Two local Queensland timber businesses — Kennedy’s Timbers and the Maryborough Cross Arm Mill — have been recognised at the Endeavour Foundation’s Business Excellence and Impact Awards, each taking major awards for creating meaningful employment pathways for people with disability. The ceremony, attended by 300 industry leaders, advocates and entrepreneurs, honoured organisations and individuals whose partnerships, programs and innovations help people with disability live fuller, more independent lives.
Kennedy’s Timbers received the Partnership Excellence Award for a long‑running collaboration with Endeavour Foundation that integrates people with disability into production for nationwide architectural projects. “Well, we certainly didn’t expect to be a finalist, and now a winner,” said Michael Kennedy, of Kennedy’s Timbers. “Initially, we didn’t know how to navigate the partnership or what was involved in hosting people with disability at our site, but we were shown the ropes and now wouldn’t work without our Endeavour crew. They do such great work with us.”
“We now know what’s possible, and we can’t wait to continue this partnership. “In our case, we’ve also found people really enjoy working with timber because it’s an organic material, and it’s creating products that are so magnificent; they gain a real sense of achievement from turning a lump of wood into a piece of timber that will go into an architectural home,” Kennedy said. “We would encourage other employers to take our experience on board and partner with Endeavour Foundation because great things can come out of it.”
Meanwhile, Maryborough Cross Arm Mill won the Results That Shine Award after producing more than 47,000 timber crossarms annually — totalling more than 5.8 million kilograms of timber — and repurposing offcuts into stakes and pallets while providing supported employees with training and clear pathways to mainstream employment. “This win is not only about our team, but everything we achieve together,” according to Russell Shipp, site manager at the mill. “In terms of providing support for people with disability, we are passionate about the pathways our employees take when with us from supported to mainstream employment, and I’m happy to say the employees with us now are excited for that next step.”
“Timber work is hands-on, and with that comes a great opportunity for employees to create, replicate and build strong elements to aid even bigger works. It’s physical, it’s exciting, and we are just so honoured to have achieved this award.”
Endeavour Foundation’s Head of Philanthropy, Sharon Wood, said the awards were created to spotlight individuals within the community, allowing them to shine and be recognised for their impressive contributions on an industry stage: “From researchers who are paving the way in inclusive humanoid robotics, an organisation who’s helped us create Accessible Tourism videos in the Whitsundays, a business boosting fundraising dollars by donating $1 for every work hour, a family who’s helped to donate a tractor for our Bundaberg farm, or another business who’s creating job opportunities and sustainable work solutions at the same time … and the list goes on.”
Clarissa Brandt, Acting CEO of Timber Queensland, commended Kennedy’s Timbers and the Maryborough Cross Arm Mill for taking a lead in increasing workforce diversity. “Having the Endeavour Foundation’s first Business Excellence and Impact Awards recognise two timber industry-related businesses highlights the workforce development opportunities for businesses willing to look outside the box,” Brandt said. “They’ve created a win‑win situation – developing a capable and committed workforce in a tight labour market and offering opportunities to learn and grow to individuals who often face challenges finding suitable employment.”
Brandt said Timber Queensland last year partnered with Jobs Queensland to develop a workforce plan for the Wide Bay region: “This plan prioritises working with people with a disability to tap into the potential of an underutilised talent pool and implementing innovative strategies for career development,” she said. “We are thrilled that Kennedy’s Timbers and the Maryborough Cross Arm Mill have been recognised for providing direction and showcasing how to do the job.”
Other winners included Shamrock Civil (Charity Champion), Chloe Haidenhofer (Advocacy in Action) and Komatsu Australia (Community Leadership). The ceremony also acknowledged six long‑standing partners that have supported Endeavour Foundation for 25 years or more, including Woolworths, Payne Print, Henkel, Clorox, Podravka and Mackay Sugars. Endeavour Foundation encouraged businesses interested in employing people with disability to explore its programs and supports via endeavour.com.au.
