Prizes and Recognition
What’s in it for our innovation leaders?
The purpose of the MAVlab Innovation Awards is to seek out and shine a light on creative innovation of all shapes, sizes and types - and it is only right that we reflect this purpose in our own practice.
Three finalists are selected in each category. Winners receive a unique, artist commissioned trophy, and all finalists are awarded a certificate recognising their excellence in innovation. Each year we will commission a local artist to create the winners’ trophies. They will be unique and special artifacts that reflect the innovative thinking, deep skill, dedicated practice and rich storytelling that is at the heart of all of the nominated projects and people in this program.
All finalists and winners are invited to a sector celebration on 17 September, bringing together local government innovators to recognise their leading work.
One emerging leader, selected from across all categories and submissions by our judges, will receive a scholarship to participate in Leadership Victoria’s Igniting Leadership Program.
Finalists and winners will also be featured in the MAVlab Innovation Case Study Library, a growing sector resource showcasing outstanding innovation from Victorian councils to support learning, adaptation and scaling. Approximately 40 new case studies will be added in 2026, launched in September.
By sharing leading case studies, via photos, videos and project data, the library helps councils learn from sector leaders and apply proven ideas to build capability, resilience and impact in their own communities.
Learn more about our iconic MAVlab Innovation Award trophies below.
2026 Trophies
In 2026, we’re partnering with a local design studio to create a limited‑edition collection of trophies that celebrate local craftsmanship and recognise the bold, leading work of Victorian councils. Designed as keepsake pieces, these trophies reflect the care, creativity and innovation behind each winning project.
More details coming soon.
2025 Trophies
In 2025, we sought out a local Victorian artist and commissioned the creation of the inaugural “Sun Trophy” - one of which was presented to each MAVlab Innovation Award winner at the Award Celebration in October 2025. Djaara (Dja Dja Wurrung) artist Cassie Leatham of Wild Blak Arts handcrafted the 2025 Sun Trophies. The woven suns were created after Cassie harvested and dyed native Indigenous grasses, weaving over many weeks in a variety of styles.
► More information
Cassie is a multi-disciplinary Indigenous artist working in weaving, fashion and jewellry design, painting, ceramics, bushtukka and cultural education. All of Cassie’s works have a deep connection to Country, biodiversity and traditional sustainable living of the past, to carry on in the present, for future generations to witness and learn. Cassie is generous with sharing her knowledge, “it’s about sharing important messages, and the meaningfulness of caring for Country and being sustainable in everything we do.”
All trophies include a blackwood timber base crafted by Chapman & Bailey and engraved at Melbourne City Engraving. We hope the MAVlab Innovation Award Winners will treasure these artworks both for the recognition that they represent, and for their beauty and great care and skill that went into their creation.
