Excellence in community services

Kim Duong

Ishar Multicultural Women’s Health Services
Mirrabooka, WA

Kim is recognised for her work empowering migrant and refugee women through accessible, culturally appropriate healthcare. 

As Health Services Manager at Ishar Multicultural Women’s Health Services, a nonprofit organisation supporting women from diverse backgrounds, Kim leads a team of 18 multilingual staff and contractors delivering health education, medical access, mental health, and nutrition support.

Drawing from her own experience as the child of Vietnamese refugees, Kim ensures Ishar’s services address language and cultural barriers. She has recruited, nurtured and trained diverse women to become successful bilingual health educators, enabling Ishar to deliver women's health education in 9 languages, reaching over 6,000 participants across Perth. 

Under Kim’s leadership, Ishar’s innovative approach bridges gaps in health literacy, fosters confidence, and empowers women to make informed decisions about their health. Kim’s dedication to equity and inclusion has created a lasting impact, reducing health disparities and promoting well-being in culturally diverse communities. 

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George Halkias

The Big Issue Australia
Melbourne VIC

George is a respected community leader who uses his passion for sport to address significant community issues. 

George is the co-founder and National Coach of The Big Issue Community Street Soccer Program. His work has impacted over 11,000 people from marginalised backgrounds since its pilot in 2004, including people facing homelessness, mental health challenges, and social isolation. Operating in over 30 locations across the country, the program fosters community, physical activity, and healthier lifestyle choices.

George has coached the Australian Homeless World Cup Team 12 times, with 80% of players experiencing transformative outcomes like overcoming homelessness and addiction. His work encompasses programs for young refugees and prisoners, with a focus on rehabilitation and inclusion.

With 96% of Street Soccer participants reporting a more positive outlook on life, George’s initiatives deliver measurable impacts, including improved health and reduced substance use. A pioneer in sport for development, he inspires stronger, healthier communities nationwide.

Joel Orchard

Wardell CORE Neighbourhood Centre
Wardell, NSW

Joel is a visionary leader in community resilience and disaster recovery. He is the co-founder and director of WardellCORE, a grassroots-led response to the 2022 Northern Rivers floods. His practical, community-driven approach ensures local people are equipped, connected, and supported in times of crisis and beyond. 

With the help of Joel’s leadership, WardellCORE has supported vulnerable populations, including seniors, single parents, and displaced families, through initiatives focused on food security, mental health programs, and social connection.

WardellCORE has become a trusted hub for disaster response and community well-being. Over 3,000 fresh food hampers have been supplied, and 2,500 free counselling sessions have been provided, significantly improving mental health, food security and social resilience in Wardell and beyond. Partnering with relief agencies and sponsors, it has provided over $500,000 in aid to people experiencing hardship. 

Joel’s advocacy has helped promote community-led recovery models and the recognition of Neighbourhood Centres as critical disaster recovery services.

Cherished Pets Foundation Care Team

Cherished Pets
Ocean Grove, VIC

The Cherished Pets Foundation Care Team, led by Dr Alicia Kennedy, supports vulnerable people and their pets in Geelong facing crisis or disadvantage.

The team provides veterinary and social services to ensure that pets are not a barrier to accessing help, ensuring companion animals are kept healthy and safe and remain with their owners during crises such as homelessness, family violence, or mental health challenges.

Key programs include home care assistance, emergency pet care plans and crisis care.

In 2024, 75 volunteers delivered over 2,600 hours to provide pet transport, dog walking, and emotional support. The Crisis Care Program provided 250 services, offering immediate assistance for pets during family violence, mental health crises, and homelessness. Community Vet Nurses provided 200 in-home visits to help maintain pet health.

The team has created lasting, positive change for both vulnerable people and their pets, strengthening the human-animal bond and promoting health, well-being, and social connection across the community.

Cockburn Aboriginal Ear Health Program Team

Cockburn Integrated Health
Success, WA

The Cockburn Aboriginal Ear Health Program Team is recognised for its work in helping close the gap in ear health for Aboriginal children in Western Australia, where 1 in 2 suffer middle ear disease by 12 months. 

Established in 2019, the service provides free, timely, and culturally safe ear health care, including audiology, ENT reviews, surgeries, and speech pathology. 

Delivered in collaboration with a range of service providers, it ensures accessibility and cultural safety while addressing long public wait times. 

The program has grown to run over 20 clinics annually in the Perth Metropolitan Area, seeing more than 400 Aboriginal children from various locations and performing over 100 surgeries per year. Families are supported with transport, reminders and other support resources, and welcomed with culturally safe practices. 

The service has life-changing impacts on hearing and communication, with an average wait time of 30 days for clinic appointments. Children and families have experienced life-changing impact, with hearing restored and communication flourishing because of the service provided by the team. 

Education Pathways Program Team

Launch Housing
South Melbourne, VIC

The Education Pathways Program (EPP) Team is recognised for its vital work in improving educational outcomes for children experiencing homelessness and family violence. The team works to support kindergarten and primary school attendance and engagement, working in partnerships to support families.

Operating since 2016, EPP supports around 200 children annually by addressing barriers to education through a trauma-informed, multidisciplinary approach. It is the only homelessness service in Victoria with a specific focus on education engagement for children under 12.

The team includes social workers, a speech pathologist, an educational psychologist, and a program coordinator, who provide tailored support, including help with school enrolments, referrals, developmental assessments and therapeutic group activities. Children not only access education but receive the emotional, developmental, and practical support necessary to thrive.

Since the program’s inception, over 1000 children have re-engaged with education, making a real difference in helping break the cycle of disadvantage.