Local Heroes

Awards 2025

Thursday 15 May 2025

Recognising the outstanding contributions of local government workers

Congratulations to our 2025 winners and runners-up! The Local Heroes Awards will be back in 2026 – stay tuned for more details.

In partnership with the Australian Services Union (ASU), the Vision Super Local Heroes Awards are designed to bring much-needed recognition to the work of local government employees who go above and beyond for their community.

Nominations are open to all local government workers in Victoria, including employees of associated organisations operated by the council, and local libraries. Nominations may be made on behalf of others or self-nominated.

$1,000 grand prize for the winners!

A $1,000 gift card grand prize was presented to the winner of each category and $500 gift cards to the runners-up to acknowledge the outstanding contribution made by these individuals or groups.

Categories and criteria

To be nominated, the local government or library worker(s) must demonstrate at least one of the following criteria:

  • Made a significant difference to a community or member of a community
  • Contributed to the safety of an individual or group in the community
  • Made a substantial contribution to the welfare of a vulnerable person or group in the community.

An effective nomination clearly explains why the nominee is deserving of the award, what sets their contribution apart from others, and describes the impact or outcome of their contribution.

Nominations are eligible for one of the following four awards categories, based on whether the nominee works for a metropolitan or regional council and in what capacity they have positively impacted their community.

1) Environment, Infrastructure and Recreation Local Heroes Award – Metropolitan

This award is open to local government workers from metropolitan councils.

2) Families, Health and Community Development Local Heroes Award – Metropolitan

This award is open to local government workers from metropolitan councils.

3) Environment, Infrastructure and Recreation Local Heroes Award – Regional

This award is open to local government workers from regional and rural councils.

4) Families, Health and Community Development Local Heroes Award – Regional

This award is open to local government workers from regional and rural councils.

Contributions or initiatives that are eligible for the environment, infrastructure and recreation category could relate to:

  • Parks and gardens
  • Environmental sustainability
  • Asset and infrastructure projects (any size and cost)
  • Disaster readiness and recovery
  • Sportsgrounds and leisure centres
  • Outdoor festivals and events.

Contributions or initiatives that are eligible for the families, health and community development category could relate to:

  • Child, maternal and community care
  • Community partnerships
  • Diversity and inclusion
  • Libraries and community centres
  • Theatre and the arts
  • Digital and technology projects.
Nominate now

Key dates

Nominations open: 22 January 2025 | Nominations close: 4 April 2025

Winners announced: 15 May 2025 at the Local Heroes Gala Awards Ceremony

The Local Heroes 2025 Gala Awards Ceremony will be held at Victorian Trades Hall Council in Carlton.

2024 highlights reel

How to submit your nomination

You can nominate an individual or group by filling out a nomination form online. You’ll need contact details for you and the nominee/s (if you are submitting on behalf of someone else) to complete your nomination, so make sure you have these ready.

The awards are free to enter. To be a valid entry, the nominee must be a Victorian resident over the age of 18 and the act/contribution described in the nomination must have taken place between 1 January 2024 and 4 April 2025. You can find the full Terms and Conditions for the Vision Super Local Heroes Awards here.

This year, we are trialling the option to submit a video entry in place of a written nomination. Videos should be a maximum of five minutes in length and answer the same question as written nominations: why is the nominee a local hero? Videos are not compulsory – it is up to you whether you want to submit your nomination as a video or in writing.

There are several ways you can share your video:

  • We recommend uploading your video to a video hosting platform like YouTube or Vimeo and including the link in the nomination form. While the video is uploading, you can set the privacy settings to “Unlisted” so only those with the link can view the video.
  • Alternatively, you can email an MP4 file to [email protected] via Dropbox, Google Drive, WeTransfer or other appropriate platform.

Do you know a local hero making a
difference in your community?

Nominations close Friday 4 April 2025.

