Admiral Motel Bunbury named MAX Small Employer of the Year

The Admiral Motel in Bunbury has been recognised in MAX’s annual Employer of the Year Awards.

We recently honoured three outstanding businesses in the small, medium, and large categories and the Admiral Motel beat five other businesses from across the country to take the trophy in the small business category.

The small Employer of the Year Award honours businesses with fewer than 50 employees with a genuine commitment to diversity, sustainable employment and alignment to the MAX mission of giving every person, every chance. 

Small businesses are often described as the backbone of the Australian economy, making up around 95% of all employment opportunities and in turn reflecting the diversity of the local communities they serve.

However, for our Small Business of the Year finalists, diversity hasn’t just happened. Each has intentionally prioritised diversity, offering employment to MAX customers from diverse backgrounds including mature age, Indigenous, people living with disability and former offenders. 

Admiral Hotel Manager, Holly Patterson who accepted the award on behalf of the business, reflects on her motivation for giving every person, every chance: 

The Admiral Motel in Bunbury has partnered with MAX since 2015 and our customers have been given – often life changing – opportunities in housekeeping, reception, kitchen and handyperson roles. 

In 2022-2023 the team at Admiral Motel demonstrated flexibility in hiring practices and management style to provide opportunities for MAX customers.

For example to help overcome the language challenges for a mature aged customer for whom English was not his first language, his supervisor took the time to write down his tasks each day, and allowed him extra time to read, understand and tick off the task list.

Furthermore, when the customer experienced housing instability, the team made the unprecedented move of offering him a room at the motel while he secured permanent accommodation. 

For the Admiral Motel and each of our finalists, their willingness to prioritise diversity and inclusion has led to greater community representation, additional innovation and skillsets within their businesses while also providing fantastic opportunities for our customers. 

Congratulations to the Admiral Motel and all finalists in the Small Business category of our Employer of the Year Awards 2022-2023. 

•    Traffic Professionals - Nowra NSW
•    Bolton Clarke Fraser Coast - Maryborough and Hervey Bay, QLD
•    DTM Timber- Maryborough, QLD
•    Bunbury City Car Cleaners - WA
•    Kingaroy Freight - Richland Depo servicing - Wivenhoe, Brisbane and Bayside QLD

Read more about MAX's 2022-3023 Employer of the Year Awards. 

See Employer of the Year Award winners from 2021-2022

See Employer of the Year Award winners from 2020-2021

Image: Emma from MAX Bunbury, Holly from Admiral Motel, Peter Palmer, MAX Regional Manager