The Social Traders National Game Changer Awards 2024 kicked off on 23 July, marking our biggest awards event ever! First up, we celebrated the Victoria and Tasmania game changers at the Abbotsford Convent-acknowledging exceptional achievements among social entrepreneurs and the social procurement movement!

This year's winners and finalists demonstrated a remarkable dedication to creating social and environmental impact, pioneering new approaches, and driving positive change in communities. Let's dive into the details of these inspiring achievements!

Social Procurement Impact Partnership of the Year

Winner: SisterWorks Inc & Yarra Trams

SisterWorks Inc and Yarra Tram's Shared Value Partnership (SVP) exemplifies how strategic collaboration can drive social and environmental progress. Building on their 2022 Community Partnership Program, this partnership has set new standards in social and sustainable procurement.

Partnership highlights:

• Engagement and capacity building: SisterWorks utilises its core services to generate revenue streams, advancing Yarra Trams' social procurement goals and expanding capacity for social impact.
• Innovative practices: The partnership involves textile supply, tram seat refurbishment, and upcycling, with SisterWorks collaborating with Aboriginal business, A2B Consumables, to enhance the scope of their work.

Impact:

• Social: Created 833 hours of employment for priority jobseekers, contributing a $125,000 annual social and economic impact.
• Environmental: Diverted over 4 tonnes of waste from landfills annually through textile repurposing, significantly reducing landfill contribution.
• Capability development: Provided SisterWorks with essential skills in rail safety and manufacturing, enhancing their operational capabilities.
• Economic: Expected a 15% annual revenue increase for SisterWorks, demonstrating the economic benefits of social procurement.

Finalists:

Assembled Threads, Cacti Conserve and Acciona

The Southern Program Alliance (SPA) partnered with environmental experts Stratex and certified social enterprises, Assembled Threads and Cacti Conserve, to transform waste signage material into 100% recycled silt socks. This collaboration not only diverted waste from landfills but also created training and employment for Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) communities, with profits supporting local conservation projects.

Bluegum Grounds Maintenance and Hydro Tasmania

Bluegum Grounds Maintenance, transitioning from domestic services to professional grounds maintenance, has significantly benefited from its partnership with Hydro Tasmania. The support included adopting industry standards, receiving uniforms, and securing formal contracts. This transformation enabled Bluegum to win new contracts and provide meaningful employment and training, contributing to environmental sustainability through native species replanting and invasive species management.

Social Enterprise Pioneer of the Year

Winner: Soap Aid Limited

Soap Aid’s “Hotel to Hands” (H2H) program is a pioneering example of circular economy innovation. By recycling waste soap from hotels into new soap bars, Soap Aid addresses hygiene challenges while promoting sustainability.

Impact:

• Production and distribution: Soap Aid has produced over 3 million soap bars, with more than 1 million bars distributed to Indigenous communities to combat Trachoma and enhance hygiene. Since 2023, the program has recycled 400,000 bars for Australian communities.
• Health impact: Saved over 220,000 children’s lives and reduced hygiene-related illnesses by 44%.
• Environmental benefits: Diverted over 300 tonnes of soap from landfills, avoided 435 tonnes of CO2e emissions, and saved 183,000 litres of fuel.

Finalists:

ArtsPay

ArtsPay, the world’s first payment processor for socially conscious businesses, has made a significant impact in its first two years, generating over $50 million in transactions. By redirecting transaction fees into the arts, ArtsPay supports artists and arts organisations without additional costs to businesses or customers. The ArtsPay Foundation awarded $5,000 to seven artists and $10,000 to two small arts organisations, expanding programs and securing additional support.

Conservation Management

Conservation Management has been a leader in integrating Healthy Country Planning into conservation efforts since 2012. The organisation has trained over 250 people, engaged with more than 80 First Nations communities, and supported over 30 entities in respectful collaboration with First Nations. They have been invited to support the early adoption of Healthy Country Planning in various countries.

Business for Good Game Changer

Social Enterprise Winner: Sue Boyce, Ability Works Australia

Sue Boyce, CEO of Ability Works Australia, has been instrumental in expanding employment opportunities for individuals facing severe barriers. Under her leadership, the organisation has grown its capacity, embraced innovation, and fostered a supportive community.