Nominate now

Meet our winners and runners-up

2025 Winner

Families, Health and Community Development – Regional

Carol Rosentreter, Mitchell Shire Council

Carol is a Family Social Worker who regularly goes above and beyond, often in her own time and at her own expense, when responding to the needs of her clients. Carol has been known to arrange and participate in weekend clean ups of people's yards, deliver emergency food and formula to families late on Friday afternoons and provide flexible appointment times out of hours to accommodate parents’ work commitments.

2025 Winner

Families, Health and Community Development – Metropolitan

Hoa Le, Brimbank City Council

In a community with more than 160 cultures represented, Hoa’s work as a CALD outreach worker for the kindergarten team is essential to ensure children get the best start in their lives. She uses trauma-informed practice techniques and her own lived experience as a refugee to support newly arrived families and families who have limited English to ensure their children are connected to maternal child health, kindergarten and playgroups across the municipality.

2025 Winner

Environment, Infrastructure and Recreation Award – Metropolitan

Jamie Cooke, Wyndham City Council

For well over a decade, Jamie has been an invaluable figure in the FReeZA program, a key initiative aimed at helping young people lead the planning, development and delivery of safe, youth-friendly events. Jamie’s mentorship has allowed young people in Melbourne’s west to take on real responsibilities and develop practical skills, which in turn has helped them grow as leaders and for many, even become professionals in the music industry.

2025 Winner

Environment, Infrastructure and Recreation Award – Regional

Rachel Whittaker, Northern Grampians Shire Council

When the devastating Grampians bushfires started in December 2024, Rachel was instrumental in supporting the Halls Gap community. She assisted with relief payment applications, correspondence between community and shire, and streamlining emergency funds for recovery activities, but was also the human face of council – being a friend, a neighbour and a trusted community member for people to talk to in their time of need.

2024 Winner

Neighbourhoods Team,
City of Melbourne

The team were nominated by their colleague Greta for demonstrating an unwavering dedication to their community. The team is made up of manager Michelle James and seven neighbourhood partners who provide support to communities living in the ten neighbourhoods within the City of Melbourne. The Neighbourhood Model provides a unique place-based approach to community engagement.

2023 Winner

Eleonora Tambourini,
Darebin City Council

Eleonora was nominated by her colleague Craig for her tireless commitment to her role as a Community Service Worker for more than 30 years. Eleonora goes the extra mile to assist many residents after hours, often in her own time and at her own expense. This includes transporting vulnerable people to and from appointments, shopping for them and just being there for a chat.

2021 Winner

Yarra Libraries Community Engagement Team, Yarra City Council

The Yarra Libraries team were nominated by their colleague Sophie for pivoting to assist the community during the pandemic. One library became a food relief centre, and the team worked with NGOs to distribute meals to people experiencing homelessness and international students ineligible for government support.

2025 Runner-up​

Declan Napier, Greater Shepparton City Council

Declan has played a key role in the council's Resilience in Recovery program, taking a community-led approach to disaster recovery. Declan has led a range of initiatives including community movie and comedy nights, psychological first aid training, and community check-in and emergency management planning sessions. Her leadership, community engagement skills and commitment to creating positive change at the ground level are creating strong social community ties in the region’s most flood impacted communities.

2025 Runner-up​

Fern Sugars and Melanie Van Dyk,
Yarra City Council

Melanie and Fern were nominated for their work as ASU delegates, putting themselves out there to stand up for workers and secure better outcomes for them. They often volunteer their own time for meetings, calls, attending various rallies, training sessions and campaigning events and were instrumental in getting the recent multi-council employer agreement over the line. They advocate for individuals or groups facing discrimination or disadvantage and raise the profile of important issues within the community.

2025 Runner-up​

Housing Services Team, Melton City Council

There has been a significant increase in the number of people experiencing homelessness, but a lack of services able to provide specialised support to these community members. The Housing Services Team led the establishment of a working group to develop the Rough Sleeping Response Initiative. This initiative allows the council and other key stakeholders, including Melbourne City Mission, IPC Health and Salvation Army, to pool their resources to better support people who are sleeping rough across the municipality.

