TASMANIA

Tasmanian Community Achievement Awards

2024 Tasmanian Community Achievement Award Winners

 

All Winners on stage

 

Active Tasmania Award

Get Active Program | GAP is improving health outcomes. GAP is an initiative of the Womensport and Recreation Tasmania. It has been transforming lives since 2004 by promoting physical activity and health literacy across Tasmania. Designed for those most at risk due to inactivity, GAP has reached over 4,000 participants, offering tailored programs that address barriers like low confidence and motivation. In 2023-24, GAP delivered 19 workshops to 177 participants, with 95% reporting increased physical activity and improved well-being. The program’s success lies in its community-driven approach, engaging diverse age groups and backgrounds. By fostering long-term healthy habits, GAP continues to make a meaningful impact.

Winner Get Active Program | GAP (right) and Geoff Griffin (left)

 

Awards Australia Community Group Award

Just Cats Tasmania is shaping a better future for feline welfare. Founded in 2012 by Rachel Beech, Just Cats Tasmania has rehomed over 11,000 cats and kittens. What began as a small rescue has evolved into a leading cat management facility with 10 staff, 50 volunteers, and 48 foster carers. Their new public desexing clinic, supported by philanthropic funding, is already making a significant impact on reducing stray cat populations in Northern Tasmania. With innovative programs like 'Last Litters' and a committed team, Just Cats provides affordable vet services, ensuring more cats find loving homes. They are backed by strong community support.

Winner Just Cats (left) and CEO for Cancer Council Tasmania, Alison Lai (right)

 

Blueline Laundry Empowerment through Diversity and Inclusion Award

Build Up Tassie of Bridgewater is committed to supporting young Tasmanians with barriers to employment. Established by Centacare Evolve Housing, Build Up Tassie offers holistic coaching, wellbeing support, and industry-relevant training. The program’s three-phase approach, from orientation to employment, ensures participants are well-prepared for careers in construction. In 2023, the initiative achieved a 91% completion rate, with 39% of participants being female. Build Up Tassie has driven significant industry change, including increasing female participation and supporting diversity. Their partnerships with industry leaders like St Joseph Affordable Homes have resulted in higher retention rates and meaningful employment outcomes, making a lasting impact on Tasmania’s construction sector.

Winner Build Up Tassie, Centacare Evolve Housing (right) and CEO for Blueline Laundry, Michael Sylvester (left)

 

EPA Sustainability Award (Community)

Sustainable Living Tasmania is transforming environmental education. Their Energised Learning project embeds renewable energy into the STEM curriculum across Tasmanian secondary schools. It engaged students in real-world, practical, and hands-on sustainability challenges, including designing solar hot water systems, converting bikes to electric power, and creating a mobile renewable power station. These projects have significantly improved energy efficiency, reduced carbon footprints, and fostered a culture of environmental responsibility. By connecting students with industry professionals and tradespeople, the project enhances learning experiences and career prospects. Its resource-sharing efforts continue to inspire and support broader adoption of sustainable practices.

Winner Sustainable Living Tasmania (left) and Chair of EPA Board, Andrew Paul (right)

 

EPA Sustainability Award (Industry)

Lenah Game Meats harvests and processes wild Bennett’s Wallaby, Brushtail Possums and deer into high-value food & fibre products from animals that would otherwise be culled and wasted. Wallaby meat is Lenah’s signature product, a high quality meat containing low levels of embedded carbon. Wallaby harvesting offers a new paradigm for Tasmanian agriculture, enabling landowners to produce high quality, low embedded carbon protein. Consumption of Lenah’s wallaby meat has abated over 92,000,000kg of carbon emissions over the 31 years of operation. The business prioritises zero waste, with creative uses for skins, bones, and other by-products.

Winner Lenah Game Meats (left & right) and Chair of EPA Board, Andrew Paul (center)

 

Fonterra Agriculture Award

Safe Farming Tasmania is supporting farm resilience and improving farm safety across the state. Established in 2015 by former program lead Phil John and now spearheaded by Stuart Beams, Safe Farming Tasmania is a pioneering program that is offering tailored safety plans, educating farmers, and fostering safety discussions. Under Stuart’s leadership, Safe Farming has successfully managed COVID-19 risks, ensured the safe continuation of regional events, and collaborated extensively with industry stakeholders. The program’s efforts have led to a notable decrease in farm injuries and fatalities, showcasing its vital role in safeguarding Tasmania’s agricultural community. Through its initiatives, Safe Farming continues to enhance safety culture and drive positive change in the sector.

