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You are ACE! Awards

Proudly presenting the 2026 You are ACE! Award finalists and winners

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Congratulations to the following 2026 You are ACE! Award finalists and winners. These outstanding individuals, teams and organisations exemplify excellence across aged care, retirement living and seniors housing.

Selected from more than 470 nominations received from across Australia, each finalist has demonstrated exceptional dedication, innovation and commitment to improving the lives of older Australians.

From organisations driving innovation and continuous improvement, to collaborative teams delivering outstanding outcomes and individuals leading with vision and compassion, this year’s finalists represent the very best of our sector. Their achievements set a benchmark for excellence and help strengthen the profile and reputation of our sector across Australia.

View a specific category

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Individual
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Team
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Organisation

2026 Winners Gallery

Organisation – Rural and Remote Forest View Care Childers QLD
Organisation – Excellence St Basils SA
Individual – Leadership Nicky Chung
Organisation – Making a Difference Activus Transport NSW
Organisation – Innovation Lifeview VIC
Team – Consumer Focus and Care Lifestyle and Wellness group K-Life QLD
Individual – Volunteer Dawn Weyland Murray Bridge volunteer
Individual – Rising Star Katie Butler NSW
Team – Teamwork Administration Team, Brotherhood of St Laurence Clifton Hill VIC
Individual – Consumer Focus and Care Cheryl Hahn Southern Cross Care WA
Organisation – Consumer Focus and Care Australian Multicultural Community Services VIC
Team – Project Warramunda VIllage CEO John Clark
Individual – Innovation Julie Southern NSW

Finalists and winners for each category

The You are ACE! Awards span 15 categories, such as leadership, innovation, consumer focus and care, rising star and making a difference. Each finalist and winner has been recognised for their exceptional contribution and the values they bring to the communities they serve.

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Individual finalists and winners

Individual categoryCongratulations to:Award criteria

Consumer Focus and Care

Winner:
Cheryl Hahn, Southern Cross Care, WA

Carina Rowe and Alison Flanegan, Bethsalem Care, SA

Catherine Barwick, Tandara Lodge Community Care Inc., TAS

Dineshkumar Subramani, mecwacare, VIC

  • Demonstrated ability to inspire and lead a team toward outstanding results.
  • Strategic vision that aligns with organisational goals.
  • Positive influence on team morale and culture.
  • Commitment to mentoring and developing future leaders.

Innovation

Winner:
Julie Southern , Royal Freemasons’ Benevolent Institution, NSW

Anne McCormack, mecwacare, VIC

Lisa Bird, St John, QLD

  • Creative thinking leading to innovative ideas and solutions.
  • Successful implementation of innovative practices.
  • Potential for innovation to be scaled or replicated.
  • Overcoming challenges through innovation.

Leadership  

Winner:
Nicky Chung, Australian Vietnamese Women's Association, VIC

Gregory Wenham, Amaroo Care Services, WA

Kul Bhandari, St Vincent's Care, QLD

Michael Powell, Moonta Health and Aged Care Services, SA

Tracy Harris, Rosewood Care Group , WA  

  • Commitment to person-centered, personalised care.
  • Tangible improvements in care quality and resident satisfaction.
  • Strong relationships with residents and families.
  • Advocacy for resident wellbeing and dignity.

Rising star

Winner:
Katie Butler, Buckland Aged Care Services, NSW

Brittany Skinner, Newcastle & District Nursing Service (NDNS), NSW

Eloise Caruana, Cooinda Village Inc., VIC

  • Rapid professional growth and future leadership potential.
  • Contributions to team and fresh perspectives.
  • Initiative and proactive approach to challenges.
  • Recognition as a promising talent by peers and supervisors.

Volunteer

Winner:
Dawn Weyland, Resthaven Inc., SA

Hilary Kite, Royal Freemasons’ Benevolent Institution, NSW

Kate and David Jones, Inasmuch Community, NSW       

Kevin Jones, Royal Freemasons’ Benevolent Institution, NSW    

Leonie Robinson, Royal Freemasons’ Benevolent Institution, NSW

Peter Drew, ACH Group, SA

  • Long-term commitment and dedication to volunteering.
  • Positive impact on residents' wellbeing and engagement.
  • Active involvement in community initiatives.
  • Embodiment of compassion and service.

