Finalists announced for HESTA Impact Awards

An app to combat communication challenges with older people due to COVID-19 mask wearing, a program to support bereaved children and work to reduce social isolation, poverty and ill health for young mothers. These are some of the 10 projects on the 2022 HESTA Impact Awards shortlist. The awards recognise health and community services professionals going above and beyond to have a positive impact on society, the economy and the planet.

HESTA CEO Debby Blakey said, “Our 2022 finalists are responding deftly to COVID-19 challenges to improve outcomes and are levelling the field to provide equal opportunity and care to those who are experiencing disadvantage or loss. Their innovations are saving and changing lives.

“Health and community services professionals are having an extraordinary impact every day on the lives of Australians and the world in which we live. They deserve to be recognised nationally,” Blakey said.

Launched in 2020, the awards were inspired by the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, a global blueprint for tackling some of the biggest world challenges such as equality and climate change. AIA Australia is supporting the awards, which will see an independent judging panel select the Team Innovation, Outstanding Organisation and Individual Distinction category winners.

The finalists are in the running to share a $30,000 prize pool. The three winners will be announced on Wednesday, 23 February 2022 at a live event, to be broadcast on awards.hesta.tv.

The 2022 finalists are:

Team Innovation

Guide Healthcare team
Rosebery NSW

Guide Healthcare is recognised for their innovative use of technology to improve communication with and quality of life for older people with a hearing impairment. In response to the communication difficulties caused by wearing masks, Guide Healthcare developed the free ‘Care Cards’ app, which displays key questions, instructions and phrases vital for effective care delivery.

The Haymarket Foundation Medical Practice team
Chippendale NSW

The Haymarket Foundation Medical Practice team is recognised for their dedication to providing accessible, specialist healthcare and housing support services for people experiencing, or who are at risk of, homelessness.

Lifeblood Microbiome team
Australian Red Cross Lifeblood
NAT

The Australian Red Cross Lifeblood team is recognised for their Microbiome program, which provides Fiona Stanley Hospital with a reliable supply of faecal microbiota for transplant to patients suffering from the potentially fatal recurrent Clostridioides difficile infection.

Caring Mums
National Council of Jewish Women Australia – Victoria
Caulfield VIC

The Victorian branch of the National Council of Jewish Women Australia is recognised for their Caring Mums program, which provides emotional support to pregnant women and new mothers from all cultural, ethnic and socio-economic backgrounds.

Outstanding Organisation

Zoe Support Australia
Mildura VIC

Zoe Support Australia is recognised for their outstanding support of young mothers (aged 13 to 25) and their children, providing services to help break the cycle of welfare dependence, increase family stability and improve physical and mental health.

WESNET (Women’s Services Network) Incorporated
Canberra ACT

WESNET (Women’s Services Network) is recognised for its Safety Net Australia Service focusing on the intersection of technology and violence against women, and for its innovative partnerships supporting specialist women’s domestic and family violence services during the pandemic. Together with Telstra and Uber, WESNET provides safe smartphones and free rides to help women stay connected to support services.

Education CHANCES Foundation
Hawthorn VIC

The Education CHANCES Foundation is recognised for addressing education inequality in Victoria’s Boroondara municipality for young people experiencing significant proven financial disadvantage.

Individual Distinction

Melissa McConaghy
PD Warrior
Artarmon NSW

Melissa McConaghy is recognised for creating PD Warrior, an exercise-based approach to help people with Parkinson’s Disease move, think and feel better. PD Warrior improves therapy outcomes by upskilling physiotherapists and exercise physiologists and delivers online and face-to-face training sessions directly to people living with Parkinson’s Disease.

Sue Carroll
Swifts Creek Bush Nursing Centre
Swifts Creek VIC

Sue Carroll is recognised for her leadership and going above and beyond to deliver the best health outcomes in regional Victoria during the pandemic and bushfires through her work with the Swifts Creek Bush Nursing Centre.

Shelly Skinner
Lionheart Camp for Kids and Perth Children’s Hospital
Innaloo WA

Shelly Skinner is recognised for her commitment to providing quality care and support young people and families following the death of a loved one, particularly through her work with the Lionheart Camp for Kids bereavement program.

Image credit: ©stock.adobe.com/au/tomertu