Eight organisations across disability services, allied health, aged care and community services were given recognition for their work by the HESTA Excellence Awards.

The awards, which launched this year, recognises the dedicated professionals working across the four sectors who have gone above and beyond to make a real difference to the health and wellbeing of Australians.

HESTA CEO Debby Blakey said the winners set a new standard of care in what has been a turbulent, difficult year.

“From battling COVID-19 and bushfires to launching new services and partnering effectively across sectors, every single winner has demonstrated exceptional leadership and innovation in caring for and supporting their communities,” Blakey said.

“The positive and lasting impact they have had on the lives of so many Australians is an inspiration to us all. HESTA is extremely proud and humbled to help shine a light on their important work as well as showcase the breadth of achievements taking place across health and community services,” she said.

Winners were announced in the categories of Outstanding Organisation and Team Excellence, each taking home $7500 donated by HESTA Awards sponsor ME Bank for further education, service or product development.

ME Bank Acting CEO Adam Crane said the bank was proud to have supported the HESTA Awards since 2007.

“The team at ME Bank have been blown away by the stories of courage and caring and team spirit of each of these winners,” Crane said.

“Healthcare workers are the heroes of this pandemic, and we are incredibly proud to support these winners on behalf of the entire healthcare workforces they represent,” he said.

Awardees 

In the Aged Care category, Enabling Confidence at Home Inc. (ECH) from Parkside, SA was recognized as the Outstanding Organisation for delivering outstanding support to older people through its innovative and inclusive model of aged care.

Meanwhile, HESTA awarded the Team Excellence award to Wellbeing Clinic for Older Adults from the Swinburne University of Technology for providing outstanding mental health care and support for aged care residents.

For Allied Health, Cyclabilities Evatt ACT bagged the Outstanding Organisation award for providing quality learning opportunities in recreational activities for children with disabilities or vulnerabilities.

Meanwhile, the PACE Team Alpine from Alpine Health were given the Team Excellence awards for going above and beyond to deliver outstanding client care in the face of great challenges and adversity.

For Community Services, Justice Connect from Sydney NSW and Melbourne VIC bagged the Outstanding Organisation award for helping people and community organisations to access legal support by designing and delivering high-impact interventions.

Meanwhile, the Wongee Mia program from Ruah Community Services received the Team Excellence award for their innovative pilot housing project designed to end the cycle of evictions and long-term homelessness disproportionately experienced by Aboriginal people.

As for Disability Services, Synapse Australia Ltd was hailed the Outstanding Organisation for providing a range of services, including specialist housing and support, for people who have been impacted by brain injury, including stroke and dementia.

For its part, Sharon’s 24/7 Support Team Interchange received the Team Excellence award for their significant contribution to people living with disability, including providing support to start a new life at home and in the community after incarceration.