Vision Super

Well done to the nominees who received an Honourable Mention in the Environment, Infrastructure and Recreation Local Heroes Award – Regional category, coming very close to winning one of the official prizes.

Naomi, Ben, Lee, Debbie and Leteisha from Cessnock City Council's Waste Management Centre were recognised for their extraordinary courage, teamwork and compassion during a workplace medical emergency in September 2025. When a colleague suffered a major heart attack, Naomi, Ben and Lee acted immediately, performing CPR and using a defibrillator to sustain his life until paramedics arrived, while Debbie and Leteisha coordinated vital support behind the scenes.

Paramedics confirmed their swift actions gave their colleague valuable extra time, allowing him to spend his final days with family. The facility remained operational during the incident, requiring staff to simultaneously manage members of the public onsite. Despite the distressing circumstances, the team remained calm, professional and supportive, demonstrating the very best of local government service.

Well done to our runner-up in the Families, Health and Community Development Local Heroes Award – Regional, Joshua Wiffen from City of Wollongong.

Joshua has made a significant contribution to youth and community development across the Illawarra and Wollongong region. Through his work in local government and community programs, he has led initiatives supporting community safety, homelessness services, First Nations engagement, and inclusion for women, LGBTIQ+, neurodiverse, and disadvantaged communities.

He has delivered outreach programs focused on food security, recreation, employment pathways, and creative engagement for young people. Joshua has also developed arts, music, and wellbeing initiatives that strengthen community connection and participation.

Beyond his professional role, he volunteers within the local trail running community, coordinating inclusive events and developing a female-focused outdoor running program that promotes safety, confidence, and social connection. His leadership and dedication continue to create positive and lasting community impact.

Congratulations to Jerome Simpson and Josh Townsend from Armidale Regional Council for winning the Families, Health and Community Development Local Heroes Award – Regional.

Jerome and Josh led the introduction of the TradeMutt initiative by wearing brightly coloured hats designed to spark conversations about mental health. Their efforts quickly gained support from management and staff, leading to the rollout of over 400 TradeMutt shirts and hats across council workplaces and increased awareness of the TIACS counselling service for blue-collar workers.

Together, Jerome and Josh have helped create a more open, supportive, and connected workplace culture, encouraging staff to speak openly about wellbeing and seek help when needed. Their efforts have since expanded beyond council, inspiring local businesses and other councils to adopt similar mental health strategies. Through their leadership, Armidale has been recognised as a strong advocate for mental health awareness, demonstrating how a simple grassroots idea can create meaningful and lasting change across an entire community.

Well done to Rebecca from Wollondilly Shire Council who received an Honourable Mention in the Environment, Infrastructure and Recreation Local Heroes Award – Regional category, coming very close to winning one of the official prizes.

Rebecca is a dedicated union delegate who consistently goes above and beyond to support workers and advocate for fairer outcomes. She volunteers significant personal time attending meetings, training sessions and supporting staff with workplace issues, while also standing up for individuals and groups facing discrimination or disadvantage. Known for her can-do attitude and practical approach, Rebecca is a trusted source of support and solutions for colleagues across the community.

Well done to our runner-up in the Environment, Infrastructure and Recreation Local Heroes Award – Regional, Jessica Anderson from Goulburn Valley Libraries.

Jess was nominated for her outstanding leadership and commitment to environmental sustainability within Victoria’s public library sector. After participating in the Shared Leadership Program through Public Libraries Victoria (PLV) and the State Library, she teamed up with Rachel D’Arcy from Brimbank Libraries to drive sustainability initiatives across Victorian libraries. Together, they established a Sustainability Special Interest Group with 150 subscribers, developed a sustainability portal and interactive map, and secured the Barrett Reid Scholarship.

Their report, Public Libraries and Sustainability in Victoria (2025), provides practical guidelines across areas including waste reduction, First Nations engagement, and reducing carbon footprints. Their work has influenced libraries across Victoria, been presented at major conferences in Australia and internationally, and has helped promote long-term sustainable and inclusive practices within the library sector.

