Two Qld timber businesses recognised at disability business awards

Left to right: Russell Shipp, Maryborough Cross Arms; Elizabeth Jameson AM Endeavour Foundation; Sharon Wood Endeavour Foundation; Michael Kennedy, Kennedys Timber.

Two Queensland timber businesses have been recognised among a room of disability advocates, visionaries and entrepreneurs at Endeavour Foundation’s inaugural Business Excellence and Impact Awards on October 16, 2025.

The leading disability service provider hosted around 300 industry innovators, where the winners of five awards were decided by an independent panel, and the winners were announced at the event, recognising businesses and individuals for their commitment in helping people with disability to live their best lives.

Penny and Michael Kennedy of Kennedys Timbers

Narangba’s Kennedy’s Timbers (Partnership Excellence Award), and Wide Bay-Burnett’s Maryborough Cross Arm Mill (Results that Shine), each took out a top gong; two awards out of the five on offer. “Well, we certainly didn’t expect to be a finalist, and now a winner,” said Chief Executive Officer of Kennedy’s Timbers, Michael Kennedy, winner of the Partnership Excellence Award.

Kennedy’s Timbers has been a leader in sustainable timber for over 30 years, partnering with Endeavour Foundation to employ a team of people with disability, and integrating the team into production for nationwide architectural projects. Kennedy’s Timber were also recognised for promoting disability awareness and inclusion through the Employer Ready Program.

“Initially we didn’t know how to navigate the partnership or what was involved in hosting people with disability at our site, but we were shown the ropes and now wouldn’t work without our Endeavour crew. They do such great work with us. We now know what’s possible and we can’t wait to continue this partnership.

“In our case, we’ve also found people really enjoy working with timber because it’s an organic material, and it’s creating products that are so magnificent; they gain a real sense of achievement from turning a lump of wood into a piece of timber that will go into an architectural home. We would encourage other employers to take our experience onboard and partner with Endeavour Foundation because great things can come out of it,” added Mr Kennedy.

Russell Shipp, Maryborough Cross Arms Mill Site Manager

Maryborough Cross Arm Mill Site Manager, Russell Shipp knows all too well, the positive impact employing people with disability can deliver. “This win is not only about our team, but everything we achieve together,” said Mr Shipp, winner of the Results that Shine Award.

The Cross Arm Mill produces around 47,000 timber crossarms annually, totalling over 5.8 million kilograms of timber, with offcuts repurposed into products like stakes and pallets. Employees gain valuable skills, preparing for mainstream employment while benefiting from the Endeavour Foundation’s support framework.

“In terms of providing support for people with disability, we are passionate about the pathways our employees take when with us from supported to mainstream employment; and I’m happy to say the employees with us now, are excited for that next step,” said Mr Shipp.

“Timber work is hands on, and with that, comes a great opportunity for employees to create, replicate and build strong elements to aid even bigger works. It’s physical, it’s exciting and we are just so honoured to have achieved this award,” added Mr Shipp.

Endeavour Foundation’s Head of Philanthropy, Sharon Wood, says the Business Excellence and Impact Awards were created to celebrate those within the community to shine and be awarded for their impressive contributions on an industry stage.

“From researchers who are paving the way in inclusive humanoid robotics, an organisation who’s helped us create Accessible Tourism videos in the Whitsundays, a business boosting fundraising dollars by donating $1 for every work hour, a family who’s helped to donate a tractor for our Bundaberg farm, or another business who’s creating job opportunities and sustainable work solutions at the same time … and the list goes on,” said Mrs Wood.

The five Business Excellence and Impact Awards winners were:

• Partnership Excellence - CBC Group ‘Partnership Excellence Award’: Kennedy’s Timbers (Narangba);
• Results that Shine - Glencore Queensland Metals ‘Results That Shine Award’: Maryborough Cross Arm Mill (Maryborough);
• Charity Champion - ‘Charity Champion Award’: Shamrock Civil (Ipswich);
• Advocacy in Action - Advocacy in Action Award’: Chloe Haidenhofer (Brisbane);
• Community Leadership - McCormack's 4WD ‘Community Leadership Award’: Komatsu Australia
• (Brisbane).

The event also acknowledged six additional organisations who have supported Endeavour Foundation for more than 25 years, offering employment opportunities for people with disability. “Each person or business is helping to create meaningful jobs for the people with disability, and they all deserve congratulations for their contributions,” concluded Mrs Wood.

Images supplied courtesy Endeavour Foundation

To find out how employees with disability can help your business to shine, go to endeavour.com.au.