Staff Reporter –
For hundreds of people who know him as a professional ‘quality analyst,’ pursuer of just causes and community leader, it was a moment of pride and joy when Balavenu Beeram (Venugopal Reddy) received an Award at a simple ceremony at his office on July, 15, 2015.
His wife Prathibha Mallepally and their daughter Trisha joined many others in sharing their affection and appreciation for the man who has meant so much to so many.
Kevin McGorry, Organiser at PSA, New Zealand’s largest trade union, was present at the ceremony held at ‘Asure Quality’ laboratory located in the Auckland suburb of Lynfield.
Great Honour
‘Venugopal Garu’ as we address him with equal respect, received the ‘Delegate Achievement Award,’ stated to be a high honour given by PSA.
Mr McGorry said that the Award is presented to Union delegates who have provided outstanding leadership above and beyond the norm.
PSA Executive Board member Andy Colwell presented the Award to Venugopal on behalf of the 62,000 members of the PSA. Shalini Wadhawan, a PSA delegate was the Master of Ceremonies at the ceremony.
People’s advocate
Asure Quality Chief Executive John McKay described Mr Venugopal as a man with a passion for people, advocating their cause and welfare.
“I have always admired his resilience and determination during difficult times, standing up for Asure Quality workers and their pay and conditions of employment. He has been a strong advocate for the lab workers, never gives up and works well with management to get good outcomes for the members. Everything he does is for the benefit of PSA members, and hence deserves this recognition of his efforts,” Mr McGorry said.
Kevin McGorry with Balavenu Beeram (Venugopal), his wife Prathibha Mallepally and their daughter Trisha at the Awards Ceremony held on July 15.
