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The "extraordinary" workers who care for their communities across Australia have been celebrated at the 2021 HESTA Excellence Awards.
Eight winners were announced at a virtual online ceremony for the country's top organisations and teams providing allied health, aged care,community and disability services.
Professionals were recognised for achievements including reducing ear disease in Aboriginal andTorres Strait Islander children, bringing together aged care residents, chefs and gardening teams, and teaching film studies to people withintellectual disabilities and from marginalised communities.
"My congratulations to this year's extraordinary winners and finalists," HESTA CEO Debby Blakey said.
"I am incredibly humbled by theinnovation and dedication they have shown in caring for their communities during such challengingtimes."
Each category winner at the awards – which launched in 2020 – received a prize of $7,500.
"Their contributions have made, and will continue to make, a positive and long-lasting difference tohealth outcomes for Australians," Ms Blakey added.
"It's a great honour for the HESTA team to help recognise the criticalwork they do every day."
<span style="text-decoration: underline">The 2021 HESTA Excellence Awards winners are:</span>
OUTSTANDING ORGANISATION
<span style="text-decoration: underline">AGED CARE</span>
Royal Freemasons' Benevolent Institution (RFBI), NSW and ACT– recognised for its week-long Mental Moments Show, designed to highlight the importance of mental health for aged care professionals.
<span style="text-decoration: underline">ALLIED HEALTH</span>
Earbus Foundation, Northbridge WA– recognised for its work to reduce middle ear disease in young Aboriginaland Torres Strait Islander children.
<span style="text-decoration: underline">COMMUNITY SERVICES</span>
Sacred Heart Mission, St Kilda VIC–recognised for dedication to supporting local people experiencing homelessness, disadvantageand social exclusion.
<span style="text-decoration: underline">DISABILITY SERVICES</span>
Bus Stop Films, Carlton NSW– recognised for dedication to teaching film studies to adults with intellectualdisabilities and those from marginalised communities.
TEAM EXCELLENCE
<span style="text-decoration: underline">AGED CARE</span>
Lifeview Residential Care's Hospitality and Gardening teams, Carnegie VIC – recognised for their Planting with a Purpose Program, which involves residents helping to create menus and grow the required produce.
<span style="text-decoration: underline">ALLIED HEALTH</span>
Advance Rehab Centre team, Artamon NSW–recognised for work in assisting patients with FunctionalNeurological Disorders.
<span style="text-decoration: underline">COMMUNITY SERVICES</span>
SHQ, Northbridge WA– recognised for developing and implementing a clinician and consumer-endorsedscreening tool to identify and support women who are at risk or who have experienced intimate partnerviolence or reproductive coercion.
<span style="text-decoration: underline">DISABILITY SERVICES</span>
WaterAbilitiesteam at Cyclabilities,Ngunnawal ACT– recognised for creating a dedicated allied health Safety and Survivalswim program in Canberra for children with support and sensory needs.
For more information on the Awards program and 2021 winners, visit the HESTA Awards website.
Read more: 2020 HESTA Excellence Awards winners named
Read more: New HESTA awards recognise healthcare's unsung heroes
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