Eight New South Wales employers were recognised for their exceptional support of Australian Defence Force (ADF) Reservists at the Defence Reserves Support Council annual awards ceremony at Doltone House, Hyde Park, Sydney on 10 April 2019.
Acting Head of Reserve and Youth Division, Brigadier Duncan Hayward CSC said the awards allowed Defence to acknowledge employers who had been particularly supportive of their employees undertaking Reserve service.
"It is a huge testament to these businesses to be acknowledged by their staff as an employer of choice," Brigadier Hayward said.
O'Brien, Connors and Kennett Lawyers was named winner of the Employer Support Award for the Small Private Sector category. They were nominated by Australian Army Reservist Lieutenant and Associate Lawyer Clare Wainwright.
Accepting the award, Mr Bob Warren, Principal of O'Brien, Connors and Kennett Lawyers, said he proudly told clients that he employed an Army Reserve Officer.
"We have supported Clare throughout her commissioning process, which involved several blocks of training over a two year period," Mr Warren said.
"The training Clare received through the Army has greatly benefitted her civilian employment.
"It has provided her with outstanding leadership abilities, flexibility and adaptability under pressure, the ability to make decisions and act with integrity.
"We would strongly recommend other employers acknowledge the exceptional skill set that the Army Reserve has to offer," Mr Warren said.
The National Employer Support Awards will be held at the Australian War Memorial on 18 June 2019. Finalists for the national event are selected from the Employer Support Award Winners from each State and Territory.
