Local not-for-profit wins at 2024 Melbourne Awards

Parkville-based youth mental health organisation, Orygen, was among the recipients of this year’s Melbourne Awards, held on November 9.

The annual event honours individuals and organisations that have made outstanding contributions to the city’s growth and culture, and it also includes the prestigious Melburnian of the Year and Young Melburnian of the Year awards.

The awards recognise achievements across eight key areas that are vital to Melbourne’s evolution, in the categories of Aboriginal Melbourne (ganbu guljin), Access and Inclusion, City Design, Arts and Events, Community, Knowledge and Innovation, LGBTIQA+, and Sustainability.

Orygen received the Knowledge and Innovation award for its groundbreaking research that is transforming the field of youth mental health.

“Over the last 30 years we’ve grown from a small team to now have the largest concentration of youth mental health researchers, clinicians and educators in the world,” Professor Patrick McGorry said.

Oregon’s youth mental health research is world-leading and impactful, with the award recognising their international advocacy and “integrating cutting-edge research, policy and education with evidence-based clinical care”.

“This is very surprising, but we're very appreciative of this huge honour and it’s great privilege to be here,” Professor McGorry said.

“We're proud to be part of the city's long history of excellence in health and medical research and knowledge translation, and to be leading the revolution in youth mental health from our home in Parkville.”

The Melbourne Awards also honoured Rebecca Scott OAM, a co-founder of Melbourne-based social enterprise STREAT, as Melburnian of the Year, for her exceptional leadership in helping young people in Melbourne secure meaningful jobs and housing, while also tackling climate-related challenges.

The not-for-profit has helped more than 500 young people secure employment in the hospitality and horticulture sectors.

STREAT has also seen1,500 others benefit from its outreach initiatives and gain new skills through short courses and practical training programs.

“I’m so humbled and chuffed to receive this award, especially as a scruffy kid who grew up in the countryside of New South Wales,” Ms Scott said.

“There’s so much unfinished business here, and that’s where I love to put on my metaphorical gumboots and get out into the mud. I want us all to see we’ve got this one precious little life where we get the opportunity to co-create this city as our home,” she said.

“Together, we can make Melbourne kinder, fairer and greener.” 

The Young Melburnian of the Year award was presented to Alex Dekker, the 24-year-old founder of local not-for-profit Alex Makes Meals, in recognition of his innovative work addressing food insecurity across Melbourne.

Alex Makes Meals evolved from a one-man mission in 2020 to now providing more than 3,000 nutritious meals each week to vulnerable individuals and families across the city.

“I am deeply honoured to receive this recognition,” Mr Dekker said. “Alex Makes Meals is about so much more than just providing food; it’s about fostering connections and helping people find stability through community support.”

“Since embarking on this journey, I’ve been continually inspired by those who have transformed my small contribution into a meaningful resource for Melbourne’s most vulnerable,” he said.

“This award reflects the tireless dedication of our volunteers and supporters, who have made this mission possible every step of the way." 

Other notable winners included The Beruk Exhibition, which was honoured with the Aboriginal Melbourne – ganbu guljin award, and Travellers Aid Australia, which received the Access and Inclusion award.

Blender Studios triumphed in the Arts and Events category, while the Koorie Heritage Trust Stage II, designed by Lyons, Greenaway Architects, and Architecture Associates, claimed the City Design award. The Lort Smith Animal Hospital was recognised with the Community award.

Additionally, Queer Town was celebrated with the LGBTIQA+ award, and Urban Tree Recovery was acknowledged for its excellence in Sustainability.