Congratulations to Harcourt Fire Responders from the City of Greater Bendigo for winning the Environment, Infrastructure and Recreation Local Heroes Award – Regional.

This group of employees played a critical frontline role during the devastating Harcourt bushfires, displaying courage and selflessness during a major regional disaster. In the face of hazardous and fast-changing conditions, they demonstrated outstanding professionalism, resilience, and an unwavering commitment to protecting the community.

During the emergency, these staff members were deployed directly to the fireground, where their actions had an immediate and significant impact on community safety. Their work included grading and maintaining fire containment lines to protect homes and infrastructure, coordinating and delivering fuel supply to keep machinery and emergency equipment operational, and providing water cartage that directly supported firefighting efforts. Their calm and capable presence strengthened the overall response and supported emergency services at a time of high pressure.

Well done to Arif from City of Greater Dandenong who received an Honourable Mention in the Families, Health and Community Development Local Heroes Award – Metropolitan category, coming very close to winning one of the official prizes.

Arif has been a dedicated Community Connector since the COVID pandemic, supporting more than 800 vulnerable individuals and families through compassionate, culturally informed assistance. Speaking over five languages and drawing on his own migrant experience, he has helped community members access housing, healthcare, education, employment and social support through partnerships with over 50 organisations.

Arif has gone above and beyond to provide practical aid, advocate for families in crisis, and connect people to long-term services, earning deep trust and gratitude from the community. His empathy and tireless commitment have made him a vital bridge between vulnerable residents and essential support services.

Well done to our runner-up in the Families, Health and Community Development Local Heroes Award – Metropolitan, April Wilson from Nillumbik Shire Council.

April drives the implementation of council’s Gender Equality Action Plan, ensuring that gender equity is embedded not only in policy, but also in organisational culture, decision-making and service delivery. April leads an internal program of Gender Equity Advocates, which has contributed to the completion of more than 120 equity impact assessments across the organisation over the past four years.

She also strengthens collaboration across the family violence sector, co-convening the local Family Violence Network, and supports grassroots sporting clubs across multiple councils to improve gender equity and inclusion. Alongside her professional achievements, April has dedicated 15 years to coaching gymnastics and was recognised with the 2025 Service to Gymnastics Award from Gymnastics Victoria.

Congratulations to Ulfat Sifatullah from City of Greater Dandenong for winning the Families, Health and Community Development Local Heroes Award – Metropolitan.

Since joining the Dandenong Zero Project in 2022, Ulfat has demonstrated strong leadership and commitment to supporting people experiencing homelessness. He has contributed to helping 42 individuals secure long-term housing and played a key role in establishing the municipality’s first By Name List (BNL), which supports coordinated outreach to around 70 vulnerable community members.

Ulfat’s work has strengthened collaboration across homelessness services, improved referral pathways, and increased access to essential supports such as housing, health, and financial assistance. Beyond his formal duties, he also coordinated fundraising initiatives, including a partnership with Dandenong Square that raised approximately $1,700 for emergency accommodation.

Well done to the two nominees who received Honourable Mentions in the Environment, Infrastructure and Recreation Local Heroes Award – Metropolitan category, coming very close to winning one of the official prizes.

Ella is a local hero through their work in the Climate Emergency and Environment team at Brimbank City Council, helping restore habitats and lead community planting initiatives like National Tree Day. As a dedicated ASU delegate, they have been a strong leader and advocate for workers’ rights, especially for young and marginalised staff, showing courage and support during a challenging year.

Sarah (Sven) from City of Melbourne is an outstanding leader in community sport whose work has significantly advanced equitable participation in community sport, particularly for women, girls and gender diverse people. Through their role in the Fair Access program, they have played a pivotal role in implementing initiatives that strengthen inclusive practices across community sporting clubs and championed opportunities for women and girls to actively participate in sport.