Local Heroes

Awards 2024

Thursday 9 May 2024

Recognising the outstanding contributions of local government workers

View winners

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.

The winners of the 2024 Local Heroes Awards were revealed at a gala awards ceremony that took place at the Victorian Trades Hall Council on Thursday 9 May. Read our wrap up of the event here >

The Local Heroes Awards will return for 2025! Stay tuned for more information about when nominations will open.

$1,000 grand prize!

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.

Key dates

Nominations open: 30 January 2024 | Nominations close: 25 March 2024

Winners announced: 9 May 2024 at the Local Heroes Gala Awards Ceremony

The Local Heroes 2024 Gala Awards Ceremony will be held at Victorian Trades Hall Council in Carlton.

2024 highlights reel

How do I nominate a local hero?

You can nominate an individual or group by filling out a nomination form online. You’ll need some contact details to complete your nomination, so make sure you have these ready.

The form asks for contact details for:

  • You
  • The nominee/s (if you are submitting on behalf of someone else)
  • Employer

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.

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 2023 and 25 March 2024. 

You can find the full Terms and Conditions for the Vision Super Local Heroes Awards here.

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

Nominations close Monday 25 March 2024.

Nominate now

Meet our previous winners and runners-up

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.

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.

Previous slide
Next slide

2024 awards ceremony

In partnership with

Terms and Conditions

Disclaimer

Vision Super website

Can't find what you are looking for?
Member Hotline
1300 300 820
Employer Hotline
1300 304 947
Retirement Hotline
1300 017 589

Member Hotline 1300 300 820

Employer Hotline 1300 304 947

Retirement Hotline 1300 017 589

Follow us

Feedback  Disclaimer  Privacy policy  Financial services guide  Help and support 
Money Magazine information
SuperRatings information
Money Magazine information

Feedback

Disclaimer

Privacy Policy

Financial Services Guide

Help and support

We support the Say on climate change initiative
Aboriginal flag
Torres-strait Flag
Vision Super acknowledges the traditional owners and custodians of the lands throughout Australia and pays respect to their Elders past, present, and emerging.
This website is provided by Vision Super Pty Ltd ABN 50 082 924 561 AFSL 225054 RSE licence number L0000239 as the Trustee of the Local Authorities Superannuation Fund ABN: 24 496 637 884 (‘Vision Super’), subject to the terms and conditions in the which you should consider. When you use this website you are deemed to accept these terms and conditions, as applicable from time to time. The information on this website is general information or advice only. It is provided to help you understand Vision Super’s products, services, policies and procedures. It does not (and should not be taken to) contain any personal advice because we haven’t taken into account your personal objectives, financial situation or needs. You should consider whether it is appropriate for you and your personal circumstances before acting on it and, if necessary, you should seek professional financial advice. Before making decisions about Vision Super’s products, you should read the appropriate Vision Super Product Disclosure Statement (PDS). Past performance is not an indication of future performance. Our Target Market Determinations are available here

Download our mobile app

Are you a Member?

Member login
Not a member? Join here
Not a member? Join here

Are you an Employer?

Employer login
Not a employer? Join here
Not a employer? Join here