HESTA Excellence Awards winners announced
The winners of the inaugural HESTA Excellence Awards have been revealed, with eight organisations and teams recognised across disability services, allied health, aged care and community services in a virtual celebration of excellence.
The awards recognise 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 congratulated the winners, who she said have 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,” she 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.”
Winners were announced in the categories of Outstanding Organisation and Team Excellence, each taking home $7500, generously donated by HESTA Awards sponsor ME Bank, to be used for further education or 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,” he 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.”
The 2020 winners are:
Aged Care
Outstanding Organisation: ECH (Enabling Confidence at Home) — recognised for delivering outstanding support to older people through its innovative and inclusive model of aged care.
Team Excellence: Wellbeing Clinic for Older Adults, Swinburne University of Technology — recognised for providing outstanding mental health care and support for aged-care residents.
Allied Health
Outstanding Organisation: Cyclabilities — recognised for providing quality learning opportunities in recreational activities for children with disabilities or vulnerabilities.
Team Excellence: PACE (Pulmonary and Cardiac Exercise and Education) Team, Alpine Health — recognised for going above and beyond to deliver outstanding client care in the face of great challenges and adversity.
Community Services
Outstanding Organisation: Justice Connect — recognised for helping people and community organisations to access legal support by designing and delivering high-impact interventions.
Team Excellence: Wongee Mia, Ruah Community Services — recognised for their innovative pilot housing project designed to end the cycle of evictions and long-term homelessness disproportionately experienced by Aboriginal people.
Disability Services
Outstanding Organisation: Synapse Australia — recognised for providing a range of services, including specialist housing and support, for people who have been impacted by brain injury, including stroke and dementia.
Team Excellence: Sharon’s 24/7 Support Team, Interchange WA — recognised 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.
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