2011 winners
Melburnian of the Year: Harold Mitchell AC
Prominent businessman and philanthropist Harold Mitchell was named Melburnian of the Year at the 2011 Melbourne Awards Gala Ceremony.
The award has been presented to the founder of Mitchell and Partners for his exceptional commitment and generosity to the community, in particular the efforts of his philanthropic foundation, the Harold Mitchell Foundation which initiates research funding opportunities and support to nearly 150 health and arts projects across Australia and overseas.
He has been Chairman of the National Gallery Australia, President of the Melbourne International Festival of Arts, President of the Museums Board of Victorian and a Board Member of the Opera Australia Council.
Mr Mitchell holds a large number of community roles including Chairman CARE Australia; Chairman of the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra; Chairman of ThoroughVision; Chairman of Art Exhibitions Australia; Vice President of Tennis Australia; and Director of Deakin Foundation.
Mr Mitchell was appointed Companion of the Order of Australia in 2010 for eminent service to the community through leadership and philanthropic endeavours in the fields of art, health and education and as a supporter of humanitarian aid in Timor-Leste and Indigenous communities.
Contribution to Sustainability
Corporation: ‘Pixel’, Grocon
Grocon’s Pixel Building is a carbon-neutral ‘office of the future’ that exists in Melbourne right now. This eye-catching building on the Carlton Brewery redevelopment site ticks just about every green box you can think of.
Behind its colourful pixelated façade is a building that can generate more energy on site than it uses and is completely water self-sufficient.
The new materials and technologies tested on Pixel are now being incorporated into Grocon’s other construction projects. One new material – a concrete that can halve the embodied carbon in concrete mix – is now commercially available.
The Pixel Building has achieved a perfect Green Star score and will achieve the highest-ever environmental rating for buildings using the LEED and BREEAM rating schemes.
Approximately 740,000 buildings are registered worldwide under these three rating schemes and Pixel is at the forefront of them all.
Community Organisation: ‘Flemington Green Fields’, Victoria Racing Club
Victoria Racing Club is leading the way for major events companies and venues in terms of sustainability. Its Flemington Green Fields program is an industry leader and sees the racing club work with its supply chain and other partners as well as racegoers to reduce environmental impacts.
It has achieved outstanding success since launching the program in 2008. All electricity for Flemington race days is now sourced from renewable energy sources and the club has installed solar panels as well as onsite electricity generation.
It has also installed two Melbourne-first desalination units and a rainwater harvesting system that have contributed to reducing annual drinking water consumption by almost 30 per cent.
In addition, the club’s work with community and business partners has distributed tonnes of surplus food from Melbourne Cup Carnivals to food relief agencies, helping reduce its waste to landfill by 45 per cent in just two years.
Individual: Tony Arnel
Tony Arnel uses his leadership skills and influence to help make Melbourne a more sustainable city.
Victoria’s Building and Plumbing Industry Commissioner, Tony works tirelessly to promote high performance buildings with reduced environmental impacts.
He helped make Victoria the first Australian state to achieve the five-star standard for new homes (soon to be six-star) and as Chair of the Green Building Council of Australia since 2000, he has helped introduce Green Star rating tools for buildings and raised the bar for minimum standards and industry best practice.
Tony also has a leading international role, serving as Chair of the World Green Building Council since 2008. Through his work in China, India and the United States Tony promotes Melbourne as a centre of sustainability, leadership and action around the world.
Contribution to Profile
Corporation: China Southern Airlines
China Southern Airlines plays a vital and growing role in connecting Melbourne with Asia.
As China’s largest airline, one of its important strategic routes is between Melbourne and China’s third largest city, Guangzhou, which is a major transport and trading hub.
In 2010, the airline increased the number of flights on the Melbourne–Guangzhou route from three per week to seven, lifting passenger capacity 76 per cent. It carried 79,550 passengers on the route last year, including 51,836 international visitors who generated $86 million for the local economy.
