Local Heroes Awards return for third year

We’re pleased to announce the return of the Vision Super Local Heroes Awards for 2024, in partnership with the Australian Services Union (ASU).

Now in their third year, the 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, including employees of associated organisations operated by the council, and local libraries. Nominations may be made on behalf of others or self-nominated.

Past nominees have stretched across the state, from Darebin City Council in Melbourne’s inner north to Moira Shire Council on the New South Wales border.

What has remained consistent, year on year, is the passion shown by nominees for making a meaningful difference in their community.

Motivated by shared values of compassion, selflessness and generosity, nominees are often shocked and overwhelmed to discover they have even been put forward for an award.

It’s no mean feat for the judges, comprised of members of the leadership teams at Vision Super and the ASU, to choose a winner and runners-up from such an inspiring group of people.

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

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

The winner and runners-up will be announced at a gala awards ceremony on Thursday 9 May 2024, which will be held at Victorian Trades Hall Council in Carlton.

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

One of last year’s well-deserved runners-up, who was deemed to have contributed to the safety of an individual or group in the community, was Daniel Coon from Wyndham City Council.

Daniel was nominated by his colleague Caitlin Abbey for acting in the roles of Family Violence Contact Officer, Mental Health First Aider, Union Representative and Health and Safety Representative, and providing integral employee support.

“Dan is the first person to offer and promote services to his Wyndham colleagues, whilst maintaining employee confidentiality and rapport. Dan organised a HSR Breakfast Forum on psychosocial risks with keynote speakers from WorkSafe and the unions, where our CEO and entire executive leadership team were in attendance – an achievement in itself,” Caitlin explained.

Dan commented that we all have the power to make a positive difference to someone, even if our efforts don’t seem like much.