Our Awards

At the Y, we recognise that our greatest asset is our purpose driven staff and volunteers.
So each year, we acknowledge and celebrate our exceptional staff and volunteers, and their innovative programs and services – with National recognition awards. The National awards are presented as part of our Y Australia AGM in November annually.

2023 NATIONAL AWARD WINNERS

I.C. Howard/Y Service Clubs International Staff Scholarship Award winner:

The winner of the IC Howard Scholarship 2023 was Jake Azzopardi. The IC Howard Award funding enabled Jacob to complete the Youth Mental Health Facilitator Course and Jacob will then be qualified to provide Mental health First Aid training to other Y Staff, volunteers and extend this to other key stakeholders who work closely with Y WA. Jacob’s goal is to destigmatising mental health by encouraging conversations between Y employees and the young people who attend services or programs, but also to help informed Y people build inclusive spaces that provide understanding for young people.

2022 NATIONAL AWARDS WINNERS

Congratulations to:

I.C. Howard/Y Service Clubs International Staff Scholarship Award winner:

• WhyNot Editorial Committee – Y Canberra

Volunteer of the Year Award winner:

• Hamani Tanginoa – Y NSW

Program of Excellence Award winner:

• Uplift – Y NSW

Staff Member of the Year winner:

• Wallace Martin, Y Ballarat

Safeguarding Award winner:

• Elisabeth Hart – Y WA

The Power of Inspired Young People Award winners:

• Storm Drabsch – Y Bundaberg
• Y HQ Youth Squad – Y WA

Inaugural Friend of the Y Award winner:

• Simon Hammond – see video here.

2022 National Awards Finalists

I.C. Howard/Y Service Clubs International Staff Scholarship Award
Finalists:

• Stephanie Ferguson – Y Whittlesea
• WhyNot Editorial Committee – Y Canberra
• Hemali Rahvi – Y Victoria

Volunteer of the Year Award
Finalists:

• Hamani Tanginoa – Y NSW
• Amy Ferguson – Y Victoria

Program of Excellence Award
Finalists:

• The Rap at the Gap – Y Brisbane
• Uplift – Y NSW
• Jump Start – Y Ballarat
• Inside our Minds – Y WA
• EYES (Early Years Engagement Support) program – Y Whittlesea
• Youth Voice Creative – Youth Studio – Y Victoria

Staff Member of the Year
Finalists:

• Adrien Fitzpatrick – Y Brisbane
• Wallace Martin – Y Ballarat
• Caroline Smith – Y WA
• Rhiannon Mills – Y NSW
• Emmy Kudo – Y Canberra
• Janet Mason – Y Victoria

Safeguarding Award
Finalists:

• Storm Drabsch – Y Bundaberg
• Elisabeth Hart – Y WA
• Safe Behaviours Trainers and Support Team – Y Ballarat
• Manbir Randhawa – Y Canberra
• Dan Coathup – Y Victoria
• Storm Drabsch – Y Bundaberg
• Y HQ Youth Squad – Y WA

The Power of Inspired Young People Award
Finalists:

• Zach Binelli – Y SA
• Chloe Gleeson – Y Ballarat
• Mikaela Brader – Y INEA
• Dylan Grubb – Y Canberra
• Ashlee Horton – Y Hobart
• Jerri Saraullo – Y Victoria

NATIONAL AWARDS 

About the Awards​

Program of Excellence Award    ​

This award seeks to highlight the work of a Y Association which has developed or continued a program that delivers outcomes to communities and supports the YMCA mission and belief.

​Staff Member of the Year

​This award is for Y Staff, for exceptional service, innovative practice and a commitment to the Y’s mission and belief.

​Safeguarding Award             ​

Open to staff members, volunteers, programs, teams and services in Australia, this award seeks to highlight a significant achievement in empowering children and young people to feel safe and be safe at the Y, in their families and in their communities.

​Volunteer Of the Year   ​

This award is for Y Volunteers, for exceptional service, innovative practice and a commitment to the Y’s mission and belief.

​IC Howard/Y International Scholarship

​This is a $5,000 scholarship for the furthering of the education of Y staff. Award is proudly sponsored by the Y Service Clubs of Australia. The scholarship is not intended as a reward for past service but as a benefit for the future.

​The Power Of Inspired Young People

This award seeks to highlight the impact of a Y young person’s journey or story of inspiration. This may include a young person’s leadership, advocacy, courage, efforts or inspiring presence within the Y.