AUSactive Awards 2024 Winners announced at sold-out industry gala event

The 2024 AUSactive Award Winners have been honoured and celebrated in front of one of the largest AUSactive Awards crowds in memory.

Following a record number of submissions and finalists across all award categories, the sold-out Gala Event at Doltone House in Sydney on Friday night saw 38 individuals and businesses announced as winners across 35 different awards - each showcasing outstanding and growing talent from right across the country.

In additional to the individual and business awards, the evening also witnessed the announcement of the recipients of the AUSactive Roll of Honour and Chair’s Award.

Advising that it was an honour to celebrate this year’s winners, AUSactive Chief Executive, Barrie Elvish stated “congratulations to the 2024 AUSactive Award Winners.

“This was a fantastic celebration and I’m immensely proud of the achievements of our award winners and all the category finalists in this year’s Awards Program.”

Awards 2024 National Winners

AUSactive National Awards 2024 National Winners
Individual Categories
• Personal Trainer of the Year
Dimitri Kogan, Western Australia

• Group Exercise Instructor/Leader of the Year
Steven Halligan, Halligan’s Fitness, Queensland

• Club Manager of the Year
Carly Burr, World Gym Toowoomba, Queensland

• Educator of the Year
Mish Wright, Victoria

• Aqua Professional of the Year 
Irene Lalana, Irela Aqua and Fitness, Queensland

• Pilates Professional of the Year
Lauren Stott, Victoria

• Student of the Year
Michelle Caldwell, Victoria

• Yoga Professional of the Year
Simon Ngo, Flow Athletic, New South Wales

• Yoga Therapist of the Year 
Tanaya Ti’en, Mind Body Collective, Western Australia

Business Categories
• CEC Provider of the Year
o Fitness Education Online, New South Wales
o Unite Health, Victoria

• Independent Business of the Year
Paradise Fitness, Queensland

• Leisure Centre of the Year
Coburg Leisure Centre, Victoria

• Multiservice Business of the Year
Hawthorne Aquatic and Leisure (HALC), Victoria

• Franchise Group of the Year
Jetts Fitness, Queensland

• Franchisee of the Year
Guneet Cheema, Fernwood Fitness Cranbourne, Narre Warren, and Clayton, Victoria

• Pilates Business of the Year
Polestar Pilates, New South Wales

• Yoga Business of the Year
Total Fusion Australia, Queensland

• Quality Accredited Business of the Year
Armadale Fitness and Aquatic Centre, Western Australia

Community Categories
• Social Value & Community Impact Award
o ActiveStrongerBetter, New South Wales
o Kangatraining Australia, Queensland

• Most Inclusive and/or Diverse Program
Youth Moves Program, Thriving in Motion, Western Australia

• Mental Health Awareness Award
o The Happy Hour Initiative, Snap Fitness, Queensland
o Therapy Fitness, Queensland

• Industry Innovation Award
Immersion Therapy, Belgravia Health and Leisure, Victoria

Industry Suppliers Categories
• Innovator of the Year Award
Hapana Australia, New South Wales

• Best Equipment Supplier Award
Pilates Reformers Australia, New South Wales

• Best Technology Integration Award
Technogym, New South Wales

People’s Choice
• People’s Choice Small Business
Teambros Fitness Clubs, New South Wales

• People’s Choice Medium Sized Business
Fernwood Fitness North Lakes, Queensland

• People’s Choice Large Business
City of Melville LeisureFit Recreation Centres, Western Australia

• People’s Choice Registered Professional
Linda Ham, Club Manager at Teambros Fitness Club, New South Wales

• People’s Choice Brand
Fernwood Fitness

10 THOUSAND FEET Awards
• 10 THOUSAND FEET Employer of Choice Award
Multi Location
Fernwood Fitness

Individual Club Part of a Multi-location Brand
Fernwood Toowoomba

Council Facility or Leisure Centre
Aquafit, New South Wales

10 THOUSAND FEET Member Love Award
PT/Group Training
Vision Personal Training

Small Footprint/Low Staff 24/7
Jetts Fitness

Big Box Gym
World Gym

Special Awards
• AUSactive Chair’s Award
Geoff Lord, Chairman and Chief Executive, Belgravia Group

• AUSactive Lifetime Award and Roll of Honour Award
Leanne Sklavenitis, Ambassador, FightMND and Author, Finding Awesomeness Through Adversity

• AUSActive Roll of Honour Award
o Nigel Benton, co-founder and Publisher, Australasian Leisure Management
o Katrina Edwards, co-founder, Aligned for Life Pilates and Director, National Pilates Training
o Harry Konstantinou, Chief Executive and Managing Director, Viva Leisure

Elvish added “it was also a privilege to induct Leanne Sklavenitis, Nigel Benton, Katrina Edwards and Harry Konstantinou onto the AUSactive Roll of Honour and present the Chair’s Award to Geoff Lord from Belgravia Group.

“Their dedication to the Australian active health and fitness industry is phenomenal and this was evidenced by the standing ovation both Geoff and Leanne received when accepting their awards. We thank you all for the ongoing passion and commitment.

“Finally, I would like to thank our sponsors, supporting businesses and our AUSactive Awards Judging Panel and team awards team.”

The gala event was hosted by presenter Liz Nable with awards presented by AUSactive Chair Jayne Blake, Barrie Elvish and sponsors.

A feature on Geoff Lord will appear in Australasian Leisure Management issue 165

Images: AUSactive's Barrie Elvish and Jayne Blake on stage at the awards (top), Leanne Sklavenitis, flanked by her husband and daughter, her AUSactive Lifetime Award and Roll of Honour Award (middle) and Andrew Simmons of Vision Personal Training having received the 10 THOUSAND FEET Member Love Award for PT/Group Training from Ed Steiner of 10 THOUSAND FEET (below).