TASMANIA

Tasmanian Community Achievement Awards

2025 Tasmanian Community Achievement Award Winners

 

All Winners on stage

  

Active Tasmania Award

Reclink Tasmania of New Town delivers lasting impact and stronger, more inclusive communities. Reclink Tasmania is creating opportunities for disadvantaged Tasmanians through free, inclusive sport, arts and recreation programs. They partner with over 90 organisations and deliver over 35 unique activities, ranging from inter-school tournaments and disability-inclusive programs to CALD and Aboriginal initiatives. Their Community Sports Series engages almost 2,000 high school students annually, with scholarships connecting participants to local clubs. Their all-abilities programs offer over 100 inclusive opportunities each year, while partnerships with councils, schools and sporting bodies expand access to swimming, gym, and outdoor activities. Despite limited staff, they continuously build strong partnerships.

Winner Reclink Tasmania (left) presented by Craig Limkin, Secretary, Department of State Growth

 

Blueline Empowerment through Diversity and Inclusion Award

Grace Chia of Claremont is reshaping Tasmania’s music landscape through diversity, empowerment and inclusion. The founder of CHIA Studios, Grace has produced over 30 inclusive events, created safe spaces for women and gender-diverse artists, and mentored emerging talents, migrants and at-risk youth. Her programs at community houses, youth justice centres and the Migrant Resource Centre build confidence, creativity and resilience, while her grassroots events provide platforms for underrepresented voices. Grace is a community activist. Her music, informed by her lived experience as a woman of colour, amplifies social issues and inspires change. She has performed at DARK MOFO, Party in the Paddock and global fundraisers.

Winner Grace Chia (left) presented by Allan Dickins, Chief Operating Officer, Blueline

 

CareSuper Caring for the Community Award

Lions Club of King Island embodies service and care. In response to the worst drought in living memory, the King Island Lions Club launched a comprehensive Drought Relief Project in 2024. Their efforts included distributing fodder, molasses, and care packages, hosting social events, providing suicide prevention training, and ensuring local businesses were assisted. More than 1,500 islanders were engaged through initiatives such as “Hay Day” and “Coffee Connections”. This helped feed livestock and families and reduced social isolation, improved mental health, and strengthened community resilience. They were recognised with the 2024 Lions Kindness Matters Service Award and 2025 King Island Community Group of the Year. 

Winner Lions Club of King Island presented by Jess Munday, Member Representative Director, CareSuper (middle)

 

EPA Sustainability Award (Community)

Nipaluna Nursery of New Town is committed to restoring Tasmania’s biodiversity and building climate resilience. Established in 2021, Nipaluna Nursery is a volunteer-driven, not-for-profit organisation that has propagated and distributed over 50,000 native plants. Its work enhances soil stability, water retention, wildlife habitat, and carbon sequestration. The Nursery also creates social impact through an inclusive community of 100+ members, hands-on education programs with schools, and cultural collaborations with Aboriginal leaders. Its international reach includes supporting the Cook Islands with planting resources and grant sponsorship. Through workshops, partnerships, and innovation, Nipaluna Nursery demonstrates how grassroots action can heal landscapes, strengthen communities, and reconnect people with Country.

Winner Nipaluna Nursery (left) presented by Andrew Paul, Chairperson, EPA

 

EPA Sustainability Award (Industry)

Ashgrove Cheese of Elizabeth Town advocates for sustainable dairy production. This family-owned Tasmanian dairy manufacturer is pioneering climate-smart farming with its world-first Eco Milk initiative. In partnership with agri-tech innovator Sea Forest, Ashgrove Farms introduced a native seaweed feed that reduces methane emissions from cows by around 25%, verified without compromising animal welfare or milk quality. Branded as Eco Milk and recognised nationally and internationally, the product brings climate action directly to consumers, offering a practical way to reduce environmental impact through everyday choices. The initiative strengthens Tasmania’s clean-tech economy, supports local jobs, and shows family businesses can drive innovation.

Winner Ashgrove Cheese presented by Andrew Paul, Chairperson, EPA (left)

 

Fonterra Agriculture Award

Pasture.io of Flowerdale is strengthening agriculture through farmer-led technology and innovation. Created by Tasmanian farmer Ollie Roberts, Pasture.io has transformed a simple farm spreadsheet into a world-leading satellite-based pasture management platform. Now used in 13 countries, it combines AI, machine learning and satellite imagery to deliver near-daily, real-time insights that help farmers make smarter, evidence-based grazing decisions. By increasing efficiency, reducing guesswork, and supporting sustainable land use, Pasture.io enables both small family farms and large operations to improve productivity and profitability. Recognised with multiple Tasmanian Export Awards for Advanced Technologies, the platform is also part of Fonterra New Zealand’s On-Farm Solutions program.

Winner Pasture.io presented by Alison Hall, Corporate and Specialty Milk Manager, Fonterra Oceania (left)

 

Healthy Tasmania Health and Wellbeing Award

Palliative Care Tasmania is the state’s peak body for palliative and end-of-life care. Learning Through Loss is a nationally recognised grief literacy program developed by Palliative Care Tasmania that was shaped by the lived experience of young Tasmanians. Since 2022, the program has trained more than 1,170 educators, youth workers, health and community professionals across 174 schools and 162 organisations, including those in rural and remote communities. To date, over 11,000 grief resources, including the children’s book ‘What Is Grief?’, have been distributed to schools, hospitals, and community organisations, helping normalise conversations about grief and strengthen local support networks. Over 90% of participants said they were highly likely to implement at least one of the key learnings, and 99.8% said they would recommend the training to their colleagues.

