AUSactive Awards 2023 Winners Announced
At a spectacular sold-out Gala Event at Federation Square in Melbourne last night, the AUSactive National Awards 2023 winners were crowned across 31
individual, business and community categories marking the biggest and most successful annual awards program for the Australian health and wellbeing industry in recent years.
Showcasing shinning talent from right across Australia, the AUSactive Awards celebrate professionals, business owners and industry experts who demonstrate passion, care and dedication day-in, day-out helping others to be more physically active.
AUSactive National Awards 2023 National Winners
| Category | Winner |
| Accredited Exercise Professional of the Year | Jo-Anne Starkie |
| Aqua Professional of the Year | Marlee King |
| CEC provider of the Year | Polestar Pilates Australia |
| CEC provider of the Year | Australian Institute of Fitness |
| Educator of the Year | Kimberley Garlick |
| LesMills Exercise Instructor of the Year | Joel Costello |
| Franchise Group of the Year | Fitness Enhancement Personal Training |
| Franchisee of the Year | Adam Kennedy, World Gym Chullora |
| Functional Fitness Business of the Year | Gunnedah Health & Fitness Co |
| Functional Fitness Trainer of the Year | Steven Halligan |
| LesMills Group Exercise Leader of the Year | Lisa-Marie Gleeson |
| Active Xchange Healthy Council Award | City of Kwinana – Healthy Lifestyles in Kwinana Project |
| MyZone Independent Business of the Year | Deadlifts and Deathmetal |
| Technogym Industry Innovation Award | Cérge, Belgravia Leisure and Belgravia Foundation |
| Leisure Centre of The Year | Armadale Fitness and Aquatic Centre |
| Mental Health Awareness Award | Fernwood Fitness – Mental Health First Aid |
| Most Inclusive and/or Diverse Program | Confit Pathways |
| OneMusic Multiservice Business of the Year | 5th Element Wellness |
| OneMusic Personal Trainer of the Year | Korin Koutsomihalis |
| Pilates Journal Pilates Business of the Year | Strong Pilates Somerton Park |
| Pilates Journal Pilates Professional of the Year | Catherine Giannitto |
| Active Xchange Social Value & Community Impact Award | Good Energy Run Club |
| OnePlayground Student of the Year | Patrick Mitchell |
| Yoga Business of the Year | One Big Heart |
| Yoga Professional of the Year | Ellen Nash |
| People’s Choice – Registered Professional | Dorothy Gaunt |
| People’s Choice Large Business | Armadale Fitness and Aquatic Centre |
| People’s Choice Medium Sized Business | Fernwood St Kilda |
| People’s Choice Small Business | Halligan’s Fitness |
| Guild Insurance Quality Accredited Business of the Year | Goldfields Oasis |
| Special Awards | |
| Roll of Honour | Chris Hicks |
| Roll of Honour | Korin Koutsomihalis |
| Roll of Honour | Marietta Mehanni |
| Roll of Honour | Paul Brown |
| Chairs Award | Justin McDonell |
AUSactive CEO Barrie Elvish said this year’s Awards Program celebrated the increased scope of the Australian health, fitness and wellbeing industry.
“Congratulations to our national and state winners! Last night was all about you and I’m immensely proud of your achievements. This year we had more entries from the increasing number of modalities AUSactive supports than ever before and I can only see this continuing to grow in years to come,” Mr Elvish said.
“The growth of our industry in the wake of COVID has been phenomenal. Embracing physical activity for our mind and body is vital to leading healthier lives and to see the passion in a room of more than 400 people who dedicate their lives and careers to ensuring people get the best out of their fitness or physical activity is unbelievable.
Mr Elvish said state category winners were also announced at this year’s National Gala for the first time.
“We wanted to elevate the recognition our state winners also received this year. This saw a further 46 state awards presented last night. In all, 81 individuals, business, community groups and special award recipients were honoured in this year’s AUSactvie National Awards 2023.
“Finally, I would like to thank our sponsors, supporting businesses and our AUSactive Awards Judging Panel and team awards team. We really cannot do this without all your hard work and support!”
Justin is the Managing Director of Active Management, which he began January 2004. He offers coaching to businesses worldwide in everything from start up and design to marketing and sales systems. Justin also facilitates four Australian and New Zealand ‘fitness industry roundtables’ events, which allows him to see a huge cross section of business models.