Tasmanian Community Achievement Awards

24/03/2026

🌟 Finalist Spotlight: University of Tasmania Student Association (TUSA Food Hub)

When university students are skipping meals to make rent, something needs to change. The TUSA Food Security Program is doing exactly that.
Since launching the TUSA Food Hub in 2023, this incredible program has been providing University of Tasmania students with free and low-cost food, fresh produce, and essential pantry items - all while building real community through lunches and food education activities. Now spanning multiple campuses and powered by a passionate team of student volunteers and staff, the program is tackling one of the most quietly pressing issues in student life: food insecurity.

On being named a finalist, the team shared that it was "a meaningful recognition of the collective effort behind the program, particularly the work of our student volunteers and community partners" - and that it helped shine a light on "the growing issue of student food insecurity and the importance of community-led solutions." 🙌

The nomination also opened unexpected doors: "It provided an opportunity to connect with other organisations and community leaders who are also working to create positive change in Tasmania."

As for what keeps them going? "The biggest motivation is seeing the real difference the program makes for students facing cost-of-living pressures. Access to healthy, affordable food and a welcoming community space can have a significant impact on student wellbeing and success." ☘️

And their message to anyone sitting on the fence about nominating? "We would strongly encourage people to nominate individuals or organisations doing meaningful work in their communities."

👉 Follow TUSA and show them some love:
🔗 https://www.instagram.com/tusa.org.au/
🔗 https://www.linkedin.com/company/tasmanian-university-student-association/

17/03/2026

🌟 Winner Spotlight: NITA Education

As we prepare for the 2026 Tasmanian Community Achievement Awards, we’re reflecting on the inspiring individuals and organisations recognised in 2025 and the impact they continue to make across our communities.
In 2025, NITA Education became the winner of the Konica Minolta Australia Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples Community Achievement Award for its work strengthening culture, community and connection.

✨ About NITA Education

Trish walks gently on Lutruwita, carrying stories of Country, kinship, and deep time. A writer, artist, and cultural educator, she brings together ecology, memory, and Palawa knowledge to inspire connection and care.
Her company, NITA Education, honours the legacy of her beloved partner, Craig Everett, and supports the next generations as they step forward in culture with strength and pride.

🌐 Learn more about their work: www.nita.education

15/03/2026

⭐ Finalist Spotlight: Alyssia Kennedy

As we look ahead to the 2026 Tasmanian Community Achievement Awards, we’re reflecting on the inspiring individuals recognised in 2025 and the meaningful work they continue to do in their communities.
One of last year’s finalists was Alyssia Kennedy, recognised in the Heather & Christopher Chong Outstanding Achiever Award category for her work empowering young people with practical life skills through her program Life After School.

🎓 Q: Can you tell us a little about yourself and your work?
Alyssia Kennedy is a Tasmanian entrepreneur and life skills educator dedicated to preparing young people for life beyond the classroom. After leaving school, she recognised a gap in practical education, particularly around financial literacy, employment readiness and everyday responsibilities.
Determined to bridge that gap, she founded the Life After School program, delivering interactive workshops that teach essential skills such as budgeting, understanding tax and superannuation, managing car expenses, applying for jobs and building confidence for adulthood.
Alyssia works closely with schools, community organisations and government representatives across Tasmania to ensure young people feel informed, capable and empowered as they transition into work or further study. In recognition of her impact and leadership, she was named the 2026 Young Australian of the Year for Tasmania.

🏅 Q: What did it mean to you to be named a finalist in the Tasmanian Community Achievement Awards?
“Being named a finalist in the Tasmanian Community Achievement Awards truly meant so much to me. It’s incredibly special to have the work recognised at a state level, especially something I care so deeply about.
At the same time, I don’t do this work for recognition. I do it because I genuinely believe young people deserve to leave school feeling confident and capable in the real world. Life After School was created to empower and educate students around practical life skills - the things many of us wish we had been taught earlier.”

🤝 Q: Did being a finalist bring any new opportunities or connections?
“Since being named a finalist, I’ve had the opportunity to connect with so many incredible people and organisations who wanted to learn more about the work I do. It opened doors to meaningful conversations about the importance of life skills education and how we can better support young people as they transition out of school.
It also strengthened my network across Tasmania, introducing me to community leaders, businesses and changemakers who are passionate about creating impact. Those connections have led to collaborations, new opportunities to share the Life After School program, and ongoing support for the vision behind it.”

✨ Q: What motivates you to continue the work you’re doing?
“What motivates me most is the incredible young people I have the privilege of supporting. Seeing their confidence grow, watching the lightbulb moments when something clicks, and hearing them say, ‘I didn’t know that, this is so helpful,’ is what keeps me going.
I’ve been incredibly backed and supported by mentors, community members and organisations throughout my own journey. That support has meant the world to me, and I carry a strong sense of responsibility to pay that forward.
If I can give a young person even one practical tool, one piece of knowledge that helps them navigate adulthood with more confidence, then the work is worth it.”

