Rona many years ago through her work with the Gosnells Community Legal Centre. She was a champion for the rights of people and advocated for a fairer and better world. It is an honour to receive an award in her name.

While I have been given the individual attention that comes with being the finalist, I am fortunate to work with a small, committed team at Community Legal WA (the peak body for community legal centres in WA) and it is our collective work that has been recognised by this award.

The community legal sector is passionate about people’s access to justice, for them to be informed of their rights and responsibilities under the law and to be assisted when they need it. Supporting the community legal sector to achieve its objectives is also a privilege.

The acknowledgement of our contribution through the awards process was heart-warming and motivating for us all. Unfortunately, the advent of the Covid pandemic prevented the usual award ceremony that so many of us enjoy annually. At Community Legal WA we watched and enjoyed the virtual presentation put on by Consumer Protection (accompanied by morning tea). I also appreciated the special presentation luncheon with other award finalists, the Minister and the Commissioner!

Congratulations to Consumer Protection for conducting these annual awards. There are many committed people in the community who work for a fairer and safer world. These awards provide a rare opportunity to recognise and celebrate their contribution."

Richard (Dick) Fletcher Award - Winner: Indigo Junction Incorporated

Indigo Junction Incorporated (Indigo Junction) have been providing services to Midland and surrounding areas for 39 years. With 38 staff including eight Aboriginal staff members, the organisation offers education, welfare services and early intervention and prevention programs for young people, families and individuals.

Indigo Junction’s Karnany Resource Centre provides holistic support to people facing crisis and disadvantage. Staff assist clients daily by providing food, food vouchers, pharmacy vouchers, fuel vouchers and help with bills. Clients are also provided with information and education about scams, payday loans and rent-to-buy schemes. In the 2018–19 financial year the centre assisted 2,228 people. Two of the Karnany Resource Centre programs of particular note are the:

• Strong Father’s Program, providing mentoring, case-management and support to Aboriginal fathers and fathers of Aboriginal children; and
• Money Support Hub which includes a financial counsellor and financial literacy worker to help people overcome financial hardship

Kidsafe WA Award - Winner: Red Nose

Red Nose is Australia’s leading authority on safe sleep and safe pregnancy, and provides bereavement support for families affected by the death of a baby or child. In Western Australia, Red Nose operates the RROSIAC (Reducing the Risk of SIDS and Sleep Accidents in Aboriginal Communities) program, aiming to lower the level of Sudden Unexpected Death in Infancy (SUDI). Death from SUDI amongst Aboriginal infants is reported to be four times as common as that in non-Aboriginal populations.

Red Nose’s Pepi-Pod RROSIAC program is the first of its kind in Western Australia. It was initially introduced into the Kimberley community as it recorded the highest infant mortality rate and increased rates of low birthweight and premature babies being born. The Pepi-Pod is a portable, small purpose-built plastic tub designed to reduce the risk of SUDI. The tub creates a safe sleeping space for infants aged up to four months when in co-sleeping situations. The success of the RROSIAC program has led to Aboriginal mothers approaching their child health nurse seeking Pepi-Pods for new mothers in their communities.

Ruby Hutchison Media Award - Winner: Callum Hunter

Callum began work as a cadet journalist, writing feature editorials for the South Western Times in May 2018. After seven months he was promoted to reporting on a range of topics including consumer affairs. Scam stories became his specialty, where he contacted Consumer Protection’s South West office weekly to get the latest scoops and warnings. Callum’s old-school investigative journalism led to two front page stories on the South Western Times and the Bunbury Herald which together have a combined readership of more than 60,000. Both stories were also syndicated by the West Australian, reaching hundreds of thousands of readers.

The first story centred on an Australind retiree who lost more than $2,000 to an advanced National Broadband Network (NBN) fraud scam. The second story covered a South West woman who lost almost $700,000 to an online investment scam – one of the biggest losses ever recorded in the region. Callum’s rapport with the victim inspired her to trust him with detailed facts, allowing him to write an in-depth story warning consumers what to look out for.

Callum's testimonial: "Winning the Ruby Hutchison Media Award has definitely been the highlight of my career so far and served as the ultimate reassurance that I was doing my job well. More than that though, it showed me that my work was being noticed and most importantly, having an impact. During the nomination process, I actually changed fields and the win didn’t go unnoticed by my then new employers. As for the prize money, that went towards new photography gear which has helped me upskill and diversify in my new role. Have a go. I didn’t think I’d win, but then I did…"

Left to right: Dee Quartermaine, Lanie Chopping, Commissioner for Consumer Protection, Hon. John Quigley, Attorney General; Minister for Commerce, Glennys Marsden, Ann-Margaret Walsh, Alan Hynd, Drew Broadfoot

Rona Okely Award - Winner: Glennys Marsdon

For 30 years Glennys has researched and advocated for WA consumers across a wide range of issues. In three years on Consumer Protection’s Consumer Advisory Committee (CAC) Glennys has reviewed issues regarding retirement villages, will banks, student housing, overseas cruises, funeral plans, caravan parks and the Residential Tenancies Act.