Winner Safe Farming Tasmania (left & right) and National Farm Milk Collection Manager for Fonterra Oceania, Darren Smart (center)

 

Healthy Tasmania Health and Wellbeing Award

Health Action Team Central Highlands (HATCH) of Ouse is a committed volunteer organisation focused on improving health and well-being in rural areas. Their Highlands Healthy Connect project has expanded to include weekly exercise classes, yoga programs, and community cooking groups, along with social activities to combat loneliness. HATCH also addresses food security with a community food hub and meal delivery program. Their initiatives have fostered better eating habits, increased physical activity, and enhanced mental health, all while relying on a network of passionate volunteers and local partnerships to drive their impactful work forward.

Winner Health Action Team Central Highlands (HATCH) (left & right) and The Honourable Jacquie Petrusma MP (center)

 

Heather & Christopher Chong Outstanding Achiever Award

Aimen Jafri of Howrah is advocating for multicultural integration and community building. Since migrating to Tasmania in 2018, Aimen has been a tireless volunteer. She has championed significant projects such as the Walk project with former Premier Peter Gutwein, raising awareness of migrant contributions. Aimen has also advocated for racial justice and supported victims of discrimination. As Chair of the Multicultural Council of Tasmania and Director of Lutruwita Arts Orchestra, she plays a key role in fostering cultural understanding and social cohesion. Her impact extends her roles with the Tasmanian Islamic Foundation and Reconciliation Tasmania. In 2021, Aimen received Awards Australia’s Outstanding Community Achievement Award.

Winner Aimen Jafri (left) and Councillor for Clarence City Council, Heather Chong (right)

 

Konica Minolta Customer Service Award

Craigie Knowe Vineyard of Cranbrook is committed to exceptional service. Run by father and son duo, Glenn and Alex Travers, Craigie Knowe Vineyard is the oldest vineyard on Tasmania’s East Coast. Since taking over, they’ve expanded it into a vibrant destination that includes a cellar door, Flora’s Restaurant, and live music events, all while preserving its rich history and warm, family-friendly atmosphere. Craigie Knowe also collaborates with the local community. Their inclusive approach to hospitality ensures that every visitor, whether a wine enthusiast or a family with children, feels welcomed and valued. In 2024, they earned the “Guest Love Award” in the Food and Beverage category.

Winner Craigie Knowe Vineyard (left & right) and Tasmanian Sales Manager for WINC, Sam Allwright (center)

 

MAIB Community Safety Award

Rural Alive & Well of Perth (RAW) is dedicated to enhancing mental health and preventing suicide in Tasmania's rural and remote communities. Over 15 years, this charitable organisation has grown from a grassroots initiative into a state-wide force with 26 staff, offering proactive outreach and personalised support. Their programs focus on early intervention, resilience-building, and reducing the stigma around mental health. By employing staff with backgrounds in agriculture and rural industries, RAW creates genuine connections, helping break down barriers for those in need. Their impact is evident in the strengthened community ties, increased awareness, and improved mental fitness among Tasmania’s rural population, ensuring mental health support is accessible.

Winner Rural Alive & Well (left & right) and Chief Financial Officer for MAIB, Derek Thurm (second from the right)

 

MAIB Disability Achievement Award

Heidi La Paglia Reid is a recognised disability rights advocate with over a decade of experience in policy and systemic advocacy. In the past 18 months, Heidi played a key role in shaping Australia’s first National Autism Strategy and over multiple years, led the policy work of Women With Disabilities Australia. Locally, Heidi is committed to building up the disability community and has recently been working to address support gaps for Autistic Tasmanians, post the closure of Autism Tasmania. Day to day, Heidi runs her own consultancy, helping organisations to advocate for and embrace disability rights, gender equality, and neuro-inclusion.

Winner Heidi La Paglia Reid (left) and Chief Operating Officer for MAIB, Belinda Pratt (right)

 

People's Choice Award

Just Cats Tasmania is shaping a better future for feline welfare. Founded in 2012 by Rachel Beech, Just Cats Tasmania has rehomed over 11,000 cats and kittens. What began as a small rescue has evolved into a leading cat management facility with 10 staff, 50 volunteers, and 48 foster carers. Their new public desexing clinic, supported by philanthropic funding, is already making a significant impact on reducing stray cat populations in Northern Tasmania. With innovative programs like 'Last Litters' and a committed team, Just Cats provides affordable vet services, ensuring more cats find loving homes. They are backed by strong community support.

Winner Just Cats (right) and The Honourable Jacquie Petrusma MP (left)