Ursula Wojtas, a technical specialist at Confectionary ANZ in Ringwood, Australia topped the 2006 Chairman's Awards as our champion volunteer.
She is being recognised for over 25 years of dedication to the Focolare Movement, an international Christian organisation that works for the relief of poor, needy and distressed people throughout the world.
The judges were inspired by Ursula's dedication to her cause. Chairman John Sunderland said: "I was especially impressed by your personal commitment spanning many years and the degree of involvement you have shown."
Ursula has had to master many new skills in her time with the Focolare Movement. 'Mass catering' is almost certainly one of those listed on her CV (curriculum vitae). Feeding 400 people at a time is something she takes in her stride having spent the last 20 years catering for families on holiday.
Twenty-two years working as treasurer for the organisation have also boosted Ursula's book-keeping skills. Although she admits to being "more of an artist than an accountant," being entrusted with the role meant she had to learn the skills from scratch.
Ursula's annual leave allows her to travel to locations like Canberra, Perth, New Zealand and Fiji to help out with family groups. She also organises profit sharing donations from local businesses to go to people in need and has led children's and youth groups.
Home for Ursula is the Focolare's regional headquarters in Melbourne, Australia, where she lives in the international women's community. Her motto is straightforward, "I try to live by the same principles at home and at work."
Growing community value around the world
89 entries were received for the fourth Cadbury Chairman's Award for employee community involvement. Ursula as winner received $7,500 which will be shared between two projects. Some will help pay for community projects in Cameroon, including a hospital extension. Closer to home, the remainder will go towards a camp on the outskirts of Melbourne for use at weekends by local community members.. A special Highly Commended Prize and $3,500 was awarded to Melissa Batchilder for her work on 11 different community projects.
The runners up were awarded the Chairman's Merit and a donation of $1,500 made to their chosen charities:
Donna Kersten - Americas Beverages - for her work helping to rebuild Biloxi after Hurricane Katrina
John Schultz - Americas Beverages - for his work with the Miracle Michael Fund to support research into Brittle Bone Disease.
Rafael Tello - Cadbury Mexico - for his work on five community projects.
Jorge Alfonzo - Cadbury Stani Adams- for his work helping poor children in remote areas in Argentina.
Maria de Jesus Martinez & Gabriela Perez - Cadbury Adams Mexico - for their work on a recycling project.
Sanjay Chavan - Cadbury India - for his work on many different community projects.
John Cox, Michael Duane and Ian O'Toole - Cadbury Ireland - for their work in aid of the Chernobyl Children's Project.
Majorie Jacobs - Cadbury South Africa - for her work running soup kitchens to feed local needy children.
Oleg Junko - Cadbury Wedel - for his work running English lessons for children in one of Poland's poorest regions.
Denise Leeper - Ernest Jackson & Co - for her work with young disabled skiers.
The Chairman's Awards were established in 1999 as part of the company's commitment to encourage and support the work of Cadbury colleagues in communities around the world. The awards are presented every two years. Nominations for the next Chairman's Awards were called for at the end of 2007, and the Awards will be announced in 2008.