Respected Bendigo construction firm and member of the Fairbrother Group, Morey & Hurford, were recognised at a gala dinner at Parliament House in Canberra on 18th August 2009 . Minister for Education, Julia Gillard, presented the business with the Minister’s Award for Excellence for Employer’s of Australian Apprentices in recognition of their long-standing commitment and success with apprentices within the Victorian Central Highlands region.

One of only 22 handed-out nationwide, the award is presented annually to the top employers who have employed and trained apprentices to build their businesses and address skills shortages in local communities.

Morey & Hurford General Manager, Mr Phil Webb said of the evening, “This was a very special celebration of the hard work and commitment that our people have shown by recruiting and developing apprentices over many years.”

“Maintaining a focus on employing apprentices is crucial to ensuring that we take advantage of the opportunities that economic recovery will bring. Our investment in skills today will yield dividends for us and our community tomorrow.”

Mr Webb was accompanied to the awards dinner by key members of his management team and one of the company’s current apprentices.

“In receiving this award, I must thank our Australian Apprenticeship Centre, MEGT, for nominating us and for the tremendous support that they provide. I would especially like to acknowledge the dedication to apprenticeships shown by our company’s founder members, Chris Morey and Terry Hurford, both of whom recently retired from our business. It is due to their vision that we have been fortunate enough to receive this prestigious accolade."

Morey & Hurford’s accomplishment joins an impressive haul of awards which includes a win for Fairbrother in the Tasmanian region in 2007, the inaugural award for Commitment to Australian Apprenticeships which was presented to Fairbrother co-founder and Chairman, Royce Fairbrother in 2008, plus special recognition for Fairbrother Tasmania who once again achieved Finalist status in this year’s awards.