A number of WSROC councils picked up top gongs at Western Sydney's premier community sector awards in January. 

An initiative of the Western Sydney Community Forum, the ZEST Awards are an annual celebration of the innovation and creativity of those who work to strengthen Western Sydney communities.

Council-run projects recognised at the awards include:

Barefoot Beats, Penrith

Winner: Award for Outstanding Project Promoting Social Cohesion and Community Harmony

Barefoot beats was a dance-based project produced by Penrith City Council for students of Aboriginal, African and Pacific heritage at Colyton Trade High School that supported cross-cultural awareness, creative collaborations and acceptance.

Home Country, Blacktown

Winner: Out of the Box

Staged in a multi-level car park in Blacktown, Home Country is a theatrical triptych that explores place, identity, and what it means to be home.

2168 Children’s Parliament, Liverpool

Highly commended: Out of the Box

An Australian first program aimed at engaging local students in political issues. The Children’s Parliament held quarterly meetings at the Liverpool City Council chambers to discuss issues important to the city’s youth.

WSROC President Cr Stephen Bali congratulated all award recipients and nominees at the event.

“The community sector plays a vital role in supporting Western Sydney residents. From critical frontline services to opportunities for people to express themselves creatively, these programs are ultimately contributing to a better society.

"Without these programs, and the people who run them, Western Sydney would not be what it is today.

“I am very proud to see council-run programs among those recognised, and I know that there are many other projects which have received local government support in one way or another,” said Cr Bali.

2018 ZEST AWARD WINNERS BY CATEGORY

Exceptional Community Business Partnership 

Winner                                    4Elements Music Project

Exceptional Community Partnership across a Region   

Winner                                   The Make Healthy Normal (MHN) campaign
Highly Commended               The Greater Western Sydney School Holiday Fun Day

Exceptional Community Partnership in a Local Government Area   

Winner                                   The Village Café
Highly Commended               MENtors

Exceptional Project in a Not for Profit Organisation

Winner                                   The Safer Relationships Project
Highly Commended               The Emergency Housing Assistance initiative

Exceptional Social Enterprise in Greater Western Sydney

Winner                                   Pepper’s Place
Highly Commended              Catalysr

Hall of Fame                          Stephanie Oatley

Out of the Box

Winner                                   Home Country
Highly Commended               The 2168 Children’s Parliament

Outstanding Community Leader in a Paid Capacity

Winner                                   Pat Hall
Highly Commended               Judith Hawkes

Outstanding Community Leader in a Volunteer Capacity     

Winner                                   Carole Anne Priest
Highly Commended               Trevor Oldfield

Outstanding Community Leader in a Volunteer Capacity

Winner                                     Michele Ellery

Outstanding Project promoting Social Cohesion and Community Harmony

Winner                                   Barefoot Beats
Highly Commended               Together in Willmot

Outstanding Project working with Aboriginal Communities

Winner                                    Aboriginal themed vest for Rooby Roo

Outstanding Voluntary Group/Organisation

Winner                                   Blacktown Community Hub
Highly Commended               Nepean Food Services

Outstanding Youth Leader  

Winner                                      Lisa Lewis
Winner                                      Lilly Lyons

Outstanding Youth Led Project

Winner                                    Discovery!
Highly Commended                Sydney Pacifica Youth Leadership Group

Western Sydney University Unsung Heroes
Winner                                     Amy Briggs