Celebrating its 15th year, the awards recognise the outstanding achievements of individuals and organisations that make our city a unique place to live, visit and do business.
"This year's finalists embody the spirit and passion which contribute to Melbourne being named the World's Most Liveable City year after year," Lord Mayor Robert Doyle AC said.
"From iconic institutions like the Melbourne International Comedy Festival to inspirational community groups like the ILBIJERRI Theatre Company, each of our 25 finalists contributes to the fabric of Melbourne in their own unique way.
"I congratulate the finalists on their short listing and look forward to announcing the winners on November 18."
The Melbourne Awards celebrate significant achievements in the areas of Environmental Sustainability, Profile, Multiculturalism and Community, with subcategories to recognise corporations and community organisations within their respective fields.
The independent judging panel for the 2017 Melbourne Awards included 35 business and 40 community leaders across a range of industry sectors. The final shortlist was created following a rigorous assessment and interview process.
Melbourne Town Hall will host a gala event on Saturday 18 November where the winners from each category, along with the 2017 Melburnian of the Year, will be revealed.
Please see the full list of 2017 finalists below. For more information visit Melbourne Awards or call 9658 9658.
2017 Melbourne Awards finalists
Contribution to Environmental Sustainability
This category recognises projects or activities that create a more environmentally sustainable city through advancements in sustainable innovation and design, the development of new environmental projects, or programs that educate, connect and inspire others to change community behaviour.
Contribution to Environmental Sustainability by a Corporation
- Melbourne International RoRo & Automotive Terminal (MIRRAT)
- Transurban
- Wormlovers Pty Ltd
Contribution to Environmental Sustainability by a Community Organisation
- The Royal Agricultural Society of Victoria
- Steps to Sustainability Conference
- City Gardens
Contribution to Community
This category is awarded to organisations or projects that enhance the lives and wellbeing of residents and workers through new approaches to community services and volunteer work, improvements to accessibility or the development of programs that provide support and positive outcomes for the disadvantaged or vulnerable in the community.
Contribution to Community by a Corporation
- Spotless
- EPICURE
- The Pauline Gandel Children's Gallery by Melbourne Museum
Contribution to Community by a Community Organisation
- ILBIJERRI Theatre Company
- Somali Community Inc.
- Midsumma Festival
- Youth Projects
- Laneway Learning
Contribution to Profile
This category celebrates projects or activities that have built Melbourne's reputation as a centre for business, sport, entertainment, knowledge and culture. These initiatives may have delivered economic benefit to the city, strengthened Melbourne's profile by generating national and/or international media exposure, or encouraged visitation to the city.
Contribution to Profile by a Corporation
- Hidden Secrets Tour
- The Mulberry Group
Contribution to Profile by a Community Organisation
- MPavilion
- Melbourne International Comedy Festival
- Petite Grand Kaboom Ltd (Little Big Shots)
- veski
Contribution to Multiculturalism
This category recognises projects or activities that have contributed towards developing Melbourne as a multicultural city. This may include programs or initiatives that promote racial harmony and cultural understanding, improve community relations, or provide support to migrants and refugees living in the community.
Contribution to Multiculturalism by a Corporation
- Chin Communications
- Bastille Day French Festival Inc.
Contribution to Multiculturalism by a Community Organisation
- Africa Day Australia Inc
- They Cannot Take the Sky exhibition / Behind the Wire and Immigration Museum
- African Music and Cultural Festival
About the Melbourne Awards
The Melbourne Awards honour a diverse range of contributions, focussing on community organisations and corporations that work tirelessly for the benefit of the city. Highlighting these achievements inspires and challenges others to help create a better future for Melbourne.
Four areas have been identified by the City of Melbourne as vital elements for securing Melbourne's future as a thriving, forward-thinking capital city: honouring significant contributions to Melbourne's environmental sustainability, community, profile and multiculturalism. Within each of these areas, winners are recognised in two separate divisions: corporations and community organisations, resulting in a total of eight award categories.
An inspirational individual within the Melbourne community is also honoured as the 'Melburnian of the Year'. The recipient will be selected by a committee of notable Melburnians appointed by the Lord Mayor.
A full list of previous Melbourne Awards recipients is available on request.
Past winners of the Melburnian of the Year include:
- Neale Daniher AM – Patron and Vice Chairman, Cure for MND Foundation
- Bryan Lipmann AM – Founder and CEO, Wintringham Specialist Aged Care
- Professor Sharon Lewin – Leading research scientist on HIV and AIDS
- Major Brendan Nottle – Salvation Army
- Michael Gudinski AM – Founder, Mushroom Records
- Harold Mitchell AC – Founder, Harold Mitchell Foundation
- Jim Stynes OAM – Co-Founder, Reach and AFL-great
- Susan Barton AM – Director and Founder, Lighthouse Foundation
- John Bertrand AM – Chairman, Alannah and Madeline Foundation, Winning America's Cup Skipper
- Lyn Swinburne AM – Founder, Breast Cancer Network Australia
- Ron Barassi AM – AFL Legend
- Andrew Gaze AM – Australian Olympian.