Team finalists and winners

Team categoryCongratulations to:Award criteria

Consumer Focus and Care 

Winner:
Lifestyle and Wellness group, K-Life, QLD

Snug Leisure and Lifestyle Team, Christian Homes Tasmania, TAS

Recreational Activities Team, Inasmuch Community, NSW

  • Effective project planning and successful execution.
  • Strong teamwork and collaboration.
  • Innovative project outcomes with measurable impact.
  • Project sustainability and scalability. 

Innovation

Winner:
Pressure Injury Care Project Team, Alwyndor, SA

Coffs Harbour Masonic Village Maintenance Team, Royal Freemasons’ Benevolent Institution, NSW

Warramunda Community Care, Warramunda Village, VIC

  • Creative problem solving leading to innovation.
  • Successful implementation with significant impact.
  • Team collaboration on innovative solutions.
  • Broader influence of the innovation on the sector.

Making a Difference  

Winner:
Marketing and Communications Team, Goodwin Aged Care Services, ACT

In-home Care Operation Managers, BaptistCare, VIC

Life Enrichment Team, Brotherhood of St Laurence Aged Care Clifton Hill, VIC

  • Person-centred care approach.
  • Improved quality of care and resident satisfaction.
  • Engagement of families and community in care delivery.
  • Innovative practices enhancing resident wellbeing.

Project

Winner:
Project Control Group, Warramunda, VIC

Social Team, ACH Group, SA

Community Services - Shared Smiles Pilot Program, St John, QLD

  • Strong collaboration, communication, and mutual support.
  • Shared vision and goals aligned with organisational mission.
  • Resilience in overcoming challenges.
  • Positive impact on residents and the organisation.

Teamwork

Winner:
Administration Team, Brotherhood of St Laurence Clifton Hill, VIC

Residential Allied Health Team, Alwyndor, SA

Quality Care and Clinical Governance team , Fronditha Care, VIC

Community Services Team, North and West Remote Health, QLD

  • Commitment to making a positive community impact.
  • Innovative approaches leading to meaningful improvements.
  • Long term sustainability of initiatives.
  • Strong team collaboration in driving impact.

Organisation finalists and winners

Organisation categoryCongratulations to:Award criteria

Consumer Focus and Care

Winner:
Australian Multicultural Community Services, VIC

Polish Community Council of Victoria, VIC

RangeCare, ACT

  • Consistent excellence in care, service delivery and culture.
  • Leadership and recognition in the sector.
  • Commitment to innovation and continuous improvement.
  • High levels of resident and staff satisfaction.

Excellence

Winner:
St Basil's, SA

Harbison, NSW

Home Care Assistance, NSW

  • Pioneering innovative practices in the sector.
  • Measurable positive outcomes from innovations.
  • Potential for scaling or replicating innovations.
  • Fostering a culture of innovation within the organisation.

Innovation 

Winner:
Lifeview, VIC

ACH Group, SA

Infinite Care Cornubia, QLD

  • Strong person-centred care culture.
  • Tangible improvements in care quality and resident satisfaction.
  • Active resident and family engagement.
  • Innovative care models improving outcomes.

Making a difference

Winner:
Activus Transport, NSW

Fronditha Care, VIC

St John, QLD

  • Significant community engagement and social impact.
  • Innovative programs addressing social issues.
  • Long-term sustainability of initiatives.
  • Collaborative partnerships enhancing impact.

Rural and remote

Winner:
Forest View Care Childers, QLD

Care in Motion, SA

Country to Coast Home Care Services, VIC

  • Effectively addressing unique rural and remote care challenges.
  • Innovative solutions improving access to care.
  • Strong integration with local rural communities.
  • Sustainability and potential for scaling remote care solutions.
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You are ACE! nominations can be made throughout the year.

Nominations received from 1 July to 30 June will be considered for the Ageing Australia You are ACE! Awards, with the winners announced on Aged Care Employee Day, 7 August, each year.

Find out more about You are ACE! campaign.

Find out more about Aged Care Employee Day.

Nominate for the 2027 You are ACE! Awards
View the 2025 You are ACE! winners
You are ACE!
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