VIC — WorkFocus Australia celebrates three finalists and a winner at the 2021 ARPA Awards
WorkFocus Australia is celebrating four of its Victorian team being recognised for their outstanding work in 2021 supporting clients across the state to better health and work outcomes.
At the virtual ARPA VIC 2021 Excellence in Workplace Rehabilitation Awards ceremony, held on 12 November 2021, Stephanie Christou was announced the winner of the Best New Starter, Original Employer Award. Steph began a student placement at WorkFocus Australia in October 2020. Since then, Steph’s early career has flourished. Having quickly expressed a keen interest in developing her occupational rehabilitation skillset Steph jumped into numerous training courses, including training to deliver an early intervention psychological service. Steph was also commended in this award for her dedication to advocating the Health Benefits of Good Work to her clients as well as her clinical understanding, strong communication and rapport building skills.
Stephanie Christou thank you speech
Second in the VIC team to be recognised for their work was Karla Sooknandan, finalist for the Outstanding Achievement in RTW Award, psychological claim. Karla was recognised for her growth and dedication to her role, becoming a Team Leader in just three years since starting a student placement in 2017. Karla was commended for championing a holistic approach to workplace rehabilitation and was recognised for going over and above to support regional and isolated clients, clocking up countless hours on the road. That saw Karla truly live the VIC team’s mantra of ensuring ‘no client gets left behind’.
The next finalist in the VIC team was, Matthew Hrisovergi, who was nominated for the Best New Starter Award. Matt was recognised for embodying and advocating the principals of good work and its associated health benefits, which has led to phenomenal return to work results for Matt’s clients. Matt’s thirst for continuous improvement and learning over his first nine months was also recognised.
Finally, Workfocus Australia VIC’s own Business Manager, Ben Lingard, was also recognised as a finalist in the Exceptional Leadership Award. Ben’s passion to provide outstanding recovery and RTW for each client was recognised as both the hallmark trait of his successful leadership and the cornerstone of his achievements. Ben’s drive to develop his team through training, mentoring and a relentless focus on RTW best practice has seen his team of consultants’ now help Victorians recover and achieve RTW at the best industry rate, exceeding all-provider RTW results.
When asked about the finalists, Ben stated “I am extremely proud of our finalists this year. This recognition is the result of working tirelessly with each and every client to improve outcomes in their client’s work and life. We strive to give each of our new starters the support they need to flourish in their role as a Workplace Rehabilitation Consultant. To have a finalist and a winner in Victoria for the New Starter Awards reiterates the path we set our consultants on from the outset – giving them the best start to their professional careers possible! Karla, Matt and Steph should be proud of themselves and each other”.
On Steph winning the Best New Starter Award, Ben highlighted that “Steph in particular has demonstrated her versatility as a consultant across the most recent 12 months; increasing her capacity and skillset to meet the needs of OES and NES clients, for both physical and psychological injuries. We are thrilled to see Steph be awarded the worthy winner for the 2021 Best New Starter category.”
Congratulations Steph, Karla, Matt and Ben, and the whole WorkFocus Australia VIC team for your dedication to supporting people daily to build better lives. To watch the full recording of the awards visit ARPA VIC Excellence in Workplace Rehabilitation Awards 2021.
