Congratulations to all individuals and services who were nominated for the 2015 CaddyShack Awards.

We were overwhelmed by the response, and the number of individuals, services and projects dedicated to improving the sexual health and well-being of individuals and communities across the Illawarra and Shoalhaven! To all who were nominated, we thank you for the great work you are doing and your ongoing interest in the arena of sexual health.

It is with great pleasure the HIV and Related Programs (HARP) Unit, in partnership with Healthy Cities Illawarra and the Illawarra and Shoalhaven Sexual Health Service announce the winners of this year’s CaddyShack Awards!

 The winners for each category are…

• Outstanding achievement – Individual Award Winner: Clementina Velasco, Headspace Wollongong

The CaddyShack Awards judging panel were impressed by Clem’s ongoing commitment to incorporating sexual health in to a number of Headspace’s programs for young people. This includes the delivery of education sessions at the University of Wollongong, hosting various GLBTQ focused training and also making the Headspace Youth Reference Group available to judge sexual health competitions and to provide feedback around resource creation. Love your work Clem!

• Outstanding achievement – Service Award Winner: Adolescent Mental Health Inpatient Unit

From the outset, the Unit was keen to participate in the Connie Condom Dress Expression of Interest for Youth Week 2015. After winning the EOI, they encouraged and generate a sharing of ideas and creativity with the young people accessing the service at the time. Utilising the informal set up of the art project they developed an awareness of sexual safety and sexual health awareness and created open discussion around sexual relationships. In this space young people were able to learn and engage in discussion around sexual health in a non-intrusive but therapeutic way. The outcome was that the young people gained confidence in themselves through the completion of a successful activity and developed skills in team work, social interaction and communication. We look forward to seeing more of their great work!

• Outstanding achievement – Project Award Co-Winner: Health and Wellbeing Initiative, Vincentia High School Support Unit

The Health and Wellbeing Initiative at Vincentia High School Support Unit is now running in its second year.  The project – a partnership between 11 services, was designed specifically to meet the different needs their students and has been put together by staff who spend countless hours in up-skilling themselves, sometimes outside of their working day. Through small group-based learning students participated in activities focused on topics such as healthy relationships, consent and sexually transmitted infections. Staff have reported positive feedback from students and families alike!

• Outstanding achievement – Project Award Co-Winner: Get your hands ON it!, House With No Steps

House With No Steps is an organisation who have been outstanding in promoting positive sexual health messages among the people they work with. Their most recent initiative is the “Get your hands ON it” project which is a multi-faceted health promotion project which includes condom dispensers being set-up in their service, the availability of sexual health information and resources, support for staff to encourage conversations around sexual health, safety and wellbeing and attend training workshops and a new laptop which provides access to reputable sexual health information sources. The laptop especially has been a real hit and provides all the people at the service an opportunity to explore positive sexual health and a safe an provide space. Great work!

• Young Person Encouragement Award Winner: Jessica Rees, Illawarra Aboriginal Medical Service

The Judging Panel were delighted to see Jessica nominated for the award. Jessica is a real role model for young people in the Illawarra. In her work she goes above and beyond to champion the message of positive sexual health. For World AIDS Day on Dec 1 and for Indigenous people living with HIV/AIDS, Jessica has organised a motorbike ride around Lake Illawarra. The event will also include a Welcome to Country, smoking ceremony, an Aboriginal HIV positive speaker and breakfast and lunch will also be provided. Looking forward to the event!

Thanks to our judging panel Kristel Modderman (HARP), Smriti Jaiswal from Healthy Cities Illawarra, Damian Castles the Youth Health Homelessness Coordinator ISLHD and last year’s Caddyshack award winner Anthony Scerri from Multicultural Communities Council Illawarra.

Congratulations again to all winners, and nominees. We feel honoured to be able to showcase your work, and celebrate your achievements..