Recognising NFP Office Heroes : FABO Awards Announced

The Manager of the Aboriginal Resource Centre in Port August, South Australia, Vicki Dodd, has won the top prize in the inaugural FABO Awards that recognise the contributions of people who work in the back office positions in Australia’s Not for Profit organisations and social enterprises.

Outstanding Achievement of the Year award winner Vicki Dodd from the Aboriginal Resource Centre in Port Augusta, receives her award.

The winners of the 2010 inaugural FABO Awards were announced at a Gala Dinner at Watersedge Restaurant by the Rocks at Sydney Harbour.

Vicki Dodd, who has been the manager of the ARC in Port Augusta for two and a half years, says she is thrilled and a little overwhelmed by the top award.

Dodd, who manages six staff members says she is responsible for a very long list of duties from engaging with the Board and funding bodies, dealing with compliance requirements as well as organising and overseeing the services for local Aboriginal people around social inclusion and wellbeing. This includes a child care centre and a program for aged members of the local Aboriginal community.

Dodd graduated from Swinburne University with a Diploma in Business Governance in 2009 and also has a Diploma in Community Services.

FABO Judges had narrowed a list of over 200 nominees to 40 finalists in September. Winners were announced in nine categories with Vicki Dodd winning the Judges Outstanding Achievement Award.

The Finance, Administration and Back Office (FABO) Awards recognise the contributions of people who work in the less-visible, back office positions in Australia’s Not for Profit organisations and social enterprises and are hosted by Matrix On Board, an organisation that specialises in providing financial management, management support and training and development to NFP organisations across Australia.

Morri Young, founder of the FABO Awards and Director of Matrix On Board says these Not for Profit organisations not only make great contributions to people and culture, they also make large contributions to the economy and the FABOs are a chance to celebrate the achievements of individuals and the non-profit sector at large.

Pro Bono Australia sponsored the award for Auditor of the Year which was won Rick Jirsch, of Jirsch Reilly Tang in Darlinghurst NSW.

Morri Young says the response to the FABOs from the Not for Profit industry has been very positive and a great success in its first year.

THE WINNERS

Judges Outstanding Achievement of the Year – Vicki Dodd, Aboriginal Resource Centre, Port Augusta SA

Employer of the Year – Helen Lockwood, Lutheran Community Care, Magill SA and Alice Springs NT
Administrator of the Year – Sabine Benz, Possums’ Den, Coffs Harbour NSW
Auditor of the Year – Rick Jirsch, Jirsch Reilly Tang, Darlinghurst NSW
Bookkeeper of the Year – Pamela Bridgen, Tasmanian Association of Community Houses, Moonah TAS
Financial Officer of the Year – Paul Teefy, FSG Australia, Southport QLD
Human Resources Manager of the Year – Jackie Mead, Berry Street, Richmond VIC
IT Support of the Year – Leigh Wardle, Asylum Seeker Resource Centre, West Melbourne VIC
Secretary/Public Officer of the Year – Vicki Dodd, Aboriginal Resource Centre, Port Augusta SA
Volunteer Treasurer of the Year – Graham Tillott, All Saints Community Care, Nowra NSW

For more information about the FABO Awards and the winners, visit www.fabos.com.au.