Celebrating the Finalists of the 2025 You Are ACE! Aged Care Excellence Awards

The finalists for the 2025 You Are ACE! Awards have been announced – and they’re nothing short of inspiring. These awards recognise the extraordinary individuals, teams, and organisations across Australia who are raising the bar in aged care. From innovation and leadership to person-centred care and community impact, these finalists exemplify what it means to be truly ACE: Aged Care Exceptional.

Individual Finalists

Leadership: Celebrating those who lead with vision and heart, these finalists inspire their teams and foster the next generation of aged care leaders:

• Aurielle Reyes – The Shoreline Coffs Harbour, NSW

• Ben Hall – Barossa Village Inc., SA

• Faye Spiteri – Fronditha Care, VIC

• Veronica John – Whiddon, NSW

Innovation: Meet the creative minds transforming aged care with scalable, problem-solving innovations:

• Amanda Schofield – Southern Cross Care (NSW & ACT), NSW & ACT

• David Martin – St Vincent's Care Services, QLD

• Kelvin Neave – Dougherty Apartments, NSW

• Marg Alexander – Benetas, VIC

Consumer Focus and Care: Recognising those who put people first, delivering exceptional, respectful, and person-centred care:

• Asmir Huzejrovic – Villa Maria Catholic Homes, VIC

• Dave Bell – Rise, WA

• James Wotherspoon – Southern Cross Care (NSW & ACT), NSW & ACT

• John Fato – Lifeview Emerald Glades, VIC

• Kerry Curran – Royal Freemasons' Benevolent Institution, NSW

Rising Star: Emerging talents already making their mark and showing strong leadership potential:

• Brianna Browne – Harbison Retirement Living Village, NSW

• Dylan Dumbleton – Community Vision Australia, WA

• Justin Woodward – Harbison Retirement Living Village, NSW

Volunteer: Honouring selfless service and lasting impact on resident wellbeing and community:

• Carol Pickering – Villa Maria Catholic Homes, VIC

• Gail Williams – Calvary Mount Carmel, NSW

• Gary Hollier – Royal Freemasons' Benevolent Institution, NSW

• Marilyn Hobbs – Royal Freemasons' Benevolent Institution, NSW

• Theodorus Giannicopoulos – Fronditha Care, VIC

• Viv Simpson – Sawtell Catholic Care, NSW

Team Finalists

Project

• Curtin Uni Media Student Volunteers – Melville Cares, WA

Innovation

• Logan Team Leaders – Anglicare Southern Queensland, QLD

• Infinite Care Cornubia Team – Infinite Care Cornubia, QLD

• Waratah Allied Health Team – Maroba Nursing Home, NSW

Consumer Focus and Care

• Killara Respite Centre Team – Anglicare Southern Queensland, QLD

• Aged & Disability Team – Broome Regional Aboriginal Medical Service, WA

• CHSP Group-Based Program – SydWest Multicultural Services, NSW

Teamwork

• HealthX Covid Surge Workforce – HealthX, QLD

• Moopi Moopi Team – St Vincent's Care Services, QLD

• Volunteer Relations – Wesley Mission Queensland, QLD

• Whiddon Wingham – Residential Services Team, Whiddon, NSW

Making a Difference

• Residential Allied Health Team – Alwyndor, SA

• Calvary Haydon Knitting Group – Calvary Haydon Retirement Village, ACT

• ActiveStrongerBetter Seniors Exercise Program – Novacare Community Services, NSW

• St Vincent's Care Toowoomba Team – St Vincent's Care Services, QLD

Organisation Finalists

Excellence

• Alwyndor, SA

• Cadorna House Aged Care, TAS

• My Guardian, NSW

Innovation

• ACH Group, SA

• Kaloma Aged Care, QLD

• RangeCare, QLD

Consumer Focus and Care

• Alwyndor, SA

• Benetas, VIC

• St Vincent's Care Services, QLD

Making a Difference

• CPE Group, WA

• Lifeview Emerald Glades, VIC

• Noosa Seniors, QLD

Rural and Remote

• Emmerton Park Incorporated, TAS

• LiveBetter, NSW

• Selectability, QLD

These finalists represent the heart and soul of aged care in Australia. Congratulations to all for their extraordinary dedication, creativity, and compassion. Winners will be announced at the You Are ACE! Awards event later this year – but every finalist is already a champion in their own right.