Prime Minister’s Award for Excellence in Community Business Partnerships for Western Australia

After being nominated for the award some months ago, Virtual Cancer Centre Pty Ltd together with Silver Chain Nursing Association Inc were today officially awarded the Prime Minister’s Award for Excellence in Community Business Partnerships for Western Australia.

Prime Minister John Howard said, ‘these awards recognise business and community organisations that make a valuable contribution towards helping those in need.’ Virtual Cancer Centre in partnership with Silver Chain Nursing Association developed an online system designed to improve communications between health professionals relating to patient care. The Prime Minister said that recipients of the award demonstrated ‘generosity of spirit and desire to work together to forge stronger communities.’ The award was presented by The Honourable Judy Moreland, representative of The Minister for Family and Community Services, Senator Kay Patterson at 12pm on Friday the 23rd of July 2004. ‘By combining their expertise, the Virtual Cancer Centre and Silver Chain are making a significant difference to the quality of life for people with cancer, especially for those in the terminal stages of the disease,’ Senator Patterson said. Receiving the award was Mr Tom Maher, General Manager of Virtual Cancer Centre and Mr Stephen Carmody, Manager of Hospice Care Services at Silver Chain Nursing Association. This award publicly recognises the dream of Dr Andrew Dean, founder of Virtual Cancer Centre, and his desire to build an organisation that established genuine partnership for the betterment of the community. Although Dr Dean was not able to accept the award today, Tom Maher graciously received the award and in this acceptance speech requested that his gratitude be passed on to Senator Patterson and Prime Minister John Howard. The National Final of the Prime Minister’s Award will be decided and presented in September this year at a ceremony in Brisbane. Virtual Cancer Centre is quietly optimistic as they await the result of the National Final.(Photos of the Prime Ministers Award Ceremony are available upon request)