2024 Runner-up​

Abbas Sheikh, Wyndham City Council

Abbas was nominated by his colleague Lucy for his Engaging Communities Through Sport initiative, which aims to bring together Culturally and Linguistically Diverse young people, newly-arrived young people, and those from refugee and asylum seeker backgrounds. This initiative has increased connection, understanding and inclusion of young people from diverse cultural backgrounds in the community.

2024 Runner-up​

Craig Waters, Darebin City Council

Craig was nominated by his colleague Eleonora for his support and advocacy of other City of Darebin staff, and his involvement in countless community organisations, including the CFA, Lions Club and RSL. A dedicated Scout Leader for over 40 years, he is passionate about bringing Aboriginal culture and ways of caring for the land to Victoria’s scouting movement.

2024 Runner-up​

Maree Renden, Wyndham City Council

Maree was nominated by her colleagues Caitlin and Clare for working tirelessly to protect people’s rights and their welfare. An ASU delegate for over 20 years, she is committed to getting the best outcomes for the Wyndham community and encourages her colleagues to stand up if they think the way council is working isn’t achieving that.

2024 Runner-up​

Millicent Burke, Moonee Valley City Council

Millicent was nominated by several local community environment groups for her unwavering commitment to environmental stewardship and community empowerment. She started a conservation network to bring together the different groups, and works with them and local Indigenous leaders to develop conservation projects with an ethos of respect and care for the land and its people at their core.

2023 Runner-up​

Adelaide Jones, Merri-Bek Libraries

Adelaide was nominated by their colleague Teishan for being instrumental in conceiving, planning and organising the Queer Youth Clothes Swap at Brunswick Library. This event provided an opportunity for queer and trans youth to obtain quality second-hand clothes which match their gender identity, for free. In addition to this, the event brought queer and trans youth together with fun art activities and put them in touch with vital support services.

2023 Runner-up​

Daniel Coon, Wyndham City Council

Daniel was nominated by his colleague Caitlin for acting in the roles of Family Violence Contact Officer, Mental Health First Aider, Union Representative and HSR Representative, and providing integral employee support. Dan is the first person to support and listen to others who may be going through a tough time, whilst maintaining employee confidentiality and rapport.

2023 Runner-up​

Moira Delegates Group, Moira Shire

The Moira Delegates Group were nominated by member Kristy for always striving to create a better workplace, particularly their strength and determination in advocating on behalf of their members and addressing workplace health and safety and industrial matters.

2023 Runner-up​

Nicole Migani-Roberts,
Melton City Council

Nicole was nominated by her colleague Aaron for achieving numerous positive outcomes for people with a disability and their carers. This included leading the development of council’s Disability Action Plan, submitting a successful funding application for an additional Changing Places facility and conducting an accessibility audit of shopfronts in the Melton town centre.

2021 Runner-up​

Debbie Bakker, Maroondah City Council

Debbie was nominated by her colleague Lisa for going beyond her role in providing assistance for families that are vulnerable due to domestic violence issues or other welfare issues. Debbie offers support through connections to outside agencies, and help negotiating Centrelink payments and filling out forms.

2021 Runner-up​

Laura Farrington, Geelong Regional Library Corporation

Laura was nominated by her colleague Wren for being a dedicated health, safety and wellness and SCC member, who is consistently unafraid to meet management head on to ensure her colleagues feel cared for, protected and safe in their workplace.

2021 Runner-up​

Lisette Pine, Knox City Council

Lisette was nominated by her colleague Linda for going above and beyond when responding to welfare or safety issues within the Knox community, particularly when advocating for the rights of diverse and/or marginalised groups such as First Nations people, LGBTIQ and CALD communities.

2021 Runner-up​

Rob Monohan, Wyndam City Council

Rob was nominated by his colleague Maree for supporting the Aboriginal community in Werribee, particularly volunteering many hours to put together a work group to help run the Wunggurrwil Dhurrung Centre, which provides a culturally safe meeting place for the local community.

