Child and Family Services Ballarat takes out top award

CAFS won both the CGU Insurance Not-for-Profit Award and Business of the Year at the Federation Business School Commerce Ballarat Business Excellence Awards.

“I think it puts us into a new area of recognition by the community because most people don’t understand that to run a charity you’ve got to run a lot of business,” Mr Joy said. 

“We’ve been working to a plan, part of it was to maintain and enhance our commitment to the community, it’s really a tribute to the organisation.”

Mr Joy said the award was a credit to the staff, community and volunteers.

“The organisation doesn’t exist without the staff, they’re fantastic, the board of governors is fantastic, the volunteers are fantastic and all the people who have built CAFS up over the last 150 years.”

The judges credited CAFS with being professional, effective and innovative.

Commerce Ballarat chair David Wright said the awards recognised the contribution CAFS made to the community as well as its business excellence. 

“Who’s the one of the main organisations that is actually there and supporting Ballarat, it’s CAFS.

“CAFs are amazing and they’ve been in this Ballarat business community for years and years and done a fantastic job and I think because of current social issues, they’re worthy winners,” Mr Wright said. 

“The judges for this year judged CAFS as having excellence in business but I think it’s more than that – I think it’s also what CAFS do in this community and how relevant their job is.”

City of Ballarat mayor Des Hudson said a healthy business had a flow on effect.

“When business is thriving we have lots of employment opportunities and our city is going from strength to strength.”

Speaking upon receiving CAFS first award, Mr Joy said he was grateful on behalf of his staff, volunteers, and the 6000 individuals and families CAFS help every year.