MECCA Brands founder and Co-CEO, Jo Horgan, has been named Melburnian of the Year at the City of Melbourne Council’s annual Melbourne Awards.
Recognised for her exceptional leadership and contribution to the city, the Council said Ms Horgan has grown MECCA from a single South Yarra store into a beauty empire with more than 110 stores across Australia and New Zealand.
The Young Melburnian of the Year is Dr Belle Lim, recognised for advancing diversity, equity and inclusion for international students and women in STEM.
A cancer genetics researcher and founder of Future Forte, Dr Lim has built programs reaching more than 2,500 participants from over 50 countries, and as National President of the Council of International Students Australia in 2020–21 led advocacy benefiting more than 550,000 students.
The Melbourne Awards recognise the individuals and organisations driving positive change across the city – celebrating leadership, creativity, and community spirit at Melbourne’s highest civic honour.
Held at Melbourne Town Hall on Saturday, the annual ceremony acknowledged excellence across eight categories that reflect the city’s diversity and progress: Aboriginal Melbourne – ganbu guljin, Access and Inclusion, Arts and Events, City Design, Community, Knowledge and Innovation, LGBTIQA+, and Sustainability.
“The Melbourne Awards are about recognising the incredible Melburnians who push the envelope and go above and beyond to make our city the best and fairest it can be,” said Lord Mayor, Nick Reece.
“Jo is a true representation of Melbourne grit and determination – growing a beloved beauty empire from scratch on our home turf, with MECCA now turning over half a billion dollars annually.”
“Melbourne is Australia’s business capital and we take great delight in celebrating an incredible business leader with this award.”
“Belle has also demonstrated that Melbourne is a city of possibilities – arriving as an international student, advancing her studies and leadership in supporting women of international backgrounds every step of the way.”
2025 Melbourne Awards category winners:
- Aboriginal Melbourne – ganbu guljin – Birrarangga Film Festival
Celebrating First Nations storytelling and cultural connection through film
- Access and Inclusion – Adaptive Music Bridging Program (Melbourne Youth Orchestras) Opening new pathways for young musicians of all abilities to connect and perform
- Arts and Events – Asia TOPA 2025 (Arts Centre Melbourne)
Showcasing Asia–Pacific creativity and collaboration through performance
- City Design – Melbourne Place Hotel (Kennedy Nolan)
Revitalising a heritage site into a vibrant destination blending old and new
- Community – River Nile School
Empowering young women through education and opportunity
- Knowledge and Innovation – Acusensus Australia Pty Ltd
Harnessing AI technology to improve road safety across Victoria and beyond
- LGBTIQA+ – Mpox Response (Thorne Harbour Health)
Delivering community-led health leadership and awareness during a critical time
- Sustainability – Carbon Footprint Reduction Project (Trades Hall and Literary Institute)
Pioneering environmental sustainability within Melbourne’s heritage precincts.
For more information and the full list of finalists and winners, visit melbourne.vic.gov.au/melbourneawards.
