2025 CSEA Winners
Congratulations to the CSEA winners!
Winners for the 2025 Community Services Excellence Awards were announced at a celebration on Monday 12 May 2025.
Congratulations all 37 finalists and winners, for your continued dedication and community sector spirit.
A selection of photographs from the event are available at the bottom of the winners list below.
Category 1:
Trailblazing Small Organisation: Catalysts of Community Innovation.
Award Sponsor:
This Award honours those organisations that are driving positive change through inventive, collaborative, and imaginative programs or services.
Winner:
- Healing Smiles
Finalists:
- Dress for Success
- Phoenix Support and Advocacy Services
- Short, Back and Sidewalks
Category 2:
Standout Medium Organisation: Engines of Progress and Creativity
Award Sponsor:
This Award honours those organisations that are driving positive change through inventive, collaborative, and imaginative programs or services.
Winner:
- Reconciliation WA – Respect Rising Great Southern
Finalists:
- Orana House
- Valued Lives Foundation – Leap Project
- Youth Involvement Council
Category 3:
Impactful Large Organisation: Powerhouses of Positive Change
Award Sponsor:
This Award category acknowledges a large organisation that stands out for its exceptional contributions through innovative, collaborative, and creative programs or services.
Winner:
- Ruah Community Services
Finalists:
- Anglicare WA
- Crosslinks – Fast tracking a skilled workforce
- Zonta House
Category 4:
Remarkable Regional Organisation: Champions of Rural and Remote Innovation
Award Sponsor:
This Award category recognises regional, rural, and remote community service organisations as the backbone of vibrant, diverse regions who face unique challenges. This Award honours organisations that excel in delivering creative, collaborative, and innovative programs or services in these tough environments.
Winner:
- Marra Worra Worra Aboriginal Corporation – Youth Connection Night Space
Finalists:
- Great Southern Community Legal Services
-
Hedland Well Women’s Centre –
Telehealth GP Service - Pilbara Community Services Ltd - Reintegration Service
Category 5:
Visionary Community-Led Collaboration: Crafting Better Futures Together
Award Sponsor:
This Award category recognises the power of community-driven solutions and collaborations that rise from our collective strengths. This category recognises outstanding strategies that emerge from genuine, community-led design, leading to culturally sensitive, place-based, and sustainable outcomes.
Winner:
- WA Rent Relief Program - Anglicare WA, Vinnies WA, RUAH, Centrecare
Finalists:
-
Parenting Connection WA -
Anglicare WA, Ngala, Wanslea -
RightbyYou website - Neami National -
Suicide Prevention Coordinators and Youth Project Steering Committee -
Women's Health Justice Partnership -
Women's Legal Service WA and WA Department of Health
Category 6 and 7 Presented in Partnership with:
Category 6:
Exceptional Aboriginal Community-Controlled Organisation: Champions of Cultural Empowerment
Award Sponsor:
Aboriginal Community-Controlled Organisations (ACCOs) are essential providers of trusted, place-based, community-led, and culturally appropriate services for Aboriginal communities. This Award celebrates an ACCO that embodies and promotes Aboriginal communities’ right to self-determination, and achieves outstanding outcomes for Aboriginal people and families in collaboration with their communities through a holistic and culturally grounded approach.
Winner:
- Kullarri Regional Communities Indigenous Corporation
Finalists:
- Geraldton Regional Aboriginal Medical Service
- Moorditj Koort Aboriginal Corporation
- Yorgum Healing Services
Category 7:
Inspiring Partnership between an Aboriginal Community-Controlled Organisation and a Community Services Organisation
Award Sponsor:
Introducing a new exciting Award, presented for the first time at Community Services Excellence Awards in 2025
Genuine and equal partnerships between Aboriginal Community-Controlled Organisations (ACCOs) and Community Service Organisations (CSO) enhance culturally sensitive service delivery, build capacity, foster trust, and prioritise self-determination for Aboriginal communities.
This category recognises exceptional relationships between ACCOs and CSOs, grounded in trust and genuine partnership, which lead to culturally appropriate service delivery and improved outcomes for Aboriginal people and their communities.
Winner:
- Karla Kuliny Aboriginal Corporation (KKAC) and Australian Childhood Foundation (ACF)
Finalists:
-
Marninwarntikura Women's Resource Centre &
Kimberley Community Legal Services -
US Without Abuse Campaign -
Northern Suburbs Community Legal Centre
(in partnership with Ebenezer Aboriginal Corporation) -
Family Dispute Resolution -
Volunteering WA & Kimberley Aboriginal Women's Council -
Volunteer Management Activity Project Based Grants Program -
Rise and Shine - Yorgum Healing Services + Hope
Individual Categories
Category 8:
Outstanding Contribution: Going Above and Beyond
Award Sponsor:
This Award category celebrates outstanding staff members who have exceeded expectations through their extraordinary involvement in community projects or in their significant impact to the sector. In the community services sector, some individuals truly stand out by going that extra mile. Nominate an outstanding contributor who has gone above and beyond within the sector.
Winners:
- Craig Hollywood – Short, Back and Sidewalks
- Oscar Colbung - Southern Aboriginal Corporation
Finalists:
- Craig Hollywood – Short, Back and Sidewalks
- Oscar Colbung - from Southern Aboriginal Corporation
Category 9:
Leadership Excellence: Inspiring Change and Innovation
Award Sponsor:
This category honours a standout leader who has brought exceptional innovation and guidance to their organisation and community. Nominate an excellent leader who has made a substantial difference in improving the lives of individuals and communities. Finalists in this category will also be nominated for the 2025 Western Australian of the Year Award.
Winner:
- Vicki-Tree Stephens – Youth Involvement Council
Finalists:
- Asha Bhat – from Southern Aboriginal Corporation
- Duane Tang Wei – from Kullarri Regional Communities Indigenous Corporation
- Kim Brooklyn – from Parkerville Children and Youth Services
Award Prize Money
The award winner from each category received a cheque for $1000.
Key Dates
Community Services Excellence Awards
Monday 12 May 2025
Wacoss Conference
12 - 14 May 2025
Nominations close
4 February 2025