media release
27 July 2021
Finalists revealed across disability, allied health, community and aged care for national HESTA Excellence Awards
Australia’s top 26 organisations and teams working in disability, allied health, aged care and community services have today been revealed as finalists in the 2021 HESTA Excellence Awards.
Launched last year, the Awards highlight the extraordinary work being done across the disability, allied health, aged care and community services sectors to enhance the health and wellbeing of individuals, families and communities.
HESTA CEO Debby Blakey said every single finalist has demonstrated extraordinary leadership and dedication to improving the quality of care and support for more Australians over a challenging year.
“From improving social connection for older people during COVID to increasing health education for people from refugee backgrounds, these professionals are having an incredible impact on the lives of the people who need these services the most,” Ms Blakey said.
“The quality of this year’s nominations has been phenomenal, and I wish to thank every nominee and finalist for their important work. HESTA is very honoured to help recognise their achievements.”
Finalists from each of the four sectors were chosen across the categories of Outstanding Organisation and Team Excellence.
The eight winners will share in a $60,000 prize money pool to be used for further education, service or team development, generously provided by longstanding HESTA Awards sponsor ME – the bank for you.
ME CEO Adam Crane said the bank was thrilled to support the Awards.
“On behalf of ME, congratulations to these very worthy award finalists,” Mr Crane said.
“Your commitment, dedication and hard work to help those in need, from our older seniors to those living with disability in our community, is admirable and we thank you for your ongoing efforts.”
The winners will be announced during a live public broadcast on Wednesday 25 August 2021.
For more information, visit hestaawards.com.au
Introducing the 2021 finalists:
Whiddon is recognised for their strategic initiative to support the holistic health and wellbeing of their wider team during a challenging year of bushfires, floods and a global pandemic, including delivering care packs, a range of wellbeing resources and financial assistance to employees whose homes were damaged in the floods.
Royal Freemasons Benevolent Institution (RFBI) is recognised for their Mental Moments Show, a week long show designed to highlight the importance of mental health for aged care professionals.
Feros Care is recognised for supporting older Australians to live happier, connected, more fulfilling lives through innovative technology, wellness strategies and communication efforts.
integratedliving Australia is recognised for increasing its ability to deliver virtual programs, helping their clients remain connected and enabled during COVID lockdowns and beyond.
Earbus Foundation of WA is recognised for their work to reduce middle ear disease in young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children.
Restore Function Physiotherapy is recognised for their work to ensure female athletes receive the same high standard of medical management as their male counterparts, reducing risk of injury.
Adaptive Physiotherapy and Performance is recognised for delivering surf therapy and adaptive sports programs to children and adolescents with neurological, developmental and musculoskeletal conditions across mid-North Coast NSW.
Community Services
The Water Well Project
Malvern VIC
The Water Well Project is recognised for its work to improve the health and wellbeing of communities from migrant, refugee or asylum seeker backgrounds through free, interactive health education sessions.
Sacred Heart Mission
St Kilda VIC
Sacred Heart Mission is recognised for their dedication to the immediate needs of the St Kilda community and beyond. They provide support and services for people experiencing homelessness, disadvantage and social exclusion, including a meals program, trauma-informed case management, women’s crisis accommodation, long-term supported accommodation and more.
Share the Dignity
NAT
Share the Dignity is recognised for their work to ensure no woman, girl or person who menstruates goes without basic access to period products in Australia. They assist through advocacy and by collecting and distributing period products across Australia.
SHINE for Kids
NAT
SHINE for Kids is recognised for their work supporting children and young people with a parent in prison. SHINE for Kids is the only national charity to provide programs to these children and young people, operating in schools, the community and 29 correctional facilities across the country.
Disability Services
Limbs 4 Life
NAT
Limbs 4 Life is recognised for their work providing information and support to empower amputees and their families, ensuring they don’t experience limb loss alone.
Multicap Avegates School Holiday Program
Multicap
Eight Mile Plains QLD
Multicap Avegates School Holiday Program is recognised for their support of children and young people living with complex disabilities.
Bus Stop Films
Carlton NSW
Bus Stop Films is recognised for its dedication to teaching film studies to adults with intellectual disabilities and those from marginalised communities.
Team Excellence
Aged Care
Critical Interim Support Team
Brotherhood of St Laurence
Frankston VIC
The Brotherhood of St Laurence’s Critical Interim Support Team is recognised for making a real difference to the lives of older people experiencing disadvantage, including people who are unable to connect to services and those experiencing significant social isolation.
Brightwater Music Pharmacy Team
Brightwater Care Group
Osborne Park WA
Brightwater Music Pharmacy Team is recognised for their work bringing music therapy and music engagement services to aged care clients living in residential care or at home.
Lifeview Hospitality and Gardening Teams
Lifeview
Carnegie VIC
Lifeview’s Hospitality and Gardening Teams are recognised for their Planting with a Purpose Program, which brings together the chefs at all four Lifeview homes with the gardening team and residents to create menus and grow the required produce.
Dementia Australia Centre for Dementia Learning
Dementia Australia
NAT
Dementia Australia is recognised for reimagining their education and consultancy programs during the global pandemic, supporting the transformation in dementia practice.
Allied Health
Advance Rehab Centre team
Artamon NSW
The Advance Rehab Centre team is recognised for their work in assisting patients with Functional Neurological Disorders (FND), creating a multi-disciplinary team approach to ensure patients have access to the very specific neurological rehabilitation required by this population.
Blokes in a Caring Role
Dementia Australia
NAT
Blokes in a Caring Role is recognised for their work in tailoring a program specifically for the requirements of men who are carers of a loved one living with dementia. The program is the first of its kind in Australia.
Community Services
SHQ
Northbridge WA
The SHQ team is recognised for developing and implementing a clinician and consumer-endorsed screening tool to identify and support women who are at risk or who have experienced intimate partner violence or reproductive coercion.
Senior case management team (homelessness services)
The Haymarket Foundation
Chippendale NSW
The Haymarket Foundation’s senior case management team is recognised for going above and beyond to support individuals experiencing homelessness who have fallen through service gaps.
Zoe Support Australia
Mildura Victoria
Zoe Support Australia is recognised for its support of young mothers aged 13-25 while they engage with social programs, education and employment.
Disability Services
Team Helen
Hartley Lifecare
Pearce ACT
Team Helen is a small group of women recognised for their work in providing 24/7 active support of Helen, a 49-year-old woman with a disability. The team’s mantra of providing person-centred, high- quality support has had a positive impact on Helen’s life, improving her health and wellbeing.
WaterAbilities
Cyclabilities Incorporated
Ngunnawal ACT
The WaterAbilities program team is recognised for creating a dedicated allied health Safety and Survival swim program in Canberra for children with support and sensory needs.
YMCA
South Australia - Leap Online
Whyalla, SA
YMCA South Australia is recognised for its essential support for people living with disability during COVID-19 isolation in 2020 with the Leap Online program.
Ends.