The six award categories; Start-up Leader, Established Leader, Treasurer, Social Entrepreneurs, Board Members and Partnerships for Purpose, provide each award recipient with financial and educational support valued at over $12,000.

“The calibre of nominees was extremely high this year and a wonderful reminder of the generosity of local leaders working tirelessly throughout Australia. As finalists of the Westpac Community Leaders Awards, individuals will be recognised and supported with training and resources to continue creating brighter futures,” says Group Executive of Westpac Retail & Business Banking, Jason Yetton.

“In addition to the prizes offered to the award recipients, all finalists for the 2014 program will be invited to attend an exclusive thought leadership event in Sydney run with the support of the AGSM on the day of the awards presentation, which will be extremely rewarding – for both the finalists and the communities they support.”

The awards ceremony will be held on November 13 in Sydney. Award recipients will receive $5,000 for their organisation, $5,000 worth of financial education training from Westpac’s school of money, The Davidson Institute, and an enrolment in a social return on investment training course from EY Climate Change and Sustainability Services. The individual will also receive a $500 MasterCard gift card.

The program was developed by Westpac in 2013 to ensure community leaders have access to financial and social impact education so they can continue to empower and grow their organisations.

Finalists for the 2014 Westpac Community Leaders Awards include:

Established Leader:

• Darren Lomman, Chief Executive Officer, Dreamfit Foundation (WA)
• Jordan O’Reilly, General Manager, Fighting Chance Australia (NSW)
• Julliette Wright, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, GIVIT (QLD).

Partnership for Purpose:

• Celia Hodson, Chief Executive Officer , School of Social Entrepreneurs (NSW)
• Lincoln Hopper, Founder, NeuroCare Network (QLD)
• Lisa Watson, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Kissabilities Inc. (WA).

Start-up Leader:

• Nicolle and Manuela, Founders, Assist a Sista (NSW/QLD)
• Penny Daly, Founder and President, The Welcome Group (VIC)
• Sharon Hunneybell, Chief Operating Officer, Silicon Lakes Ltd (QLD).

Social Entrepreneur:

• Julian O’Shea, Director, Engineers Without Borders Institute (VIC)
• Peter Cooley, Director, First Hand Solutions Aboriginal Corporation (NSW)
• Tony Clark, Chief Executive Officer, Swags for Homeless (VIC).

Treasurer:

• Donald Warren, Treasurer, The Careers Education Association of Victoria (VIC)
• Giles Guneskera, National Treasurer, Amnesty International Australia (NSW)
• Michele Clatworthy, Chief Financial Controller and Company Secretary, Diabetes Queensland (QLD).

Board members:

• Cath Keenan, Co-founder and Executive, Sydney Story Factory (NSW)
• Elizabeth Shaw, Deputy Chairperson, Global Voices (VIC)
• Layne Beachley, Chairman, Layne Beachley’s Aim for the Stars Foundation (NSW).