Our people
RECOGNITION
A key component of the Woolworths culture is recognition of high achievers. The annual Woolworths Heroes Program recognizes 27 outstanding contributors to our business, community and environment. Nominated for consideration by their own division, the 'Heroes' are flown to the company conference and thanked in front of thousands of delegates.
Established in 1995, the Paul Simons Award is an annual program that recognises the development of young people within the company. Participants are nominated from all divisions and a winner is selected in each category.
In 2009 there were 55 Paul Simons finalists, and the winners of the 2009 awards were:
- Apprentice of the Year - Phillip Gagen
- Certificate III of the Year - Stuart Paine
- Certificate IV of the Year - Andrea Tarrant
- Graduate of the Year - Matthew Teggins
- Trainee Buyer/Planner of the Year - Belinda Grice.
The Joe Berry Award is an external competition acknowledging and recognising outstanding young (35 years and under) achievers in retail. Some of the country's most prominent retail and supplier managers have won this competition, which began in 1986.
In 2009 there were seven finalists including four from Woolworths. The Woolworths finalists were:
- Mitch Tanner - Duty Manager
- Kerryn Bullpit - Store Services Specialist
- Brendan Robinson - Assistant Communications Manager
- Brett Griffiths - Promotional Manager.
The Young National Executive of the Year Award for 2009 was won by Brett Griffiths who received a $12,000 scholarship for education and development.
In 2008 Julie Coates (then Chief Logistics Officer) was a New South Wales finalist in the Telstra Business Woman of the Year Awards.