The Victorian Finalists in this year’s AUSactive National Awards 2023 have been named, showcasing the best fitness professionals, business owners and industry experts from right across the state.
This year, the State and National Winners across all categories will be announced at a Gala Event to be held on 15 September 2023.
The Victorian Finalists, announced at a networking event in Melbourne last night are:
Accredited Exercise Professional of the Year
- Kara Sleigh
Aqua Professional of the Year
- Jeffery Pearce
CEC provider of the Year
- BFT – Level Up Education, Inner Athlete, Unite Health
Educator of the Year
- Hilary Foulds, Lisa-Marie Gleeson, Ziad Zakharia
Exercise Instructor of the Year
- Sharon Farrugia
Group Exercise Leader of the Year
- Carol Andrews, Caterina Moscatello Kuchmar, Lisa-Marie Gleeson, Marianne Saada, Paula Kontelj
Healthy Council Award
- Aquamoves – Greater Shepparton City Council
Industry Innovation Award
- Chisholm & IFP Partnership
Franchise Group of the Year
- KX Pilates, Strong Pilates
Franchisee of the Year
- (Anthony Dickens) Fernwood Cairnlea, Chirnside Park, Craigieburn, Sydenham, Tullamarine, (Emma and Mark McDowall) Bendigo and Epsom Snap Fitness, (Guneet Cheema) Fernwood Narre Warren, Clayton & Cranbourne
Independent Business of the Year
- Deadlifts and Deathmetal, Fitness Energy
Accredited Business of the Year
- Ashburton Pool and Recreation Centre, Boroondara Sports Complex, Glen Eira Sports and Aquatic Centre, Hawthorn Aquatic & Leisure Centre, Monash Sport Fitness Centre Peninsula, Monash Sport Fitness Centre Caulfield, Monash Sport Fitness Centre Clayton
Leisure Centre of The Year
- Belgravia Leisure_Yawa Aquatic Centre, Casey Stadium – YMCA, Collingwood Leisure Centre
Mental Health Awareness Award
- Fernwood Fitness / Mental Health First Aid, Project: Caring Connections
Finalist for Most Inclusive and/or Diverse Program
- Every Body Active, QFit
Multiservice Business of the Year
- 5th Element Wellness, Fernwood Fitness Woonona, Genesis Health and Fitness Melton
Personal Trainer of the Year
- Caterina Bozzi, Caterina Moscatello Kuchmar, George Tenwolde Jr, Leonie Tilley, Linda Terlikar-Legras
Pilates Professional of the Year
- Heather Jenkinson, Katrina Edwards, Marena Digby
Pilates Business of the Year
- Aligned for Life Pilates, National Pilates Training
Yoga Professional of the Year
- Aaron Joyner, Heather Jenkinson
Social Value & Community Impact Award
- Active Communities, Fadima Aden
People’s Choice – Registered Professional
- Caterina Moscatello-Kuchmar, Kirsten Aisbett
People’s Choice Medium Sized Business
- Body and Soul Ballarat now known as Genesis, Fernwood Cairnlea, Fernwood Chirnside Park, Fernwood St Kilda
Finalist for People’s Choice Small Business
- Deadlifts & Deathmetal, Kate Macki
AUSactive CEO Barrie Elvish said this year’s judges were impressed by the passion and dedication of this year’s award entries, including a number of first timers to the Awards Program.
“Congratulations to the Victorian Finalists! Recognising the shining individuals and businesses in our growing industry is one of the most important roles AUSactive does as the industry’s leading membership association,” Mr Elvish said.
“The range of categories we now have on offer means there is greater scope for rewarding and celebrating the passion and commitment put into the role of fitness professional, business owner or community leader.”
For more information on this year’s Award Finalists and the National Gala Event on 15 September go to https://awards.ausactive.org.au/
