Westpac Community Leader Finalists Announced

Westpac Community Leader Finalists:

Here we meet the eight finalists whose nominations were also outstanding and demonstrated excellence in the community sector.

Finalists for Start-up Not for Profit Executive

Melanie Cass, EDAR Arts, Manager (VIC)

Melanie’s nomination showcased her strong values-based leadership of the large Victorian-based not for profit. Melanie has displayed perseverance, courage and determination in her mission to connect artists with a disability with their wider community.

Just nine months old, EDAR Arts is already running at a balanced budget due to Melanie’s success in gaining community sponsorship and support.

For more about EDAR Arts: https://www.facebook.com/edararts

Melanie Tate, Puddle Jumpers, CEO and Founder (SA)

Melanie established Puddle Jumpers as a support service for disadvantaged children in her local area.

By sharing her vision with the community, Melanie obtained rent-free premises and then secured donated labour and materials to refurbish the site, to an estimated value of $400,000. She has also developed income streams and expense savings that forecast an operating budget of $0 annually.

For more about Puddle Jumpers: www.jumpinallthepuddles.org

Finalists for Established Not for Profit Executive

Nicky Howe, Southcare Inc., CEO (WA)

The pressing social need of delivering quality care to Australia’s ageing population is being ably addressed by Nicky’s vision for young people to take on skilled roles as passionate contributors to the aged care sector.

Bolstered by winning a social innovation grant, the programme aims to impact the sector with sustainable, quality care outcomes for the elderly and employment opportunities for the young.

For more about Southcare Inc: www.southcare.org.au

Margie Jenkin, Landcare Tasmania, Executive Officer (TAS)

Following destructive bushfires in Tasmania, Margie reacted quickly to the urgent needs of the community and rallied local businesses to assist fire-affected households. She established a number of sustainable initiatives for the re-vegetation and protection of the environment, which will see long-term benefits for farmers and wildlife.

Maggie is admired for her values-based commitment to the cause.

For more about Landcare Tasmania: www.landcaretas.org.au

Finalists for Treasurer

Neville John, Kildonan UnitingCare, Treasurer (VIC)

Neville’s outstanding financial leadership when tough decisions needed to be made means the 132-year-old Kildonan can expand its capacity to assist more people facing social and economic hardship.

Neville generously shares his many years of accounting and governance experience. His manner is described as quiet and humble; his approach as proactive and passionate; and his impact as immense and transformative.

For more about Kildonan Uniting Care: www.kildonan.unitingcare.org.au

John Dawes, Riverland Youth Theatre, Treasurer (SA)

This creative hub’s primary objective is to provide high quality artistic opportunities for youth. And John’s innovative fundraisers have become sustainable funding sources for the youth theatre that has seen social outcomes in improved mental health, welfare, cultural awareness and self-esteem.

John is recognised for his tireless dedication to the youth of the Riverland community for more than  28 years.

For more about Riverland Youth Theatre: www.ryt.org.au

Finalists for Social Entrepreneur

Tania De Jong AM, Creativity Australia, Founder and Chair (VIC)

Tania has proven her great leadership skills in establishing a scalable model to grow Creativity Australia to a nationwide singing movement. Since 2008, she has attracted more than 3 million dollars to support the program.

Creativity Australia measures and reports on a wide range of social outcomes, strengthening the appeal of this organisation to the private and social sector.

For more about Creativity Australia: www.creativityaustralia.org.au

Dimity Dornan AM, Hear and Say, Founder and Executive Director (QLD)

Dimity founded Hear and Say in 1992 after meeting one young boy whose deafness stopped him from communicating his needs. Now her centres help 600 children a year to hear, listen and speak.

Dimity’s continued advocacy has attracted private, corporate and government partners, and her investment in strong research networks is forging pathways for inclusion and productivity for deaf children.

For more about Hear and Say: www.hearandsay.com.au