Achievements:

• Employment expansion: Created flexible job opportunities for individuals with severe disabilities and long-term unemployment, significantly increasing the organisation’s impact.
• Innovation and technology: Embraced advancements such as AI and robotics to ensure inclusivity in modern workplaces.
• Advocacy and support: Actively volunteers, supports other social enterprises, and collaborates with government stakeholders to promote accessibility and inclusion. Sue’s efforts have set a high standard in social enterprise leadership.

Finalists:

Roz Campbell, Tsuno

Roz Campbell, founder of Tsuno, is a leader in addressing period poverty. Her company’s bamboo pads and organic cotton tampons, with 50% of profits donated to support girls and women, have made a substantial impact. Tsuno has partnered with corporate clients and supported organisations such as One Girl and Share the Dignity, donating over $73,000 to date.

Celeste Norris, The Little Social (powered by Youth Projects)

Celeste Norris has expanded The Little Social, creating job opportunities for young people with disabilities and launching a catering business. Her leadership has secured partnerships with organisations like Alfred Health and Victorian Pride Centre, and the Here4Hospitality program has successfully placed 83% of participants into sustainable jobs. Celeste’s efforts in social enterprise and advocacy reflect her dedication to community impact and business excellence.

Business and Government Winner: Francesca Maclean, Yarra Trams

Francesca Maclean’s leadership in social procurement at Yarra Trams has been transformative. Her strategic innovations raised social procurement expenditure from $134,000 to $2.35 million in seven months, introducing new social benefit suppliers and developing the Shared Value Partnership (SVP) model.

Achievements:

• Strategic leadership: Developed a groundbreaking Social Procurement Strategy and increased expenditure significantly.
• Partnerships and Innovation: Collaborated with SisterWorks and A2B Consumables to implement effective social procurement practices, enhancing Yarra Trams’ social impact.

Finalists:

Tina Eastman, Fredon

Tina Eastman’s leadership at Fredon has expanded the company’s partnership with Ability Works, resulting in diverse business opportunities and enhanced social impact. Her innovative strategies and initiatives have set new industry standards and created significant job opportunities.

Christina Young, Marinus Link

Christina Young’s work at Marinus Link has set ambitious social procurement targets and supported local businesses in Tasmania and Victoria. Her efforts in organising workshops and mentoring highlight her commitment to impactful industry practices and community empowerment.

‘S’ in ESG Frontrunner

Winner: John Holland Group, Hobsons Bay Main Sewer Duplication Project

John Holland’s work on the Hobsons Bay Main Sewer Duplication Project demonstrates an outstanding commitment to ESG practices. Their approach has exceeded social impact targets and created a diverse and inclusive workplace.

Achievements:

• Social impact: Surpassed social impact targets, including doubling the planned spend on priority jobseekers and social enterprise procurement.
• Workplace diversity: Achieved notable gender parity with 50% female engineers, focusing on gender and cultural diversity in recruitment.
• Environmental practices: Reused materials and furniture, diverted over 90% of construction waste from landfills, and ensured ongoing air quality and water access.

Finalists:

Eastern BTA

The Eastern Freeway – Burke to Tram Alliance (Eastern BTA) is upgrading Melbourne’s Eastern Freeway and supporting social benefit suppliers with an innovative micro-secondments program. This initiative pairs social enterprises with Eastern BTA team members who have the necessary technical skills or connections to tackle key business challenges.

In six months, they have completed two impactful micro-projects and have another underway. Notable projects include transitioning Sheforce’s IT to a cloud-based system, drafting new commercial terms for Multicultural Consulting Service, and improving Himilo’s marketing collateral.

IFM Investors

IFM Investors’ 50 Lonsdale Street project showcases a comprehensive ESG strategy, integrating social procurement and First Nations suppliers into standard practices. Their focus on heritage, sustainability, and innovative procurement practices highlights their commitment to positive social and environmental impact.

Thank you to all the suppliers, caterers, and certified social enterprises who played a part in making this celebration happen. With your help, we've made this event a success and showcased the incredible talent and dedication within our community. Congratulations to all the winners and finalists for your extraordinary contributions. Business for good is catching on and you’re shaping a brighter, more equitable future for all.