SACS Award for Leadership in the State Government Sector
The winners of the SACS Award for Leadership in the State Government Sector were announced at The Australian Club on Wednesday, 14th July. For the first time in the SACS Award’s history, there were joint winners of the top prize, awarded to Associate Professor Terry Haines, Director Allied Health, Clinical Research Unit, Southern Health and Maria Tsopanis, Manager, Multicultural Hub, Adult Multicultural Education Service (AMES).
The judges commented that Associate Professor Terry Haines has led an ongoing exciting venture to build a research culture amongst allied health clinicians at Southern Health. Southern Health is the largest health service in Victoria and clinicians now report "a strong sense of achievement and confidence to participate in clinical research and apply their findings to their daily practice". Dr Haines has facilitated a cultural change which has brought about improved health outcomes not just for the 30% of Melburnians who access Southern Health, but for all who benefit from the advancement of clinical knowledge.
The judging panel was impressed with the demonstrations of Maria's energy, empathy and insight. Maria's achievements over the past ten years include a tireless development of the AMES social enterprise model, close relationships with schools and other community bodies, and facilitating and managing the AMES Women's Camp. Maria is spoken of as a quiet, patient, "grass roots" leader. The judging panel in particular recognised that true leadership does not rest solely with people in CEO-level roles or even with high-profile titles and positions. Rather, true leadership potential is with all people of good will who use their influence to bring about a worthwhile community vision.
The finalist was Professor Paul Johnson, President & Vice-Chancellor, La Trobe University for radically transforming the curriculum, improving infrastructure with funding of more than $650m, and energising research. He increased community engagement, established the Latrobe University Foundation and developed a vision of sustainable growth through the local areas through the Northern Melbourne Strategy.
Click here for our record of the 2010 SACS Awards for Leadership in the Not for Profit and State Government Sectors.
We are delighted to have received a record number of submissions this year and due to this increase we will be considering the option of creating a new category for the SACS Awards for Leadership in State Government in 2011.
State Government Joint Winner, Associate Professor Terry Haines, Director Allied Health, Clinical Research Unit, Southern Health
State Government Joint Winner, Maria Tsopanis, Manager, Multicultural Hub, Adult Multicultural Education Service (AMES)
State Government Finalist, Professor Paul Johnson, President & Vice-Chancellor, La Trobe University
