Locals named finalists in Community Awards

THE finalists in the Victorian Regional Achievement and Community Awards have been announced, with local businesses and residents well represented.

Torquay’s Jules Haddock was named as one of four finalists for the Awards Australia Community Hero Award.

Ms Haddock has been a mental health first aid instructor for more than two decades and has worked with groups including Road to Recovery, Black Dog Institute, and Road Trauma Support Services Victoria.

She is also the president and founder of Art of the Minds, which has been facilitating various mental health-themed events throughout October.

But Ms Haddock said her mental health work went beyond her career.

“For me, mental wellness isn’t my job it’s just part of my life.

“Our younger son has autism and he’s 19, but even before his birth my career was facilitating to staff to work with people with disabilities and mental health issues, so it’s been my life.”

She said she appreciated being recognised as a finalist for the award.

“I was very humbled by it. It’s lovely to get an acknowledgement.”

Prestige Inhome Care Geelong is a finalist in the Prime Super Employer Excellence in Aged Care Award. The group’s skilled nurses and careers serve about 1,700 people in the Geelong region each month.

Prestige Inhome Care general manager Thea McCroary said being named a finalist was just recognition of the commitment of their staff.

“The thing I believe makes us different is the staff we have working for us. Our people genuinely care, they treat each client as if they were their own loved one and really do go that extra mile.

“I think this is an amazing recognition of everything they have done. This year we’ve never felt prouder of the staff; seeing them rally together to do such important work has been incredible.”

Diversitat Aged Support client liaison worker and Norlane local Gordana Radicevski was among the other local finalists. Ms Radicevski was named a finalist in the Ricoh Australia Customer Service Award for her tireless work in the aged care sector.

Norlane Healing Hands is a finalist in the GOTAFE Community Group Award. Comprised entirely of volunteers, Norlane Healing Hands provides a range of high-quality, low-cost healthcare to socially and financially disadvantaged people.

To view the full list of finalists, head to awardsaustralia.com/regional-achievement-community-awards/vic/current-finalists.