Glennys alerted CAC to large scale professional ‘get rich quick’ seminars and even attended several of these day-long events to report on the sales techniques. As a result, Consumer Protection wrote to event organisers to make them aware of their legal obligations and placed staff outside the events to distribute leaflets warning consumers.

Glennys’ 2005 book 50 Ways To Grieve Your Lover reminds widows to be especially aware of scammers during the vulnerable period after a funeral. Her book was taken up by the Australian Red Cross, Solaris Care and has been used by counsellors during the Victorian Bush Fires and the New Zealand Pike Mine disaster, continuing to sell today. She has also run workshops on how to avoid being scammed when self-publishing.

Glennys' testimonial: "For the past seven years I’ve attended the Consumer Protection Awards ceremony to hear from quiet achievers doing great things that enrich our community. Motivating, heart-warming and grounding, the ceremony is my annual reminder about what’s really important in life. It was overwhelming to receive the Rona Okely Award this year given the other nominees, and more importantly having met Rona. I see it as recognition for all the consumers who’ve shared their concerns with The Customers’ Voice over the past three decades. Their openness has allowed us to ensure their voices get heard by key decision makers.

The Award has provided me with new opportunities to remind consumers about the value of speaking up, answering surveys and getting involved when they see an issue in the community. Problems can’t be solved if people don’t hear about them. Many thanks to the Department for all they do to protect us all. If you know someone toiling away in the background to make Perth a safer place I urge you to nominate them."

Finalists: Bev Jowle; Robert Evans

Richard (Dick) Fletcher Award - Winner: Street Law Centre WA Inc

Street Law has operated a specialist community legal service to people experiencing homelessness or to those at risk of experiencing homelessness since 2010.

It co-locates with various homeless persons’ community service providers to provide an accessible, collaborative and holistic approach. Street Law further increases its service delivery through pro bono partnerships with law firms that facilitate the secondment of their graduate law students and junior lawyers.

Street Law is also a partner in the Safe as Houses program, providing free, case-managed legal services to women and children experiencing or at risk of experiencing family violence.

Finalists: Tenancy WA; Goldfields Community Legal Centre

Kidsafe WA Award - Winner: Bolt It Back For Reef

Reef Kite tragically died in October 2015 after a set of drawers fell on him. His mum, Skye Quartermaine, had asked her landlord permission to anchor the drawers to the wall, but was not given approval. Reef’s aunty, Dee Quartermaine, started the ‘Bolt it Back for Reef’ Facebook page to share his story. The page now has more than 2,000 members and is used to raise awareness of the dangers, share tips on restraining furniture and answer questions.

In 2016 Dee obtained sponsorship to host a free community sausage sizzle, balloon release and information stall. Skye has made herself available for numerous TV interviews and in 2018 she teamed up with Take 5 magazine to share Reef’s story.

Dee and Skye have campaigned for law changes that would allow tenants to anchor furniture without requiring landlord approval, provided any damage is repaired. The WA Coroner’s report into Reef’s death made such a recommendation and a bill was introduced into parliament in October 2018 to amend the Residential Tenancies Act.

Finalist: Melanie Mitchell (special commendation)

Ruby Hutchison Media Award - Winner: Erin Parke

Erin reported extensively on the tumultuous operations of cruise company Ahoy Buccaneers, detailing with persistence and tenacity its ongoing issues with seaworthiness, safety and poor treatment of customers. This culminated with the company collapsing in mid-2018, owing millions of dollars to small businesses and booked passengers from across Australia.

The coverage was extensive and across multiple platforms, including television stories, online features, radio news and social media. Erin also became part of a network of ripped off passengers and businesses, some of whom she was able to refer to the local Consumer Protection office for advice.

The stories motivated government agencies to further scrutinise safety practices and helped consumers to make informed decisions as they booked Kimberley holidays.

The coverage was a continuation of Erin’s work advocating for consumers in remote areas of Western Australia, including throwing light on scammers targeting remote Aboriginal consumers, and shoddy second-hard car dealers in Broome. Her stories have distinctively focused on a remote part of Australia where there is less scrutiny of business practices and included vision and voices rarely seen in mainstream, Eastern States media.

Erin's testimonial: "There’s a cash prize!

I wouldn’t be a proper journo if I buried the lead.

There is a very generous cash prize involved with winning the Ruby Hutchison Media Award for Consumer Protection reporting, but also a lot more. It’s great to have stories that empower consumers and expose questionable operators recognised, as a way of honouring the memory of the late WA MP Ruby Hutchison, who sounds like a real character – a single Mum with seven kids who pioneered efforts to stamp out dodgy salesmen and unfair trading practices in this state. What a star!

