A not-for-profit providing medical supplies to vulnerable communities, a Wurundjeri female-led dance group, a Muslim arts festival and a new rooftop bar are among the finalists for the 2022 Melbourne Awards.
Celebrating its 20th year, the Melbourne Awards are the City of Melbourne’s highest accolades, recognising inspirational Melburnians making extraordinary contributions to the community.
“People make our city the great place that it is – and the Melbourne Awards provide an incredible opportunity to showcase the efforts of ordinary Melburnians doing extraordinary things,” Lord Mayor, Sally Capp.
“For the past two decades, we’ve been shining a spotlight on the unsung heroes making Melbourne a better place – pioneering their field, creating positive change, building inclusive communities, and positioning this city as a world leader.
“We’re looking forward to celebrating the outstanding and inspirational achievements of each and every finalist in what will be a night to remember.”
This year’s awards acknowledge the outstanding work of 27 finalists across eight categories – Aboriginal Melbourne – ganbu guljin, Arts and Events, Community, Hospitality, Knowledge and Innovation, LGBTIQ+, Sustainability and Urban Design.
The Melbourne Awards also include the prestigious Melburnian of the Year Award, celebrating a role model who has made an outstanding contribution in their field and to the city.
Winners will be announced at the Melbourne Awards ceremony on Saturday 12 November at Melbourne Town Hall and via a televised special on Channel 9 on Sunday 13 November.
Previous Melbourne Award winners include GreatWrap – the creators of compostable cling wrap, RMHive – the developers of an app to support health care workers, and The Torch – a program providing art and cultural support for Aboriginal people in prison and post-release.
2022 Melbourne Award finalists:
Aboriginal Melbourne – ganbu guljin
- Djirri Djirri Cultural Services – a Wurundjeri women’s dance group specialising in Woiwurrung song and traditional dance.
- Fellowship for Indigenous Leadership – a vehicle for positive change in Victoria’s First Nations communities.
- The Long Walk – a charity inspired by Michael Long’s walk to Canberra, raising awareness and support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.
Arts and Events
- Melbourne Blues Appreciation Society – bringing together blues artists and enthusiasts.
- Melbourne Fashion Hub – a first-of-its-kind initiative in Australia designed to upskill emerging fashion talent and highlight their work.
- Photo 2022 International Festival of Photography – Australia’s largest photography event showcasing talent from artists across the globe.
- SalamFest – annual cultural event showcasing Muslim arts, culture, food and spiritual traditions in Melbourne.
Community
- Telling Melbourne’s Stories by Channel 31 – Victoria’s not-for-profit community television service providing locally-based entertainment, education and information.
- Kensington Neighbourhood House – a place for people of all abilities, backgrounds and ages to connect, learn, and create.
- Meals With Impact – a work-integrated social enterprise employing women from migrant and refugee backgrounds to co-design and produce culturally-appropriate meals for food relief.
- Travellers Aid Australia – empowering people with travel-related challenges to connect, engage and participate within their communities.
Hospitality
- HER – a five-storey, all-day wonderland of modern-classic food, drinks and live music in Melbourne’s retail precinct.
- Metropolis Events – one of Melbourne’s most exciting premium event spaces located in the heart of Southbank
- Supernormal – a lively and modern Australian restaurant with a contemporary Japanese aesthetic.
Knowledge and Innovation
- Auslan Education Services – an innovative new business at the forefront of Auslan teaching bridging the communication gap between hearing and deaf Australians.
- Skunk Control – a creative group drawing on technology, design and art to create engaging and immersive experiences of wonder and discovery.
- The Conversation – a leading publisher of research-based news and analysis, headquartered in Melbourne.
LGBTIQ+
- Laneway Learning Queer Social – a hub for LGBTIQ+ members to come together to learn, thrive and connect.
- Minus18 – an Australian charity improving the lives of LGBTIQ+ youth through life-affirming events, leadership programs and education.
- Positive Attitude Inc. – supporting and promoting inclusiveness of people living with HIV/AIDS through the sharing of food and conversation.
- Transfamily – providing peer support for family, partners, friends and loved ones as they journey with transgender and gender diverse people.
Sustainability
- Incognitus – developing sustainable and operationally logical solutions to the challenges of the public waste sector.
- Medical Pantry – a not-for-profit rescuing unused medical supplies and equipment and redirecting them to communities in need.
- Reground – a social enterprise helping create a circular economy through waste collection and waste minimisation projects, such as coffee grounds for compost.
- From Banners to Bags by Sisterworks – ethical and sustainable manufacturing by migrant and refugee women.
Urban Design
- Collins Arch and Market Street Park by OCULUS, Woods Bagot and SHoP Architects – a landmark mixed-use tower development that occupies an entire city block in the centre of Melbourne.
- Queen & Collins by Kerstin Thompson Architects and BVN – an integration of three neo-gothic heritage buildings championing a vision for a future workplace.
