Social Futures takes out three Resilient Australia Awards

SOCIAL Futures won three categories at the 2025 Resilient Australia Awards held last week at NSW Parliament House.

The awards celebrate initiatives that build community resilience to disasters, as well as efforts by organisations, communities and individuals in response and recovery.

Social Futures CEO Tony Davies said the recognition reflected the programs and the collaboration of local agencies, schools, volunteers and community members.

“Resilience isn’t built alone. These awards honour the partnerships and spirit of cooperation that have helped lift our communities up and restore hope after devastating natural disasters,” Davies said.

The Resilient Kids program won the Mental Health and Wellbeing category for supporting almost 12,000 children and young people aged 8–18 since 2023. The initiative, delivered by Social Futures and funded by Healthy North Coast through the National Emergency Management Agency, works with partners including The Family Centre, Human Nature Adventure Therapy and Lives Lived Well.

Healthy North Coast CEO Monika Wheeler said the award recognised the young people of the Northern Rivers who shared their experiences after the floods.

“Resilient Kids has been built with them, for them, and because of them,” Wheeler said.

“We are proud to see children and young people’s voices at the centre of disaster recovery and resilience planning for our region and that Resilient Kids has been recognised as a leading model.”

The Recovery Connect program was recognised in the Community category for its model of disaster recovery.

The Photography category went to an image by journalist Catherine Piltz of the Strong Minds in the Early Years program, showing counsellor Lisa Wilson working with disaster-affected children.

For more information, visit hnc.org.au/resilient-kids