It may seem ironic that Magnetic Island’s inaugural Rotary Pride of Workmanship Awards were all won by young women last Thursday night. But that could hardly detract from the quality of the applicants. The four young women, whose approach to their work on Magnetic is there for us all to experience, led Rotary’s Ron Stevens to describe them as, “Those who excel - not just do well, but go above and beyond in their work!”

The four (from left) were photographed with Ron at the dinner held at Le Paradis restaurant. They were: Sophia Martini from Bell’s Bakery, Samantha Phillips from Smith and Elliot Real Estate, Georgia Mackay from Nelly Bay Foodworks and Louise Hellum from the MI Post Office.

The young women were all nominated by their employers. No young men were, however, nominated and Ron Stevens thinks this may be to do with young men being more likely to leave the Island to work

The award is to: promote vocational service; encourage pride of workmanship; provide employers with an opportunity to recognise employees who display the qualities worthy of an award; encourage community and individual achievement and an opportunity for Rotary to be involved in the community and business community.

This is the first time MI Rotary have made the award which began in Pennant Hills, NSW in 1975. But in keeping with the times one hopes that in future they will rename it the Pride in Work Awards.