China Southern Airlines is continuing to invest in the Melbourne–Guangzhou route, with plans to double its weekly flights, and taking it from one flight per day to two.
Community Organisation: Melbourne Food and Wine Festival
The Melbourne Food and Wine Festival has a long-standing and vital role in promoting Melbourne as one of the world’s finest food and wine cities.
Launched in 1993, the festival generates global attention each year, attracting the world’s biggest culinary and wine personalities alongside Victoria’s own celebrated chefs, restaurateurs, winemakers, sommeliers, producers and artisans.
This year’s festival in March featured more than 250 events showcasing the city’s top restaurants, cafes and bars as well as the produce from Victoria’s diverse regional areas. More than 370,000 visitors attended over 11 days, with highlights including an edible public garden grown in City Square, twilight foodie films at Federation Square, numerous events in Chinatown and Docklands and al fresco celebrations in Melbourne’s laneways, rooftops and basements.
The Melbourne Food and Wine Festival celebrates its 20th anniversary in 2012.
Individual: Guy Grossi
Guy Grossi is a towering figure in Melbourne’s culinary landscape who tirelessly promotes Melbourne and Victoria to international audiences.
A proud ‘Broady boy’ of Italian migrant parents, Guy makes an enormous contribution through his Melbourne Grossi Florentino restaurant and the Grossi Trattoria & Wine Bar in Bangkok.
His community work is just as important and Guy has been a quiet but significant contributor to numerous charities for many years.
Guy uses his growing global reputation from his role in the international ‘Iron Chef’ television series and overseas promotions such as ‘G’day USA’ to promote his extraordinary passion for Melbourne’s food and wine culture.
He is a true visionary and leader who uses his strong relationships and connections to benefit his home town.
Contribution to Community
Corporation: ‘African-Australian Inclusion Program’, National Australia Bank
The National Australia Bank is transforming the lives of migrants with its breakthrough African-Australian Inclusion Program.
Launched in 2008, this innovative program offers six months of full-time employment to qualified African-Australians with the bank’s various business units.
Each participant is supported by an accredited workplace coach and mentor, who works closely with them to improve their resume and build their confidence and professional networks.
Of the 23 African-Australians who have completed the program to date, 70 per cent have subsequently found full-time employment in their area of expertise. This outstanding success has seen the bank expand the program’s scope and breadth each year.
The bank has also strengthened its community links through its close work with Jesuit Social Services and Adult Multicultural Education Services to source and support suitable candidates. Bank staff are also benefiting by helping newcomers to Australia and deepening their own cultural understanding.
Community Organisation: Arts Project Australia
Arts Project Australia gives people with an intellectual disability a chance to develop their artistic talents and showcases their work to a mainstream audience.
Established in 1974, this dedicated organisation has been a leader and innovator in the arts and disability sectors for over 30 years.
It has a highly visible community presence with a unique gallery and studio in Northcote, where artists produce work in numerous disciplines such as painting, ceramics, printmaking and animated short film.
The work of its artists regularly features in local, national and international mainstream galleries, exhibitions and events and has won praise and support from senior art curators.
Arts Project Australia was the first full-time arts studio for artists with an intellectual disability. It has built an enviable reputation worldwide for its creative and individual studio philosophy as well as for its outstanding artwork.
Individual: Major Brendan Nottle
The dedication shown to others by Major Brendan Nottle is an inspiration for all.
Brendan oversees the daily operations of the Salvation Army in the central city, which sees him at work seven days a week helping diverse people with many challenges.
You’ll also find Brendan on the 614 Youth Bus in Melbourne most evenings and his patience, humour and dedication have won him universal respect. His ability to build bridges between people and his passion for improving services has seen him continually find new ways to help the most needy.
Brendan was instrumental in developing and launching the inaugural The Melbourne Way campaign in February this year, which spread the message of mutual tolerance and respect.
A father of three, Brendan also manages to find time to serve as Collingwood Football Club’s volunteer chaplain.