Spirit of Service Awards 2023 finalists announced

The Institute of Public Administration (IPAA) ACT selected 11 finalists from across the ACT and federal public services for this year’s Spirit of Service Awards, showcasing initiatives that drive positive change for the Australian community.

On Thursday, IPAA ACT announced its finalists for the 2023 Spirit of Service Awards. Selected with the help of expert assessors, these projects stood out from a competitive field of 26 applications across four categories: Collaboration, Community Engagement, Breakthrough, and Learning.

IPAA ACT CEO Caroline Walsh said that in what has been a challenging year for the public sector, it was heartening to see so many great submissions which showed enthusiasm and promise in driving positive change.

“Getting to celebrate and showcase some of the exceptional work that public servants do is at the heart of what we do at IPAA ACT,” she said.
“From building a suicide prevention culture in the APS to indigenous development and employment, this year’s finalists speak to some of the core challenges facing Australia.
“Much of the great work of public servants goes unnoticed, and we’re proud to give them time in the spotlight.”

This year’s finalists are:

Learning award

•  Compassionate Foundations: Building a suicide prevention culture in the APS | Australian Public Service Commission and Department of Defence
•  ACT Government Flexible Work Program | ACT Public Service

Collaboration award

• Implementation of the National Consumer Protection Framework for Online Wagering | Department of Social Services
• Indigenous Development and Employment Program | National Indigenous Australians Agency
• Cross-departmental collaboration to deliver the 2022 federal election Secure Telephone Voting service | Australian Electoral Commission
• Territories Stolen Generations Redress Scheme (the Scheme): meaningful and ongoing collaboration to ensure trauma-informed, survivor-centred design and service delivery | National Indigenous Australians Agency

Breakthrough award

• Provider Connect Australia (PCA) service | Australian Digital Health Agency
• E-wasp Control | ACT Public Service

Community award

•  Reforming care and legal protections for people with variations in sex characteristics | ACT Public Service
•  Community engagement at Fitzroy Crossing Service Centre | Services Australia

 
The finalists will go on to deliver a 3-minute video pitch presentation of their initiative to our judging panel. Winners and runners-up for each category will be announced at the Spirit of Service Awards Gala Dinner on 8 November 2023 in Canberra.

“We look forward to celebrating with the finalists later in the year and hope to see many of their colleagues join us for what we hope will be a wonderful evening honouring public servants’ achievements,” Ms Walsh said.

 ___

For media inquiries please contact Julia Ahrens, IPAA ACT communications and engagement manager, via julia.ahrens@act.ipaa.org.au or on 0402 190 656.

IPAA is the professional body focused on the promotion of excellence and professionalism in public administration. We are a non-profit and non-partisan organisation that works in partnership with the public sector, the private sector, academia and other institutions, to provide a platform for debate and discussion about improving and striving for excellence in public administration in Australia.