💡 Q: What advice would you share with someone thinking about nominating themselves or others?
“I would absolutely encourage them to do it.
So often we underestimate the impact we’re having because we’re just focused on doing the work. Awards like this shine a light on important conversations and causes. Even the process of reflecting on your journey, your challenges and your growth can be incredibly powerful.
My advice is simple: back yourself, or back someone you believe in. You never know what doors it may open, what connections you might make, or how it might amplify the work you’re already doing.”

🔗 Upturned Tasmania
🔗 https://www.linkedin.com/in/alyssia-kennedy-nee-moolenschot-9a6969183/
🔗 https://www.instagram.com/alyssia_m/

10/03/2026

🌟 Winner Spotlight: Michelle Williamson

As we prepare for the 2026 Tasmanian Community Achievement Awards, we’re looking back at some of the inspiring individuals recognised in 2025 and the difference they continue to make in their communities.
One of last year’s winners was Michelle Williamson, founder of Farm It Forward Tasmania, recognised with the Kieser Australia Hobart Intergenerational Community Award. We asked Michelle about her journey, the impact of the award and what continues to drive her work.

🌱 Q: Can you tell us a little about yourself and your work?
Since moving to Tasmania in 1992, Michelle has worked across a range of community-focused roles including special needs teacher aide, disability support worker, early childhood educator, aged care volunteer and in emergency food relief.
In 2021, following the challenges of COVID, Michelle founded Farm It Forward Tasmania with the aim of helping people learn how to grow their own food and regain control of their food security.
Five years on, the initiative has grown far beyond its original vision. Alongside the creation of a community garden in Somerset, Farm It Forward Tasmania now runs more than 60 workshops and activities each month through its workshop calendar. Through this work, Michelle supports children, people with disabilities, older Australians and vulnerable members of the community - bringing together the many skills she developed throughout her earlier careers.

🏆 Q: How did it feel to be named a winner at the Tasmanian Community Achievement Awards?
“It felt surreal. It felt as though the judges had made a mistake because the other nominees in my category had been doing the absolutely amazing things that they do for their community, for a lot longer than I have. Apparently that is a common reaction. It was overwhelming to know that I had won despite that. I actually felt as though I was already a winner, to know that someone felt me worthy of the nomination. And when I discovered that I was a finalist, I was humbled and touched and proud.
It is a feeling that has no words to fully describe the emotions that I felt. That I still feel when people ask me about it.”

📈 Q: Since receiving the award, have there been any new opportunities or recognition?
"Since winning, there have definitely been positive impacts. I had a lot of people learn about Farm It Forward Tasmania for the first time after seeing the awards outcomes commercials on television and our attendance numbers have continued to expand. "

💡 Q: What advice would you share with future nominees?
“My advice to future nominees would be to try to enjoy every moment of the process. Although it is normal to feel that you may not be worthy when looking at all of the other amazing nominees, someone or several someone’s, must have thought that you are worthy and that you do important work for your community that deserves recognition."

🌏 Q: What’s next for you and the work you’re doing?
"As we continue to grow with new people discovering our community group and joining in with our activities every week, I hope that I may be able to continue to provide opportunities for our community to grow, learn and connect."

🔗 https://www.instagram.com/farmitforwardtas/

04/03/2026

🌱 Winner Spotlight: Nipaluna Nursery News

As we prepare for the 2026 Tasmanian Community Achievement Awards, we’re looking back at some of the inspiring individuals and organisations recognised in 2025 - and the impact they continue to make across Tasmania.

One of last year’s winners was Nipaluna Nursery, recognised with the EPA Sustainability Award (Community). We spoke with Nel Smit, environmental educator and Convenor of the volunteer-run nursery, about the work they’re doing and what the recognition has meant.

🌿 Q: Can you tell us a little about Nipaluna Nursery and your work?
Nel Smit is an environmental educator and community organiser who has spent decades strengthening connections between people, place and nature across lutruwita/Tasmania. As Convenor of Nipaluna Nursery, she works alongside volunteers to grow and supply native plants for habitat restoration, urban greening and community planting projects.
Nel has also worked in environmental education, Landcare and community climate action programs across the state. She is a founding driver of the Tasmanian Youth Climate Leaders Program, supporting young people to develop projects that improve biodiversity, sustainability and community wellbeing. Through collaborative projects that combine ecology, education, arts and community storytelling, Nel helps communities care for Country while building hope and practical solutions for the future.

