Fitness Australia announces 2015 Award winners

Fitness Australia has announced the national #ActiveAchievers Award, Student Award, Chairman’s Award and Volunteer Award winners of its 2015 ActiveAus Awards program.

The ActiveAus Awards 2015, which celebrate achievement in health and fitness by those in and around the fitness industry, recognised:

• National winner – John Domandl of Eleebana Fitness, NSW
• Chairman’s Award – Susan Kingsmill, former Director of Fitness Australia
• Student winner – Cory Hendy of North Lakes, Queensland
• Volunteer Award – Marco Renai, Director of Healthy Lifestyle Club and Men of Business (MOB) on the Gold Coast

Fitness Australia Chief Executive Lauretta Stace described the awards as a recognition of the achievements of trainers and instructors across Australia. 

Stace explained “there is a huge amount of excellence and innovation in the fitness industry.

“These awards give us a chance to acknowledge and celebrate the contribution that fitness instructors and trainers make to the health of the nation, plus others in and around the fitness industry.”

John Domandl of Eleebana Fitness in Eleebana, NSW - National #ActiveAchievers Award winner.
Domandl was nominated by Greg Fullford and was recognised for his tireless work encouraging and motivating Fullford and his son to do the very best for their health and sporting endeavours.

Image (from left): John Domandl and Jason Fullford.

Jason, who has Down Syndrome, has trained with Domandl for 17 years. 

When they met, Jason lacked confidence and was unwilling to attempt new or challenging physical activities. Domandl has since helped him achieve great results in Special Olympics and mainstream sports. He also helped Greg give up smoking and rekindle a childhood love of physical activity through football and fun runs.

Chairman’s Award – Susan Kingsmill, former Director of Fitness Australia
Kingsmill played a pivotal role in the dispute with the Phonographic Performance Company of Australia (PPCA) regarding unfair music licensing fees for fitness classes. Her defining achievement was bringing together all industry leaders for the cause.

First voted onto the Fitness Australia NSW board in 2001, Kingsmill (pictured) went on to become the President of the NSW board in 2004, and President of the national board until 2009. This year she stepped down as a Director of Fitness Australia.

From the very first board meeting Kingsmill attended, she says she made her mark.

She recalls “the board directors were discussing an initiative that had already been agreed on by all the other states. 

“I was the absolute junior, but I refused to relent and kicked up a stink because I knew it was the wrong decision. 

“That pretty much sums up my role on the board ever since.”

“Today, the government looks upon the fitness industry as a partner with common goals, as do universities for research. Fitness Australia has respect and recognition.”

On her award, Kingsmill stated “it’s difficult to make a mark or even be useful in any large community sense and I’ve had the opportunity to do that. 

“It’s a great privilege and I’m extremely grateful for that opportunity.”

Lauretta Stace believes that the award was well deserved, adding “there is a huge amount of excellence in the fitness industry.

“Susan Kingsmill has made an outstanding contribution to our industry over the last 14 years and she has helped bring the industry forward in leaps and bounds. I’m proud of the recognition she has received with this award.”

National ActiveAus Student Award winner – Cory Hendy of North Lakes, Queensland
Hendry, who is a trainee at The College of Health & Fitness, was nominated for his work with a number of clients. 

Recommending him, Ina Koko of the College of Health and Fitness said “Cory is the epitome of an outstanding fitness trainer. He cares about his clients and is committed to them. 

“Whether it’s weight loss or general improvement of health and fitness, Cory is motivating and encouraging to all.” 

Volunteer Award – Marco Renai, Director of Healthy Lifestyle Club and Men of Business (MOB) on the Gold Coast
Renai receives the award for his work with more than 1,000 boys through MOB, an eight-week fitness program that brings together the fundamentals of a balanced lifestyle in a highly energetic and interactive mentoring program.

Renai (pictured above right) stated “I wanted to show these boys that exercise is the foundation of a good life. For me, working in this industry has always been about changing lives and never about fitness. Fitness is a way to change someone’s life or inspire them to be the best they can be.”

Commenting on his award, Renai said it was an honour to have the program and his work recognised, adding “I encourage all fitness professionals to volunteer. You can learn a lot from creating a program that’s built around improving someone’s life. There’s a passion in health but if you can dive a bit deeper and find a purpose for your business, it adds another level of fulfilment to your life.”

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