Winner Palliative Care Tasmania presented by The Hon Madeleine Ogilvie MP. Minister for Environment, Minister for Innovation, Science, and the Digital Economy, Minister for Community and Multicultural Affairs and Minister for Arts and Heritage, representing the Minister for Mental Health and Wellbeing (right)

 

Heather & Christopher Chong Outstanding Achiever Award

Daniel Edwards of Burnie is building a community-driven future for STEM in Tasmania. Daniel is the founding CEO of GreenSTEM Education, a charity and national partner for the Greenpower program. A recipient of the 2024 Prime Minister’s Prize for Excellence in Science Teaching, Daniel has pioneered inclusive, high-impact programs that bring STEM to life for young people, particularly those from disadvantaged or underrepresented backgrounds. His initiatives include STEM Unlimited, a free weekly after-school program; Tasmania’s largest science and engineering fair for students; and Australia’s first Greenpower electric vehicle racing teams. He has established resource loan systems, partnerships, and scalable models that ensure equity of access.

Winner Daniel Edwards presented by Councillor for Clarence City Council, Heather Chong (right)

 

Kieser Hobart Intergenerational Community Award

Michelle Williamson of Wynyard created a welcoming space where all ages come together to grow, share, and thrive. Michelle founded Farm It Forward Tasmania in 2021. Her initiative delivers more than 60 free or low-cost workshops each month, covering gardening, cooking, sewing, woodworking, basket weaving, and more. At the heart of the program is a 5-acre community garden, where produce is grown and donated to local food hubs, while also serving as a teaching space where seniors pass on skills to younger generations. Volunteers from teens to people in their 80s participate, fostering inclusion, resilience, and connection. Michelle’s leadership has supported vulnerable families with fresh produce.

Kieser Hobart team onstage with the winners trophy 

 

Konica Minolta Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples Community Achievement Award

Nita Education of Garden Island Creek is fostering greater understanding, respect, and reconciliation. Palawa founders Trish and Craig established Nita Education in 2017 to preserve and share Tasmanian Aboriginal culture and history with all. Through cultural awareness training, school visits, and bush tucker experiences, they connect students, communities, and visitors with the rich traditions of the Palawa people. Their programs, aligned with the Australian Curriculum, provide engaging, respectful, and meaningful opportunities to learn about Aboriginal heritage, land, and practices. They challenge misconceptions, strengthen community connections, and ensure cultural integrity is upheld. They also empower Aboriginal people, especially youth, to stay connected to their culture and land.

Winner Nita Education (left) presented by Sam Allwright, Sales Manager Tasmania, Winc

 

MAIB Community Safety Award

The Salvation Army Street Teams Tasmania of Hobart is creating safer nightlife environments through care, compassion, and early intervention. Street Teams is a volunteer-driven, late-night safety initiative introduced by The Salvation Army. Every weekend, trained volunteers patrol nightlife precincts, offering first aid, de-escalation, and practical support such as water, hot drinks, and safe transport. Since launching in 2015, the program has dramatically improved public safety, including a recorded 53% reduction in assaults in Hobart’s Salamanca district. In 2023–24 alone, the Street Teams engaged over 13,000 patrons, intervened in nearly 250 serious intoxication cases, defused 48 fights, supported 18 people in mental health crises, and prevented dozens of ambulance call-outs.

Winner The Salvation Army Street Teams Tasmania presented by Derek Thurm, Chief Financial Officer, MAIB (left)

 

MAIB Disability Achievement Award

Jane Wardlaw of Launceston is a disability advocate, researcher, and consultant. Living with Limb Girdle Muscular Dystrophy, she founded the Tasmania Disability Lobby in 2010, driving early advocacy for the NDIS and later co-founding a support coordination service. Jane’s roles include being part of the Premier’s Disability Advisory Council, the Minister’s Disability Consultative Group, and her 2025 appointment to the NDIS Independent Advisory Council. She has shaped landmark reforms, including Tasmania’s Disability Inclusion and Safeguarding Bill 2024, establishing a Disability Commissioner. Through her PhD research, teaching, consulting, and #OurSayMatters campaign, she continues to advance disability rights, embed lived experience in policy, and mentor emerging leaders.

Winner Jane Wardlaw presented Teena James, Injury Management Advisor, MAIB (right)

 

People's Choice Award

Santosh Adhikari of Riverside is strengthening diversity, leadership, and social cohesion across Tasmania. As founding President of the Nepali Society of Northern Tasmania (NSNT), he helped establish its CBD office and secure over $75,000 in grants for programs in cultural preservation, research, and community awareness. His initiatives include Bhashalaya, a language and cultural school engaging 300+ students across three generations, and community consultation research projects influencing state and federal policy. Santosh has also fostered sporting clubs and different migrant stakeholders, building trust and promoting strength of diversity. During his tenure, NSNT received the MCOT’s 2020 Society Award (North) and is a national award semi-finalist.

Winner Santosh Adhikari presented by Kaz from Triple M Breakfast Hobart