HESTA Impact Awards finalists announced

Eleven finalists have been announced for the inaugural HESTA Impact Awards, recognising health and community services professionals taking positive steps to create a better world.

The finalists were selected for their achievements in sustainability, gender equity, health and diversity, and inclusion initiatives, including a hospital-wide recycling program, health literacy sessions for culturally and linguistically diverse communities and a free online career support program for women in need.

HESTA CEO Debby Blakey said she was impressed with the calibre of the finalists, who are in the running to share a $30,000 prize pool.

“Our health and community services professionals care about the future of our society, economy and planet and do incredible things every day to make the world a better place,” Blakey said.

“These finalists are improving social and financial outcomes for women, preventing a phenomenal amount of waste from going to landfill and going above and beyond to improve [the] health and wellbeing of people experiencing disadvantage.

“HESTA is so proud to help share and celebrate their life-changing stories and achievements. They are true heroes.”

An independent judging panel will select the winners of the three categories — Team Innovation, Outstanding Organisation and Individual Distinction — who will each take home $10,000 to help them continue their work to create a better and more sustainable future.

The awards were inspired by the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) — a global blueprint for making measurable progress to tackle world challenges, including ending hunger, inequality and reducing climate change by 2030.

Blakey said HESTA has chosen seven of these SDGs to guide the Fund’s decision-making and activities, and to support the continued delivery of strong and sustainable long-term returns for members.

“HESTA is committed to making the world a better place for our members to live, work and retire into and we are proud to have been the first major Australian super fund to commit to a total portfolio ‘net zero by 2050’ emissions target,” she said.

“The HESTA Impact Awards tie together the work we do in pursuit of our chosen SDGs through our advocacy, responsible investment and thoughtful stewardship of our members’ savings.”

The award winners will be announced on Wednesday, 24 February 2021 via a live, public broadcast on awards.hesta.tv.

2021 finalists

Team Innovation

The Living Room
Youth Projects Ltd
Melbourne VIC

Area of impact: Improved health outcomes/improved patient wellbeing.

Youth Projects is recognised for going above and beyond to provide people experiencing disadvantage with access to essential services through ‘The Living Room’ health initiative.

YWCA Asista Program Team
YWCA Australia
South Melbourne VIC

Area of impact: Gender equity.

YWCA Australia Mentor Bhawna with her mentee Ella.

YWCA Australia’s Asista Program team is recognised for its life-changing work to help young women and girls in the child protection system build leadership skills and drive positive change.

Bendigo Health Facilities Management Team
Bendigo Health
Bendigo VIC

Area of impact: Sustainability.

Bendigo Health’s Facilities Management Team is recognised for its outstanding work to implement a comprehensive, hospital-wide recycling program, cutting down drastically the amount of waste going to landfill.

Outstanding Organisation

Housing All Australians Ltd
VIC

Area of impact: Sector-wide partnerships.

Housing All Australians (HAA) is recognised for their innovative ‘Pop Up Shelter’ initiative, which focuses on utilising vacant buildings awaiting redevelopment to increase the supply of short-term affordable housing options for people facing homelessness.

The Water Well Project
Malvern VIC

Area of impact: Improved health outcomes/improved patient wellbeing.

The Water Well Project is recognised for its work to improve the health and wellbeing of communities from migrant, refugee or asylum seeker background by increasing health literacy.

Ishar Multicultural Women’s Health Services
Mirrabooka WA

Area of impact: Improved health outcomes/improved patient wellbeing.

The Ishar team.

Ishar Multicultural Women’s Health Services is recognised for providing inclusive, holistic and culturally sensitive services for refugee and migrant women.

Big Group Hug
Bundoora VIC

Area of impact: Sustainability.

Big Group Hug is recognised for their work to support families in need while minimising environmental impact.

Individual Distinction

Jodie Bergsma
Dress for Success Sydney
Marrickville NSW

Area of impact: Diversity and inclusion.

Jodie Bergsma is recognised for her exceptional leadership in supporting women to find employment through Dress for Success Sydney’s career support program.

Julia Claire Hales
My Place WA Ltd and Black Swan State Theatre Company
Subiaco WA

Area of impact: Diversity and inclusion.

Julia Claire Hales is recognised for her leadership in changing perceptions of people with disability, particularly Down syndrome, through arts and culture.

AJ Williams-Tchen
Girraway Ganyi Consultancy
Balwyn VIC

Area of impact: Diversity and inclusion.

AJ Williams-Tchen is recognised for his work to support the mental health of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, improving their social and emotional wellbeing.

Melissa Browning
Gold Coast Hospital and Health Service
Southport QLD

Area of impact: Diversity and inclusion.

Melissa Browning is recognised for her leadership in developing and implementing an innovative and authentic approach to improve racial, cultural and health equity for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, building greater understanding and inclusion in Gold Coast Hospital and Health Service.

Main image caption: Big Group Hug volunteer Ros.