As 2020 draws to a close, Y Australia is so proud to announce the 2020 National Award winners, in recognition of their outstanding service this year. It was an incredible night last Friday night at the virtual National Awards night, with over 120 attendees. Hosted by Kergen Angel, our emcee and Ben Price (impersonator/comedian).

Congratulations to all of our 2020 National Y Australia Awards winners:

Program of Excellence Award 

This award seeks to highlight the work of a YMCA Association which has developed or continued a program that delivers outcomes to communities and supports the YMCA mission and belief. Congratulations – T@Y Thursdays at the Y (Bundaberg)

Staff Member of the Year

​This award is for exceptional service, innovative practice and a commitment to the YMCA mission and Belief.
Congratulations – Gary Adsett (Brisbane) 

Safeguarding Award             ​

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 (open to staff & volunteers). Congratulations – Michael Delaney & Jessica Gaunt (Victoria).

Volunteer Of the Year   ​

This award is for exceptional service, innovative practice and a commitment to the YMCA mission and belief. Congratulations – Noel Hooper (Geelong).

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. Congratulations – Leon Tan (Victoria).

The Power Of Inspired Young People

This award seeks to highlight the impact of a YMCA 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. Congratulations – Martin Johnson (WA).

2020 Hero Awards

We also celebrated our special 2020 Award – the Hero Award recipients nationally, a one-off event for this COVID-19 year, where we saw heroes rise up across our Movement, who we wanted to recognise. The Hero Award seeks to celebrate a staff member or team from each association who has demonstrated the Y brand traits; heroic, creative and nurturing throughout the 2020 year.

Hero awards:
Di McDonald (Y Australia), Rachel Uaisele (Ballarat), Brooke Price and Sam Donaldson (Brisbane), Andrew O’Neil (Canberra), Palmerston Youth Space (NT), James Weston (Victoria), Wendy Thornbury (Whittlesea), Shona Eland (Geelong), Elizabeth Burge (Hobart), Kira Beattie (INEA), Y NSW Product Marketing Team (NSW), COVID Vacation Care Team (SA), Children’s Services Team (WA), David Beach (Y Services).

Special recognition awards:
Jodie Johnson, 40 years of service at Y Launceston.
Simon Hammond, Y Believer Award, for significant work and support to the Y.

See all of our Awards videos – https://ymca.org.au/about-us/our-awards/