2025 Winner

Families, Health and Community Development – Regional

Carol Rosentreter, Mitchell Shire Council

Carol is a Family Social Worker who regularly goes above and beyond, often in her own time and at her own expense, when responding to the needs of her clients. Carol has been known to arrange and participate in weekend clean ups of people's yards, deliver emergency food and formula to families late on Friday afternoons and provide flexible appointment times out of hours to accommodate parents’ work commitments.

2025 Winner

Families, Health and Community Development – Metropolitan

Hoa Le, Brimbank City Council

In a community with more than 160 cultures represented, Hoa’s work as a CALD outreach worker for the kindergarten team is essential to ensure children get the best start in their lives. She uses trauma-informed practice techniques and her own lived experience as a refugee to support newly arrived families and families who have limited English to ensure their children are connected to maternal child health, kindergarten and playgroups across the municipality.

2025 Winner

Environment, Infrastructure and Recreation Award – Metropolitan

Jamie Cooke, Wyndham City Council

For well over a decade, Jamie has been an invaluable figure in the FReeZA program, a key initiative aimed at helping young people lead the planning, development and delivery of safe, youth-friendly events. Jamie’s mentorship has allowed young people in Melbourne’s west to take on real responsibilities and develop practical skills, which in turn has helped them grow as leaders and for many, even become professionals in the music industry.

2025 Winner

Environment, Infrastructure and Recreation Award – Regional

Rachel Whittaker, Northern Grampians Shire Council

When the devastating Grampians bushfires started in December 2024, Rachel was instrumental in supporting the Halls Gap community. She assisted with relief payment applications, correspondence between community and shire, and streamlining emergency funds for recovery activities, but was also the human face of council – being a friend, a neighbour and a trusted community member for people to talk to in their time of need.

2024 Winner

Neighbourhoods Team,
City of Melbourne

The team were nominated by their colleague Greta for demonstrating an unwavering dedication to their community. The team is made up of manager Michelle James and seven neighbourhood partners who provide support to communities living in the ten neighbourhoods within the City of Melbourne. The Neighbourhood Model provides a unique place-based approach to community engagement.

2023 Winner

Eleonora Tambourini,
Darebin City Council

Eleonora was nominated by her colleague Craig for her tireless commitment to her role as a Community Service Worker for more than 30 years. Eleonora goes the extra mile to assist many residents after hours, often in her own time and at her own expense. This includes transporting vulnerable people to and from appointments, shopping for them and just being there for a chat.

2021 Winner

Yarra Libraries Community Engagement Team, Yarra City Council

The Yarra Libraries team were nominated by their colleague Sophie for pivoting to assist the community during the pandemic. One library became a food relief centre, and the team worked with NGOs to distribute meals to people experiencing homelessness and international students ineligible for government support.

2025 Runner-up​

Declan Napier, Greater Shepparton City Council

Declan has played a key role in the council's Resilience in Recovery program, taking a community-led approach to disaster recovery. Declan has led a range of initiatives including community movie and comedy nights, psychological first aid training, and community check-in and emergency management planning sessions. Her leadership, community engagement skills and commitment to creating positive change at the ground level are creating strong social community ties in the region’s most flood impacted communities.

2025 Runner-up​

Fern Sugars and Melanie Van Dyk, Yarra City Council

Melanie and Fern were nominated for their work as ASU delegates, putting themselves out there to stand up for workers and secure better outcomes for them. They often volunteer their own time for meetings, calls, attending various rallies, training sessions and campaigning events and were instrumental in getting the recent multi-council employer agreement over the line. They advocate for individuals or groups facing discrimination or disadvantage and raise the profile of important issues within the community.

2025 Runner-up​

Housing Services Team, Melton City Council

There has been a significant increase in the number of people experiencing homelessness, but a lack of services able to provide specialised support to these community members. The Housing Services Team led the establishment of a working group to develop the Rough Sleeping Response Initiative. This initiative allows the council and other key stakeholders, including Melbourne City Mission, IPC Health and Salvation Army, to pool their resources to better support people who are sleeping rough across the municipality.

