Community Services Industry Award winners announced

A support organisation for torture and trauma victims, a program promoting kidney health and one of Western Australia's biggest volunteer task forces are among the worthy winners of this year's Community Services Industry Awards.

The eight winning not-for-profit programs and services were announced last night at an awards ceremony hosted by Community Services Minister Robyn McSweeney. Each received a $5,000 Lotterywest grant.

Mrs McSweeney said she was proud and delighted to see so many outstanding WA organisations honoured.

"Volunteer groups and not-for-profit organisations like these are the glue that holds our community together," the Minister said.

The winners are:

Category 1 - Working creatively to make a difference (small group/organisation with a program or service budget of less than $50,000 per annum)

Students Without Borders Website (Murdoch)

Category 2 - Working creatively to make a difference (large group/organisation with a program or service budget of more than $50,000)

Association for Services to Torture and Trauma Survivors (ASeTTS) (Perth)

Category 3 - Strengthening communities

Walpole Telecentre (Walpole)

Category 4 - Strengthening volunteering

Volunteer Task Force (Mt Hawthorn)

Category 5 - Strengthening the community services industry

The judges selected no finalists for this category.

Category 6 - Business and community partnerships

Vincentcare Scrap to Gold (Woodbridge/Midland)

Category 7 - Strengthening rural and remote communities

Royal Life Saving Society WA - Remote Aboriginal Swimming Pools Project (Floreat)

Category 8 - Organisational excellence

Kidney Health Australia (Perth)

Category 9 - Outstanding commitment by an individual

Gerry Georgatos, General Manager Murdoch University Guild of Students (Mt Lawley/ Murdoch)

The winner of Category 9 will nominate a community organisation to receive the $5,000 grant.