YMCA rewards excellence, releases national brand guidelines

The recent YMCA National Convention saw the presentation of a series of Awards for excellence and commitment to YMCA’s and their staff, both professional and volunteer, around Australia.

Award winners were: 

Volunteer of the Year: Sharon and John Demopoulos - YMCA Geelong 
Sharon and John Demopoulos are the driving force behind the YMCA Treehouse program, a support and friendship group for families living with Autism. They contribute 15 volunteer hours a week to run the program, that provides social networks and activities for families. They are driven by both a personal and professional passion - their youngest child Sammy, 11, has Autism. 

IC Howard/Y Service Clubs Staff Scholarship: Morgan Ewing - YMCA Top End
Morgan Eing, Youth Services Manager at the YMCA Top End, will use the scholarship funds to complete a diploma in mental health, recognising the rise of mental health issues among our young and the role the YMCA can play in supporting and empowering them. Morgan, 24, has already initiated two start-up YMCA programs in the NT, including re-establishing YMCA Youth Parliament and International Youth exchanges. 

Green Leader:  ecoAPARC - YMCA Victoria
This program at the Ashburton Pool and Recreation Centre (APARC) was recognised for its holistic approach to embedding environmental sustainability issues in all areas of operations from a community garden and community composting which contributes to the café menu, to waste management initiatives and embedding sustainability into the centre's school holiday program. 

 
Program of Excellence: YMCA Brightside - YMCA NSW
This is a program delivered across 18 YNSW centres with over 150 members that offers free and unlimited access to a YMCA facility for 60 days for people recovering from mental illness, promoting the benefits of exercise and social inclusion at its heart. 50% of participants transition to a YMCA Membership and continuing their connection.

The YMCA National Convention also saw the release of new National Branding Guidelines along with the first concepts for the ‘SurprisinglyY’ media campaign revealed. 

The National Branding Guidelines aim to ensure consistency in the presentation of the Y’s brand image in all its activities.

Click here to view a presentation on the National Branding Guidelines. 

Top images shows APARC's receipt of its Green Leader Award at the YMCA National Convention.

11th December 2014 - NEW NATIONAL PRESIDENT FOR YMCA AUSTRALIA AND NEW BOARD MEMBERS 

4th October 2013 - RED CENTRE COMMUNITY CELEBRATES OPENING OF $3 MILLION SWIMMING POOL