Any individual who was an employee or volunteer of YMCA South Australia between 1 July 2025 and 30 June 2026.

This is our peak award for individual performance, named in honour of the YMCA's founder, Sir George Williams. This award recognises the most outstanding employee of the year across the entire organisation - an individual who goes far beyond the expectations of their role to deliver exceptional impact for YMCA South Australia, the people we serve, and the broader community.

The recipient embodies the Mission, Vision and Values of YMCA South Australia in an authentic and inspiring way. They demonstrate exceptional leadership, initiative and a deep commitment to the Y's purpose - making a measurable difference to the organisation and the community it serves.

• Demonstrated leadership and innovation in their Centre/Program or team and the local community.
• Developed meaningful partnerships on behalf of the YMCA and made exceptional contributions to community activities.
• Possesses a high level of professionalism in operational areas and commitment to YMCA mission should be outstanding.
• Examples of situations where the nominee has gone above and beyond.

Any individual who was an employee or volunteer of YMCA South Australia between 1 July 2025 and 30 June 2026. Nominees should be new to a leadership role or clearly demonstrating emerging leadership capacity - they do not need to currently hold a formal management title.

A key priority of YMCA South Australia is to develop a strong pipeline of future leaders who will take our centres, programs and organisation forward. This award recognises a new leader or someone who is actively demonstrating the capacity and drive to lead - stepping up in meaningful ways, inspiring those around them, and living out the Y's mission with authenticity.

The nominee will demonstrate self-awareness, emotional intelligence and a commitment to continuous growth, showing they are ready to take on greater responsibility within the Y.

Any individual aged 25 years or under who was an employee or volunteer of YMCA South Australia between 1 July 2025 and 30 June 2026.

This award recognises a young person who is making an outstanding contribution within their role at the Y and/or within their broader community. Whether through exceptional performance at work, community leadership, volunteering or other initiatives outside the organisation, this person is showing what it means to be a young person who makes a real difference.

The award aims to celebrate, encourage and inspire young people employed with the Y to grow, develop their skills and gain valuable experience - both inside and outside the organisation. The nominee will demonstrate a positive attitude, a willingness to go above and beyond, and a commitment to the Y's values.

Any individual who was an employee or volunteer of YMCA South Australia between 1 July 2025 and 30 June 2026.

Behind every great team and every successful program, there is someone who quietly makes everything work - the person who goes above and beyond without seeking recognition, who supports their colleagues, lifts the standard of those around them, and holds the team together when it matters most.

This award shines a light on that person. The Unsung Hero is an exceptional team player who consistently goes the extra mile for their team, service or centre, upholds the Y's culture and values, and makes a genuine difference through their everyday actions. Their contribution may not always be visible in headlines - but the people around them know exactly how much they matter.

Any team, service, centre or business unit within YMCA South Australia's Sport & Community programs that operated between 1 July 2025 and 30 June 2026.

This award recognises service excellence within Sport & Community - celebrating a team that has delivered outstanding outcomes in participation, performance and community engagement. The winning team will have found innovative and impactful ways to connect people to sport and community, breaking down barriers to participation and creating opportunities for all people to grow in body, mind and spirit.

The team will have shown exceptional energy, dedication and collaboration - and made their community stronger as a result.

Any team, service, centre or business unit within YMCA South Australia's Children & Families programs that operated between 1 July 2025 and 30 June 2026.

This award celebrates service excellence within Children & Families - recognising a team that has gone above and beyond to deliver outstanding outcomes for children, young people and families. The award highlights teams that champion safeguarding best practice, nurture child development, and build strong, caring environments where children and families thrive.

The winning team will have demonstrated a deep commitment to the wellbeing, safety and development of the children and families they serve and shown how the Y's values come to life in every interaction.

Any team, service, centre or business unit within YMCA South Australia's Operations or Innovation functions that operated between 1 July 2025 and 30 June 2026.

This award recognises service excellence within Operations & Innovation - celebrating a team that has demonstrated a commitment to best practice, operational excellence and innovative thinking in how they deliver for YMCA South Australia. The winning team will have raised the standard of what we do and how we do it, whether through process improvements, technology adoption, system efficiencies or creative problem-solving.

They will have shown what it looks like when operational rigour meets genuine innovation - creating better outcomes for staff, members, and the communities the Y serves.

Any individual, team, service or program of YMCA South Australia that operated between 1 July 2025 and 30 June 2026.

This award recognises an individual or team that has built strong, meaningful partnerships with their community - or delivered above-and-beyond service within a community setting. The recipient will have demonstrated that the Y is more than a service provider; it is a genuine and trusted partner in the communities where it operates.

The nominee's work will have strengthened relationships, increased community connection and made a lasting difference to the people and places they serve. Partnerships may be with community groups, sporting organisations, other non-profits, local or state government, schools or other stakeholders.

Any individual, team, service or program of YMCA South Australia that operated between 1 July 2025 and 30 June 2026.

This award highlights social impact through innovation, program initiatives and out-of-the-box thinking. The recipient will have pushed the boundaries of what the Y does and how it does it - thinking creatively, taking considered risks, and achieving outcomes that have made a genuine difference to the lives of individuals or communities.

Nominations may relate to a new program or service, an innovative community initiative, a creative approach to a social challenge, or any other example of impact-led thinking that has delivered measurable social benefit. The award celebrates the Y's role as a forward-thinking social enterprise committed to creating lasting change.