2024 Runner-up​

Abbas Sheikh, Wyndham City Council

Abbas was nominated by his colleague Lucy for his Engaging Communities Through Sport initiative, which aims to bring together Culturally and Linguistically Diverse young people, newly-arrived young people, and those from refugee and asylum seeker backgrounds. This initiative has increased connection, understanding and inclusion of young people from diverse cultural backgrounds in the community.

2024 Runner-up​

Craig Waters, Darebin City Council

Craig was nominated by his colleague Eleonora for his support and advocacy of other City of Darebin staff, and his involvement in countless community organisations, including the CFA, Lions Club and RSL. A dedicated Scout Leader for over 40 years, he is passionate about bringing Aboriginal culture and ways of caring for the land to Victoria’s scouting movement.

2024 Runner-up​

Maree Renden, Wyndham City Council

Maree was nominated by her colleagues Caitlin and Clare for working tirelessly to protect people’s rights and their welfare. An ASU delegate for over 20 years, she is committed to getting the best outcomes for the Wyndham community and encourages her colleagues to stand up if they think the way council is working isn’t achieving that.

2024 Runner-up​

Millicent Burke, Moonee Valley City Council

Millicent was nominated by several local community environment groups for her unwavering commitment to environmental stewardship and community empowerment. She started a conservation network to bring together the different groups, and works with them and local Indigenous leaders to develop conservation projects with an ethos of respect and care for the land and its people at their core.

2023 Runner-up​

Adelaide Jones, Merri-Bek Libraries

Adelaide was nominated by their colleague Teishan for being instrumental in conceiving, planning and organising the Queer Youth Clothes Swap at Brunswick Library. This event provided an opportunity for queer and trans youth to obtain quality second-hand clothes which match their gender identity, for free. In addition to this, the event brought queer and trans youth together with fun art activities and put them in touch with vital support services.

2023 Runner-up​

Daniel Coon, Wyndham City Council

Daniel was nominated by his colleague Caitlin for acting in the roles of Family Violence Contact Officer, Mental Health First Aider, Union Representative and HSR Representative, and providing integral employee support. Dan is the first person to support and listen to others who may be going through a tough time, whilst maintaining employee confidentiality and rapport.

2023 Runner-up​

Moira Delegates Group, Moira Shire

The Moira Delegates Group were nominated by member Kristy for always striving to create a better workplace, particularly their strength and determination in advocating on behalf of their members and addressing workplace health and safety and industrial matters.

2023 Runner-up​

Nicole Migani-Roberts,
Melton City Council

Nicole was nominated by her colleague Aaron for achieving numerous positive outcomes for people with a disability and their carers. This included leading the development of council’s Disability Action Plan, submitting a successful funding application for an additional Changing Places facility and conducting an accessibility audit of shopfronts in the Melton town centre.

2021 Runner-up​

Debbie Bakker, Maroondah City Council

Debbie was nominated by her colleague Lisa for going beyond her role in providing assistance for families that are vulnerable due to domestic violence issues or other welfare issues. Debbie offers support through connections to outside agencies, and help negotiating Centrelink payments and filling out forms.

2021 Runner-up​

Laura Farrington, Geelong Regional Library Corporation

Laura was nominated by her colleague Wren for being a dedicated health, safety and wellness and SCC member, who is consistently unafraid to meet management head on to ensure her colleagues feel cared for, protected and safe in their workplace.

2021 Runner-up​

Lisette Pine, Knox City Council

Lisette was nominated by her colleague Linda for going above and beyond when responding to welfare or safety issues within the Knox community, particularly when advocating for the rights of diverse and/or marginalised groups such as First Nations people, LGBTIQ and CALD communities.

2021 Runner-up​

Rob Monohan, Wyndam City Council

Rob was nominated by his colleague Maree for supporting the Aboriginal community in Werribee, particularly volunteering many hours to put together a work group to help run the Wunggurrwil Dhurrung Centre, which provides a culturally safe meeting place for the local community.

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