I was fortunate enough to receive the award in 2019 for a series of stories about a Kimberley cruise ship company that repeatedly breached basic safety requirements and ripped off customers – and eventually went bust.  The stories involved some tense confrontations and lots of outdoors mobile phone filming in sticky Wet Season conditions, so it was a really wonderful surprise to have the series recognised. There’s so much great work being done by journalists to expose scammers and greedy institutions and the human stories involved, and it’s a vital public service. And did I mention… there’s a cash prize!"

Finalists: Ngaarda Media; Carla Hildebrandt

Left to Right: Stewart Windsor, Daniel Emerson, David Hillyard, Nanette Williams, Gemma Mitchell, David Smith, Jeff Michael

Rona Okely Award - Winner: Nanette Williams

Nanette Williams arrived in Karratha in January 1982 and since that time she has been a vital part of the community and its development. Nanette originally moved to the area to help establish the Community Health Centre. The project took six years and tremendous dedication to complete but was ultimately successful.

Nanette's work with the Health Department progressed and she held the roles of Coordinator at the Karratha Community Health Centre, Hospital Administrator and Pilbara Regional Manager. During this time she was also involved in setting up the North West Regional Women’s Association, Women’s Health Centre and the Pilbara Social Justice Council.

After 17 years working for the Health Department, Nanette accepted a role with the Pilbara Community Legal Service as a financial counsellor. After eight years she was appointed Chief Executive Officer and built the organisation from 7 to 30 staff, delivering services from four separate locations across the region.

Nanette's testimonial: "I was deeply honoured to receive the Rona Okely award. I pay tribute to Rona Okely and to her vision for the award and the prestige it has engendered.   My thanks to the Department for the huge role they play in consumer protection and for their work every year in producing and facilitating these esteemed awards.  The awards creatively enable consumer and tenancy advocates to be recognised while also highlighting the availability and importance of consumer protection services in W.A. and the role they play in educating and defending the rights of consumers."

Finalists: Helen Creed; Merv Mancer

Richard (Dick) Fletcher Award - Winner: Consumer Credit Legal Service WA

The Consumer Credit Legal Service is unique in Western Australia as the only community specialist legal service providing free assistance, advice and representation to Western Australian consumers in the areas of: home loans; banking transactions; debt collection; personal loans; motor vehicle finance; credit reporting; and the Australian Consumer Law.

The service commenced operations in 1991 as a specialist, not-for-profit community legal centre, advising West Australians in the area of banking and financial services. They expanded their service 25 years ago to provide advice on consumer law matters. They provide a telephone advice line offering legal advocacy services for people experiencing credit and consumer issues and debt. In the last financial year, 2677 West Australians were provided with their free legal advice.

Consumer Cregit Legal Service (WA) Inc's testimonial: "We were very honoured to be the winner of the Richard (Dick) Fletcher Award for 2018.  CCLSWA rely on a team of well- trained law student volunteers to deliver our service to the public, under the supervision of a small team of committed staff. Their hard work and professionalism is to be commended. The award was a moral boost to the whole team who work very hard to service the community every day."

Finalists: Goldfields Community Legal Centre; Kimberley Money Management Services

Kidsafe WA Award - Winner: Nature Playgrounds

Nature Playgrounds was founded in 2013 after Stewart Winsor’s landscaping company was approached to help build a nature playground project. The plan for the business was to supply safe quality materials to construct their playgrounds, while also providing a much needed supply chain for other businesses.

Nature Playgrounds is now a leader in design, supply and construction of nature based playgrounds for early learning centres, schools, public spaces and private use. Their product range has quickly expanded from the basic logs and steppers to custom forts, musical instruments, hand water pumps, flat packed vegetable/herb gardens and playground games. Now delivering products and services Australia wide, they deliver a safe, quality product that will stand the test of time in a playground setting.

Finalists: Bolt It Back For Reef; Britax Childcare Pty Ltd

Ruby Hutchison Media Award - Winner: Daniel Emerson

Daniel Emerson graduated from Curtin University in 2002, beginning his career at Community Newspaper Group in 2003 before securing a cadetship at The West Australian in 2005. He worked as a rounds man and online journalist before being posted to State Parliament bureau. He left briefly to travel and then returned to The West Australian and state politics. In 2011, he became the President of The West Australian parliamentary press gallery.

Daniel has followed the progress of ‘Project Sunbird’ – a joint effort between the then Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety and WA Police and reported on the challenges facing the future of the project.

Ruby Hutchison Media Award - Winner: Noongar Radio

Noongar Radio (100.9FM) is Perth’s only Aboriginal community radio station which provides a safe space for Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people to listen, communicate and share their stories. Noongar Radio provides diverse programming suitable for listeners of all ages and is home to a family of producers, staff, broadcasters and volunteers alike. Station hosts include Jeff Michael and Perth’s first Aboriginal voice of Australia, Jeremy Garlett. Music of all genres is played, particularly First Nations music, and the station has a wide variety of listeners.

Over several years, Noongar Radio has offered Consumer Protection a dedicated weekly spot on their highest rating program, Drive with Jeff Michael. The show aims to promote fairness and equality among its listeners.

Finalists: Bret Christian and Ben Dickinson;  Helen Shield