Award Winners
On Wednesday 8 October, we celebrated the inaugural MAVlab Innovation Awards, shining a spotlight on the sector’s trailblazers driving change across Victoria.
From climate resilience and AI to cost-saving, scalable solutions, we were so excited to acknowledge how councils are leading the way in reimagining what’s possible for our communities.
Learn about the MAVlab Innovation Awards Winners below and stay tuned for later this year when we share a library of case studies featuring all of our 2025 finalists.
People at the 2025 MAVlab Innovation Awards Celebration
Please note that we will be adding additional photos to this gallery soon and sharing a video wrap of the evening.
MAVlab Innovation Awards Winners
2025 Innovatio Pro Bono Publico Award: Leader, supported by Swinburne University of Technology
- Amanda Kern, Yarra Ranges and Nillumbik Shire Councils.
2025 Innovatio Pro Bono Publico Award: Emerging Leader,supported by Leadership Victoria
- Tavis Vallance, Boroondara City Council.
The Thrive Award for Leadership in Change Management, supported by Swinburne University of Technology
- Lisa Ippolito, Whitehorse City Council.
The Insights Award for Leadership in Data-driven Decision-making, supported by SenSen Networks
- Knowledge Bank Working Group, Melbourne City Council.
The Connector Award for Community Inclusion and Cohesion, supported by NBN Local
- Merri-bek Democracy Lab, Merri-bek City Council.
The Wellbeing Award for Community Health Impacts, supported by VicHealth
- #Filtered Body Image Project, Greater Dandenong City Council.
The Energiser Award for Climate Resilience and Adaptation, supported by Clean Energy Council
- Solar Saver, Darebin City Council.
The Stronger Together Award for Council Collaboration, supported by JLT Public Sector
- Welcome Baby to Wurundjeri Country Ceremony, Brimbank City Council and Maribyrnong City Council.
The Engage Award for Impactful and Inclusive Storytelling, supported by Fireside Agency
The Systems and Cycles Award for Regenerative Design, supported by RMIT University
- Northcote Aquatic and Recreation Centre, Darebin City Council.
The Future is Maintenance Award for Asset Management, supported by Matter
- Melbourne’s Stormwater Sensing Pilot, Melbourne City Council.
The Now and Forever Award for Impact and Legacy, supported by Australian Red Cross
- Solar Saver, Darebin City Council.
The Smooth Sailing Award for Service Optimisation and CX, supported by LANDATA® operated by SERV
- Mitchell Shire Council Gender Impact Assessment App, Mitchell Shire Council.
The Refuge Award for Innovation in Safe Spaces for Community, supported by Neighbourhood Houses Victoria
- Make Room, Melbourne City Council.
The Sandbox Award for Experimentation Practice, supported by Breakthrough Victoria
- Living Labs, Casey City Council.
The Fin-novation Award for Financial Ingenuity, supported by Finpro
- Smart Asset Monitoring at Casey Fields, Casey City Council.