Awards recognise people doing incredible things for their community

Published on 12 September 2024

There was a buzz in the air as 62 nominees, the largest number received to-date, were recognised at the 2024 Sir John Monash Awards ceremony.

Held at Monash Council’s Museum of Australian Photography in Wheelers Hill, the awards celebrated nominees across 12 different categories.

Assistant-principal Leasyl Richards and Year 2 teacher Erin Bartleton from Wheelers Hill Primary School received the Outstanding Leadership award, recognising their work as champions of the environment and embracing sustainability at school, leading by example for students, school and the broader community.

Monash Mayor Cr Nicky Luo said it was a privilege to meet, speak with, and acknowledge people doing incredible things in our community.

“The Sir John Monash Awards recognise inspirational people doing wonderful things in the Monash community.

“It’s been wonderful to hear incredible stories about people offering their time, expertise and passion to make Monash a better place.

“Some people were recognised for finding solutions to the many environmental issues we face, others for creating opportunities for people to connect with each other, and many for showing support, passion and dedication for a cause or issue that is important locally.  

“This year’s awards were also the first time our Reconciliation Champion category was included, delivering on a commitment made by Council in our Reconciliation Action Plan.

“My congratulations and thanks go to all award winners, especially Erin and Leasyl who were recognised as the overall winners in our Outstanding Leadership award,” added Cr Luo.

The Monash Award winners for 2024 are:

Outstanding Leadership

Erin Bartleton and Leasyl Richards of Wheelers Hill Primary School

Active Monash

Mark Collins

Inspirational Women’s Leadership

Forough Derakshan

LGBTIQA+ Community Leadership

Jesra Garcia

Multicultural Champion

Monash Interfaith Gathering Inc

Outstanding Advocate of People with Disabilities

Jacob Walton

Positive Ageing Leadership

Liangcheng Fu

Reconciliation Champion

Rebecca Tyson

Sustainability Leadership

Erin Bartleton and Leasyl Richards

Volunteer of the Year

Donna Taylor

Young Leader

Isabella and Ryan Xie

Youth Leadership

Thomas Maguire-Nguyen

For more information on this year’s winners and the awards program, visit www.monash.vic.gov.au/awards