Aboriginal dancers, visionary architects and top chefs were among the recipients of the Melbourne Awards in 2022. Apply by 30 June celebrate your amazing achievements in 2023.
The Melbourne Awards are our city’s highest accolade, celebrating the inspirational Melburnians who dedicate their time and energy to making this city a world leader. Here’s who we crowned last year:
1. Antoinette Braybrook AM
Melburnian of the Year
Share your support to end violence against Aboriginal women alongside Kuku Yalanji woman Antoinette Braybrook AM, this year’s outstanding Melburnian of the Year. Antoinette leads an organisation called Djirra, which provides practical support in a safe space for Aboriginal people who experience family violence.
2. Kensington Neighbourhood House
Community Award
Pop into Kensington Neighbourhood House on McCracken Street for a warm welcome and take your pick from more than 99 inclusive events every week. The packed program brings together more than 1000 people from 70 countries each year to connect, learn and create.
3. Queen and Collins by Kerstin Thompson Architects
Urban Design Award
Pause on the corner of Queen and Collins streets to gaze up at a stunning feat of urban design. Drab cubicles and flickering fluoros begone – this is a next-gen workplace with neo-gothic flair. Queen and Collins was reimagined by Kerstin Thompson Architects, in collaboration with BVN Architecture.
4. Djirri Djirri Cultural Services
Aboriginal Melbourne – ganbu guljin Award
Deepen your understanding of Aboriginal culture with Djirri Djirri, a dance and cultural learning group led by Wurundjeri women. The group members are Traditional Custodians of Narrm (Melbourne), all dancing together to honour Country, ancestors, family and animals.
5. Transfamily
LGBTIQ+ Award
Supporting loved ones who are trans or gender diverse can create a lot of questions and changes for families, friends and partners. Transfamily provides a warm, welcoming and non-judgmental environment where people can share their experiences and find guidance.
6. Photo 2022
Arts and Events Awards
See spectacular photography from Australian and international artists in a series of outdoor exhibitions, creating a trail of contemporary art across the city. The PHOTO festival staged 90 exhibitions of work from 123 artists in 2022. The next PHOTO festival will be held in 2024.
7. The Conversation
Knowledge and Innovation Award
From a group of journalists sitting around a single Ikea desk in Carlton to an international news network, The Conversation has soared to success publishing research-based news and analysis. Deepen your understanding of issues that matter with the team’s free daily newsletter.
8. Reground
Sustainability Award
This social enterprise collects coffee grounds from more than 250 local businesses every day, diverting waste from landfill and putting the grounds to good use in the community. Reground also collects soft plastics and works on other waste and resource recovery projects, role-modelling a circular economy.
9. Supernormal
Hospitality Award
Devour hallowed lobster rolls, Szechuan chicken and peanut-butter parfait at Supernormal, a Melbourne Award-winning foodie heaven on Flinders Lane. Headed by chef Andrew McConnell, Supernormal serves Japanese, Korean and Chinese-inspired dishes in elegant surrounds, with optional karaoke.
About the Melbourne Awards
The Melbourne Awards 2023 are supported by principal partner Epicure, major partners 3AW, Ernst & Young and event partners Mitchelton, Naomi Milgrom Foundation and Victorian Chambers of Commerce and Industry.
For more information, visit Melbourne Awards.
