media release
4 March 2024
Nominations now open for HESTA's national Exellence Awards
Nominations are now open for the 2024 HESTA Excellence Awards, providing health professionals in the aged care, allied health, community services, and disability services sectors with the opportunity to gain national recognition for their work.
Offering a $60,000 prize pool, the Awards highlight the exceptional work across these four sectors, enhancing the health and wellbeing of individuals, families, and communities.
HESTA CEO Debby Blakey said she was thrilled the Excellence Awards – which are returning after a hiatus in 2023 – will return in 2024 to honour health and community professionals.
"Our healthcare professionals demonstrate leadership, innovation, and a steadfast commitment to improving healthcare outcomes for all Australians daily. Each year, I'm amazed by the outstanding achievements showcased by our winners and finalists.
"Over the years, we've witnessed so many remarkable award recipients. I encourage people from around the country to nominate an individual or team for a prestigious HESTA excellence award,” she said.
Until midnight (AEST) Sunday, May 12, employers, colleagues, and patients from the aged care, allied health, community services and disability services sectors can nominate or be nominated for the Individual Leadership or Team Excellence categories.
The two categories will each have four winners, recognising excellence in the respective four health and community service sectors.
The eight winners will each receive $7500 – donated by longstanding Awards sponsor ME - for personal or professional development or further development of processes or services in the workplace.
BOQ Group Executive of Retail Banking Greg Boyle praised the professionals working in each sector for their work and dedication.
“These awards recognise the resilience and commitment of the often unsung heroes working in our care sector. ME began providing community grants to winners of the HESTA Awards in 2007, and we are immensely proud to witness their growing significance each year,” he said.
Finalists will be announced on June 30 2024, and the winners will be revealed at the Awards ceremony in Melbourne on August 29 2024.
Ends.
The 2022 winners were:
OUTSTANDING ORGANISATION
Community Services
St Patricks’ Community Support Centre (St Pat’s)
Fremantle WA
St Pat’s was recognised for its leadership on a variety of programs and services designed to support families and individuals facing complex challenges.
Allied Health
Little Wings Limited
Bankstown Aerodrome NSW
Little Wings was recognised for their innovation in supporting seriously ill children from regional and remote NSW to continue accessing life-saving medical treatment during COVID.
Aged Care
HealthX
Petrie Terrace QLD
HealthX was recognised for its work to help address Australia’s aged care workforce shortages by boosting long-term staff capacity to improve the overall wellbeing of individuals, families, and communities through a variety of innovative programs, particularly during COVID.
Disability Services
Loom Arts and Management
Coburg VIC
Loom Arts and Management was recognised for furthering equality and respect for people with disability.
TEAM EXCELLENCE
Community Services
Hoarding & Squalor Team, Catholic Healthcare
Macquarie Park NSW
The Catholic Healthcare Hoarding & Squalor (H&S) Team was recognised for introducing a range of innovative, complementary programs, including the ‘Buried in Treasures’ support program, online declutter groups and a psychosocial support program for clients with underlying and additional mental health challenges.
Allied Health
Eating Disorders Team, Epworth Clinic
Camberwell VIC
The Epworth Clinic’s Eating Disorders Team was recognised for their transformation of care for clients experiencing eating disorders within a general mental health unit.
Aged Care
Falls Improvement Program Team, Brightwater Care Team
Inglewood WA
Brightwater Care Group’s Falls Improvement Program Team was recognised for identifying and implementing evidence-based strategies in fall prevention to reduce fall rates, better support aged care residents, and improve overall knowledge gaps.
Disability Services
‘Be with Me’ Navigators, Aboriginal Family Support Services
Adelaide, SA
Aboriginal Family Support Services’ ‘Be with Me’ Navigators team was recognised for its dedication to Aboriginal people with disability by assisting them to access and use appropriate support while encouraging a culturally safe environment.
Media contact:
Sam Riley
General Manager Media Relations and Corporate Affairs
(03) 8660 1684