MAVlab Wins National Recognition at 2025 Good Design Awards
The Municipal Association of Victoria (MAV) is celebrating dual recognition at the 2025 Australian Good Design Awards, with ‘MAVlab - Innovation for the Public Good’ honoured in the Policy Design category, and the bold MAVlab brand, created in partnership with creative agency Fireside, also receiving a prestigious Good Design Award.
One of the world’s longest-running international design award programs, the Australian Good Design Awards celebrate excellence across design disciplines and highlight projects that deliver positive impact for people, communities, and the planet. This year’s theme, “Design for Better,” underscored the critical role design plays in building a more balanced, inclusive, and sustainable world.
Raising the bar in policy design
Recognised in the Policy Design category, ‘MAVlab - Innovation for the Public Good’ was praised by the Jury as “an inspiring project that raises the bar for Policy Design. MAVlab works collaboratively with a network of 79 Victorian local governments and the broader sector to prepare for and respond to the increasingly complex challenges that communities are facing. Bravo.”
MAVlab is the innovation lab of the Municipal Association of Victoria, the peak body for local government in the state. MAVlab works with councils across Victoria to explore new approaches, design policy solutions, and build local government capability in innovation.
Celebrating brand design excellence
Alongside this recognition, the MAVlab brand, developed with leading creative agency Fireside, was also awarded for design excellence. The brand was commended for its ability to distil complex ideas into a bold and accessible identity that inspires confidence, creativity, and collaboration across the local government sector.
“Good design is not just about how something looks - it’s about how it works and what it enables,” said Bonnie Shaw, Chief Innovator in Residence at MAV and MAVlab Lead. “These awards recognise both the way we design innovation into the heart of local government, and the way we tell that story to our communities and partners. We’re incredibly proud to celebrate this success alongside our Fireside collaborators.”
National stage for Victorian innovation
The recognition comes in a record-breaking year for the Awards, with entries from across the globe representing world-class examples of design excellence. Rachel Wye, Managing Director of Good Design Australia, described the calibre of this year’s entries as “the highest on record,” praising the winners for their “transformational power to create a better and more sustainable future.”
Award winners will be officially celebrated at the 2025 Good Design Awards Ceremony, held at the International Convention Centre Sydney on Friday 17 October, where MAVlab and Fireside will receive their Good Design Tick Trophies alongside innovators from across the world.
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MAV Communications: comms@mav.asn.au
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About MAVlab
MAVlab is the innovation hub of the Municipal Association of Victoria. Working with 79 councils across the state, MAVlab leads collaborative projects and experiments that strengthen community resilience, enable councils to adapt to complex challenges, and design future-fit approaches to local government.
About MAV
The MAV is a membership association and the legislated peak body for local government in Victoria. We are a driving and influential force behind a strong and strategically positioned local government sector.
We offer diverse business services to our council members including specialist policy and advocacy, governance and legislative advice, sector development, insurance and procurement services.
The success of the MAV stems from its people and we pride ourselves on having a quality team of staff and consultants to ensure our members’ needs are met.
About Fireside
Fireside is an independent creative agency specialising in brand strategy, design, and storytelling. Working across industries and sectors, Fireside partners with organisations to build brands that spark connection, clarity, and impact.
About the Australian Good Design Awards
The Australian Good Design Awards is the nation’s oldest and most prestigious international design accolade, with a proud history dating back to 1958. Each year, projects are evaluated by more than 80 international jurors against the core criteria of Good Design, Design Innovation, and Design Impact.