Westpac Awards Recognise NFP Leaders

Not for Profit leaders from across Australia have been named as the winners in the 2014 Westpac Community Leaders Awards.

The awards, which recognise inspirational leaders who give generously of their time, capabilities and commitment to the Social Sector, were presented at the Australian Museum in Sydney last night.

This year there were six award categories, including Start-up Leader, Established Leader, Treasurer, Social Entrepreneurs, Board Members and Partnerships for Purpose, and each award recipient received financial and educational support valued at more than $12,000.

Jason Yetton, Group Executive of Westpac Retail & Business Banking, said, “Good leaders are people who set out to make a difference and inspire other people to follow them. They are spearheads of change, dedicated to improving the lives of those most in need. They are seen as role models in their community because they lead by example. And this year’s winners are no exception; they have all demonstrated a unique passion and support for their community and are therefore very deserving of this accolade. Congratulations to each and every one of them.”

The winners of the awards were;

Board Member Category: Cath Keenan, Co-founder and Executive, Sydney Store Factory.

The free writing and creative programs offered by Sydney Story Factory to marginalised and disadvantaged children are aimed at improving young people's written/oral communication skills, creativity, self-confidence, and empathy.

Established Leader Category: Darren Lomman, CEO, Dreamfit Foundation.

A chance encounter with a person in a wheelchair dreaming of a being able to ride a motorcycle led Darren, then an engineering student, to design and build a solution to get his new friend back on his bike. Eleven years later, Dreamfit Foundation operates with a team of designers, engineers, technicians and volunteers to create equipment used by thousands of people with disabilities.

Partnership for Purpose Category: Lincoln Hopper, Founder, NeuroCare Network.

As the CEO of Multiple Sclerosis Society of Queensland, Lincoln led the CEOs of ten other not-for-profits to formalise a new alliance, the NeuroCare Network. It has the aim of forging strategic relationships and collaborating to meet the unmet needs for diagnosis, support, services and funding for people living with progressive neurological and neuromuscular conditions in Queensland.

Start Up Leader Category: Nicolle and Manuela, , Founders, Assist A Sista.

This pair is assisting women and their children escaping domestic violence situations by fitting out accommodation with furniture, linen, kitchen appliances and more-reducing the risk of women returning to a violent home because they lack the basic necessities to live.

Social Entrepreneur Category: Tony Clark, CEO, Swags for Homeless.

Treating the homeless with dignity is a core value of the organisation Clark started to provide relief bedding for people without homes. The life-saving Backpack Beds and other specialised products are now distributed by over 300 partner welfare agencies to people sleeping on the streets.

Treasurer Category: Donald Warren, Treasurer, The Career Education Association of Victoria.

In 2014, the association commenced trading as the Australian Centre for Career Education (ACCE), supporting clients and those most disadvantaged within the broader community to access career education, careers counselling, quality career development services and products.

Donald's sound industry practice, good financial governance and extensive experience have contributed greatly to this major restructure.