2025 HESTA Excellence Awards winners named

The "shining stars" of the aged care, allied health, community, and disability services sectors were celebrated at the 2025 HESTA Excellence Awards.

Eight winners emerged from a record 420-plus nominations for the annual national event, which honours remarkable contributions to improving health and wellbeing outcomes for Australians. 

The four categories each have a prize for Team Excellence and Individual Leadership, with the victors equally sharing the $60,000 pool.

The $7,500 awards are to be put toward further education, service improvement or team development.  

Debby Blakey, CEO of health industry super fund HESTA, said the winners and finalists – 24 overall – had demonstrated exceptional leadership, innovation and compassion in their work.

"These professionals are among the shining stars of the aged care, allied health, community and disability services sectors, going above and beyond every day to care for their communities," Ms Blakey said. 

"The HESTA team is honoured to help highlight the extraordinary achievements and contributions from those who are so dedicated to improving the lives of others." 

The winners included: a team who engaged aged care residents to collectively cycle 546 kilometres as part of an innovative exercise challenge; a nutritionist working to improve the quality of food in aged care homes; and a team improving transport safety for people with disabilities and their families.

The 2025 HESTA Excellence Award winners

Aged Care – Individual Leadership 

Emma Payne, The Daisie Chain; Sutherland Shire, NSW 

Aged Care – Team Excellence 

Social and Health Teams, ACH Group; Mile End, SA 

Allied Health – Individual Leadership  

Sandra Iuliano, University of Melbourne/Medicine; West Heidelberg, VIC 

Allied Health – Team Excellence 

Flying Squad, Royal Melbourne Hospital; Parkville, VIC 

Disability Services – Individual Leadership 

Emma Weatherley, FSHD Global Research Foundation; Sydney, NSW 

Disability Services – Team Excellence 

Mobility and Accessibility for Children and Adults (MACA); Kew East, VIC 

Community Services – Individual Leadership  

George Halkias, The Big Issue Australia; Melbourne VIC 

Community Services – Team Excellence 

Education Pathways Program Team, Launch Housing; South Melbourne, VIC 

For more information, please visit HESTA's awards hub.

• HESTA is APHA's Diamond Sponsor.

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