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The University of Western Australia has taken out a top national diversity award in recognition of its strategies to give all people access to employment.

UWA won the 2008 Diversity @Work Large Business Champion Award, a new category created for the 2008 awards, which was presented by international human rights activist Sir Bob Geldof at a gala dinner in Melbourne last week.

More than 100 nominees entered this year's awards, which recognise employers who create an organisation that is inclusive of all staff and clients as well as the wider communities in which it operates.

This is the second year running that UWA has won a Diversity @ Work Award - last year the University took out the Leadership Development for Women category.

UWA Vice-Chancellor Professor Alan Robson said UWA had been a long-time advocate of equity and inclusion.

"This University has no fences or gates at its borders and we strive very hard to ensure that there are no physical, structural or attitudinal barriers to limit access or opportunities for any of our campus community," Professor Robson said.

"To be named Diversity and Inclusion Champion proves UWA has made an effective commitment to diversity.  It is part of The University's culture to help all staff achieve their full potential while also ensuring that they do not have to leave aspects of their identity in the car park in order to succeed in this organisation.

"It is very important to us that all our staff working at UWA feel supported and valued and we work very proactively to achieve this."

UWA's Equity and Diversity Manager Beverley Hill said The University recognised the leadership role it could play in maximising opportunities for people from diverse backgrounds.

"We launched our Workforce Diversity Strategy in 2001, which identified as a priority the increased employment of people from communities under-represented on campus.  This responsive strategy recognises that to be inclusive when inviting people of difference into an established organisation, it is the organisation that needs to change," Ms Hill said.

Media references

Beverley Hill , (Manager, Equity and Diversity)  (+61 8)  6488 3791
Janine MacDonald (UWA Public Affairs)  (+61 8)  6488 5563  /  (+61 4) 32 637 716