🏆 Q: How did it feel to be named a winner at the Tasmanian Community Achievement Awards?
“It felt both surprising and deeply affirming. Nipaluna Nursery is powered almost entirely by volunteers, so the award really belongs to the whole community of people who collect seed, propagate plants, run workshops, plant trees and quietly contribute their time and energy to caring for Country.
For many of us, the work is simply something we feel needs to be done - restoring habitat, supporting biodiversity and helping communities reconnect with nature. Having that effort recognised at a statewide level was incredibly encouraging.”

🌱 Q: Since receiving the award, have there been any new opportunities or recognition?
Since receiving the award, Nel says there has been growing interest in both Nipaluna Nursery and the Tasmanian Youth Climate Leaders Program.
“The recognition has helped raise awareness of the positive impact community nurseries and youth-led climate action can have. It has opened doors to new partnerships with schools, councils and community organisations keen to collaborate...
It has also helped build confidence among young participants and volunteers who can see their work valued beyond their immediate communities.”

💡 Q: What advice would you share with future nominees?
“Focus on the real impact of your work rather than the award itself. Community projects succeed because people care deeply and contribute time, skills and energy to something bigger than themselves...
Celebrate the people around you - volunteers, partners, mentors and supporters all play a role. And don’t underestimate the value of small, consistent actions. Many successful projects grow slowly through persistence and collaboration.”

🌏 Q: What’s next for you, or what impact do you hope to continue making?
Looking ahead, Nel hopes to continue building community-led environmental action across Tasmania.
Through Nipaluna Nursery and the Tasmanian Youth Climate Leaders Program, the focus is on restoring habitat, increasing biodiversity and empowering young people with practical skills, mentoring and opportunities to lead projects in their own communities.
“The hope is to see more communities working together to care for local environments, grow urban forests and create greener, healthier places to live.”

🔗 https://www.nipalunanursery.org.au/
🔗 https://www.instagram.com/nipalunanursery/?hl=en

10/02/2026

Looking back at some of the meaningful moments from the 2025 Tasmanian Community Achievement Awards 💫

The Active Tasmania Award recognised inspiring organisations and initiatives helping Tasmanians stay active, connected and supported through sport and recreation.

Hearing the testimonials from nominees, finalists and winners on the night was a powerful reminder of the role active recreation plays in supporting physical and mental wellbeing, strengthening inclusion, and helping build healthier, happier communities.

🎥 Relive some of the moments and hear directly from those making a difference across Tasmania.

👏 Thank you to the Tasmanian Government for helping ensure this important work is recognised and celebrated!

24/12/2025

As the year comes to a close, we’re reminded that the festive season is about celebrating people, connection and community.

We’re incredibly passionate about recognising those who go above and beyond, and this time of year feels especially meaningful as we reflect on the impact individuals and communities continue to make. 🙌

Happy holidays to you and your loved ones - may it be filled with joy, rest and celebration ✨

07/11/2025

We’re proud to recognise the Lions Club of King Island – winners of the 2025 CareSuper Caring for the Community Award at the Tasmanian Community Achievement Awards.

Their incredible Drought Relief Project brought care and connection to more than 1,500 islanders — providing vital support, social connection, and hope during one of the toughest droughts in memory.

At CareSuper, we believe care goes beyond super — it’s about supporting the people and communities that make a difference.

👏🏽 Congratulations to the Lions Club of King Island and all this year’s finalists and winners for their outstanding contributions to Tasmania.

07/11/2025

Relive the most inspirational night of the year! ✨

Watch the best moments from the 2025 Tasmanian Community Achievement Awards Gala Dinner, held on Saturday, October 4, 2025, at the Hotel Grand Chancellor Hobart.

See the emotional winner announcements, stunning finalists, and the amazing individuals, groups, and businesses that are the heart of Tasmania!

Congratulations once again to all the 2025 Nominees, Finalists, and Winners!

01/11/2025

🏆 Let's celebrate our 2025 Winners once again!

Check out our two TVCs below to see the amazing individuals and groups who achieved success this year.

📺 TVC 1: https://youtu.be/lAxGA-BDME0
📺 TVC 2: https://youtu.be/TrUaLMFoTk4

Congratulations again to all the deserving winners!

Big congratulations to the winners of 2025 Tasmanian Community Achievement Awards!! Get to know them more when you visit: https://awardsaustralia.com/communi...

06/10/2025

A moment in the spotlight for our community's brightest stars. 🌟

It was an emotional and inspiring evening as we announced the winners of the 2025 Tasmanian Community Achievement Awards. These are the people whose tireless work and big hearts are creating positive change right here in our community. Congratulations to all of you - your success is truly deserved!

Robert Groom - Photographer

06/10/2025

On Saturday night, we were surrounded by true community champions! ✨ These are the faces of our incredible 2025 finalists, and each person in this album has an inspiring story of dedication and impact. Thank you for making our community shine! 🌟


Robert Groom - Photographer