The Western Australian Council of Social Service (WACOSS) is pleased to announce that nominations for the Community Services Excellence Awards (CSEA) are now open.
The biennial awards, now in its eighth year, recognise the important role individuals and organisations in the community sector have in making a positive difference to people, families, and communities through collaboration and innovation.
The awards are a longstanding partnership between WACOSS and the WA Department of Communities, with the support of Lotterywest, and this year we are thrilled to be partnering with the Council of Aboriginal Services Western Australia (CASWA), to deliver a new award category, Inspiring Partnership Between an Aboriginal Community-Controlled Organisation and a Community Service Organisation.
Two award categories recognise individuals’ efforts – the Above and Beyond acknowledges a person for their outstanding commitment to the sector, and their efforts contributing positively to the lives of people in the community.
The Excellence in Leadership award is for someone whose inspiring and influencing leadership has demonstrated great guidance and vision, contributing significantly to the improvement of people’s lives.
The winners of the individual awards will be automatically nominated for 2026 Western Australian of the Year.
There are seven organisational categories for small, medium, and large organisations, as well as awards to recognise regional organisations, collaborative place-based services, and Aboriginal community-controlled organisations.
WACOSS Chief Executive Officer Louise Giolitto said that the awards are a long-term partnership that is supported by Lotterywest.
“WACOSS is honoured to present them to esteemed organisations and individuals who achieve incredible outcomes and are tireless advocates for the sector year after year.
“The awards are a chance for us all to pause and reflect on the success of the work we do, and take the opportunity to come together, celebrate, network, and applaud the sector who assist people experiencing disadvantage.”
CSEA Categories
Category 1: Trailblazing Small Organisation: Catalysts of Community Innovation (sponsored by Palmerston)
Category 2: Standout Medium Organisation: Engines of Progress and Creativity (sponsored by Beyond Bank Australia)
Category 3: Impactful Large Organisation: Powerhouses of Positive Change
Category 4: Remarkable Regional Organisation: Champions of Rural and Remote Innovation (sponsored by Parkerville)
Category 5: Visionary Community-Led Collaboration: Crafting Better Futures Together (sponsored by Ruah Community Services)
Category 6: Exceptional Aboriginal Community-Controlled Organisation: Champions of Cultural Empowerment
Category 7: Inspiring Partnership between an Aboriginal Community-Controlled Organisation and a Community Services Organisation (sponsored by the WA Department of the Premier and Cabinet)
Category 8: Outstanding Contribution: Going Above and Beyond
Category 9: Leadership Excellence: Inspiring Change and Innovation (sponsored by Wanslea)
Previous Winners
- MAN Up WA: A not-for-profit, peer-to-peer education service in WA, with the goal of empowering young men and redefining masculinity.
- Starick: A specialist service working to support victim-survivors of family and domestic violence, and build safer communities.
- Gumala Aboriginal Corporation: Serves the Banjima, Yinhawangka and Nyiyaparli people of the Pilbara region. Gumala’s unique and transformational approach to poverty alleviation is enabling economic, social and community developmental solutions for Traditional Owners.
- Busselton Hospice Care: Established in 1989 by passionate volunteers focused on quality end-of-life care for people.
- Social Reinvestment WA: An Aboriginal-led coalition of 32 non-profit organisations united in the goal of ending the overrepresentation of Aboriginal people in WA’s justice system.
- Derbarl Yerrigan Health Service: Provides culturally responsive primary health care for the Aboriginal population across metropolitan Perth.
- Winnie Hayward: A proud Noongar woman of the Goreng people in the Great Southern region of Western Australia. She works as a Support Worker at Ruah Community Service’s refuge for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women, Kambarang Place, as well as within Ruah’s Business Development Team as an Aboriginal Research officer.
- Elena Petrici: A Peer Professional with a Lived Experience of mental health challenges and domestic violence. Elena leads the largest Lived Experience Peer workforce in Western Australia, as General Manager Peer Programs at Ruah Community Services.
Award finalists and winners will be honoured at a presentation ceremony in the evening of Monday 12 May 2025, which coincides with the WACOSS Conference.
Nomination information can be found here.