Winners were announced at the 2024 AUSactive National Awards, held in Sydney on 11th October. The sold-out gala event highlighted talent from across the country, and marked a record number of submissions for the Australian health and wellbeing industry awards program.
What is the AUSactive National Awards Program?
Formerly known in the industry as the Australian Fitness Awards, the AUSactive National Awards Program recognises and celebrates professionals, business owners and industry experts who demonstrate passion, care and dedication day-in, day-out, helping others to be more physically active. Entries are judged and awards are granted by the members of an independent industry judging panel.
Who are the 2024 AUSactive National Award Winners?
This year’s AUSactive National Award Winners included:
2024 Individual Award Winners:
- Aqua Professional of the Year: Irene Lalana (QLD)
- Club Manager of the Year: Carly Burr (World Gym Toowoomba, QLD)
- Educator of the Year: Mish Wright (VIC)
- Group Exercise Leader of the Year: Steven Halligan (Halligan’s Fitness, QLD)
- Personal Trainer of the Year: Dimitri Kogan (WA)
- Pilates Professional of the Year: Lauren Stott (VIC)
- Student of the Year: Michelle Caldwell (VIC)
- Yoga Professional of the Year: Ellen Nash
- Yoga Therapist of the Year: Tanaya Ti’en, Mind Body Collective (WA)
2024 Business Award Winners:
- CEC Provider of the Year: Fitness Education Online NSW & Unite Health (VIC)
- Franchisee of the Year: Guneet Cheema (Fernwood Fitness Cranbourne, Narre Warren & Clayton, VIC)
- Franchise Group of the Year: Jetts Fitness (QLD)
- Independent Business of the Year: Paradise Fitness (QLD)
- Leisure Centre of the Year: Coburg Leisure Centre (VIC)
- Multiservice Business of the Year: Hawthorne Aquatic and Leisure (VIC)
- Pilates Business of the Year: Polestar Pilates (NSW)
- Quality Accredited Business of the Year: Armadale Fitness & Aquatic Centre (WA)
- Yoga Business of the Year: Total Fusion Australia (QLD)
2024 Special Awards:
- AUSactive Chair’s Award: Geoff Lord, Chairman and CEO, Belgravia Group
- AUSactive Lifetime Award and Roll of Honour: Leanne Sklavenitis, Ambassador, FightMND and Author, Finding Awesomeness Through Adversity
- AUSActive Roll of Honour Award: Nigel Benton, Publisher, Australasian Leisure Management
- Katrina Edwards: Co-Founder, Aligned for Life Pilates and Director, National Pilates Training
- Harry Konstantinou: Co-Founder, Viva Leisure
Image source: Facebook.
AUSactive CEO, Barrie Elvish offered his congratulations to all the awards winners at the event, making special mention to the recipients of the Special Awards category. “Your 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!”
On being awarded the Roll of Honour and Lifetime Member accolades, industry legend Leanne Sklavenitis commented, “I had the most significant moment in my career… to receive a standing ovation from my peers was a moment I will never forget.”
2024 People's Choice Award Winners:
- People’s Choice Small Business: Teambros Fitness Club (NSW)
- People’s Choice Medium Sized Business: Fernwood Fitness North Lakes (QLD)
- People’s Choice Large Business: City of Melville LeisureFit Recreation Centres (WA)
- People’s Choice Registered Professional: Linda Ham, Club Manager at Teambros Fitness Club (NSW)
- People’s Choice Brand: Fernwood Fitness
2024 10 THOUSAND FEET Award Winners:
- Employer of Choice Award Multi Location: Fernwood Fitness
- Individual Club Part of a Multi-location Brand: Fernwood Toowoomba (QLD)
- Council Facility or Leisure Centre: Aquafit (NSW)
- Member Love Award PT/Group Training: Vision Personal Training
- Small Footprint/Low Staff 24/7: Jetts Fitness
- Big Box Gym: World Gym
Jetts CEO, Elaine Jobson (pictured above) said, “Winning these two awards is an incredible honour. We are extremely proud to be recognised for the positive impact we make, not just in the fitness industry, but in the lives of our Business Owners and members. At Jetts, our focus is always on people – both our teams and our communities. These awards are a testament to the passion and dedication of everyone involved with Jetts.” This year’s success follows Jetts’ recognition as Australia’s 2nd Best Place to Work in 2023, and the brand continues to grow rapidly, with 10+ new clubs scheduled to open in the first half of 2025. “Jetts is committed to expanding its impact while maintaining the quality and community-driven
focus that has brought us so far,” shared Ms Jobson.
2024 Community Award Winners:
- Social Value & Community Impact Award: ActiveStrongerBetter (NSW) and Kangatraining Australia (QLD)
- Most Inclusive and/or Diverse Program: Youth Moves Program, Thriving in Motion (WA)
- Mental Health Awareness Award: The Happy Hour Initiative, Snap Fitness (QLD) and Therapy Fitness, (QLD)
- Industry Innovation Award: Immersion Therapy, Belgravia Health and Leisure (VIC)
2024 Industry Supplier Award Winners:
- Innovator of the Year Award: Hapana Australia (NSW)
- Best Equipment Supplier Award: Pilates Reformers Australia (NSW)
- Best Technology Integration Award: Technogym (NSW)
The team at What’s New in Fitness would also like to congratulate all the award recipients as well as those who received award nominations this year.
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