Peter Roberts & Ashley Rosshandler

For the first time in its twenty eight year history, two community heroes have shared the 2008 Annual Tattersall’s Award for Enterprise and Achievement. They were chosen from the twelve monthly winners who were the finalists in this year’s award.

The judges declared that it was impossible to split the work of Peter Roberts, a Music Thanatologist who works in and around the Geelong districts, and Ashley Rosshandler, the founder of Karma Currency. Read the full story.

Garry Prigg

For over 20 years Garry Prigg has guided with vision, dedication and great personal sacrifice the direction and survival of the Cerebral Palsy Education Centre. The facility is now an internationally renowned centre, taking much of its Intellectual Property and Systems to the world. Garry has sacrificed his own successful business many times simply dedicating himself for long periods exclusively to the centre, with extraordinary results for the centre's clients. Read the full story.

Alison Byrne

Wallan mum, Alison Byrne, is Tattersall’s Annual Enterprise and Achievement Award winner. Alison received $75,000 for Heartkids and a personal prize of $15,000. She was chosen from 12 monthly winners of the Tattersall’s Award for Enterprise and Achievement.
16 years ago, Alison’s son Ben was born with congenital heart disease, still the number 1 killer for children in Australia, and Alison’s mission with ‘Heartkids’ began. Alison was introduced to Heartkids Victoria – a support group made up of a group of parents whose children had heart problems. Alison realised the group’s significance for parents like her, as there were no support services for the families of children with congenital heart conditions. Over 2,000 (1 in every 100) babies in Australia are born each year with heart disease.
August 2006 will see the launch of Heartkids Australia, a national body that is the fruition of a long cherished dream for Alison. “We will have representatives in each state to ensure resources are not duplicated but instead, there is an effective use of national funds. I believe every child with a heart condition should benefit from the advances in medical research, superior facilities and a diverse and consistent support program regardless of whether they are born on the tip of the Northern Territory or in Melbourne,” she said.

Tony McDonald

Downs Syndrome Association founding member, Tony McDonald, is Tattersall’s 25th Annual Enterprise and Achievement Award winner. Tony received $75,000 for the Downs Syndrome Association of Victoria (DSAV) and a personal prize of $15,000. She was chosen from 12 monthly winners at the 25th anniversary celebration of the Tattersall’s Award for Enterprise and Achievement at the Park Hyatt in Melbourne on July 28.
A Greensborough resident, Tony received the April 2005 Tattersall’s Monthly Award for Enterprise and Achievement for her volunteer work with Victorian families with Downs Syndrome children over the last thirty years. For many years Tony was the person who visited parents in hospital when a baby with Downs Syndrome was born, despite the fact that she doesn’t drive, so she must utilise public transport or her ever-patient husband! Many families remember her gifts of hand knitted baby jackets.
Tony is involved with many committees and reference groups in the area of disability, both on behalf of the DSAV and in her own right. She addresses a variety of organisations and has regular requests to participate in staff training programs in disability and education. Tony McDonald’s ultimate goal is for those with Downs Syndrome to be, “accepted, included, involved and to participate in community life as independently, confidently, competently and joyously as possible."

Max Walker

Pastor Max Walker, of the Cornerstone Contact Centre Dandenong, is the winner of the 2004 Tattersall's Annual Enterprise and Achievement Award. The overall winner is chosen from 12 monthly winners and receives $75,000 for their chosen non-profit beneficiary and a personal prize of $15,000 in recognition of their contribution to the community.
Approximately 150 underprivileged people from the local Dandenong community regularly attend lunches provided by the Cornerstone Centre Drop in and Contact Centre. It has grown from a small luncheon service to an organisation that acts as a vital link for those most needy and disadvantaged since it was formally incorporated under the leadership and management of Pastor Walker in 1994.
In Tattersall's Centenary Year, two past monthly winners were also recognised for their longstanding contribution to the community with a George Adams 2004 Centenary Award. Les Twentyman (Open Family Australia) and Susan Barton, (Lighthouse Foundation) are to receive $10,000 each for their respective charities and $5,000 personally.

Tehree Gordon

A Barwon Heads woman who opened her heart to help animals has won the 2003 Tattersall's Annual Award for Enterprise and Achievement with a reward of $90,000.
Tehree Gordon is the founder of Jirrahlinga Koala and Wildlife Sanctuary in Barwon Heads, which is home to more than 300 native animals and has rehabilitated and released countless others.
In addition, Tehree has spent countless hours caring for abused children by building their self-esteem through interaction with the animals at her sanctuary. Tehree manages all this even after being diagnosed with MS six years ago.
Tattersall’s announced the annual winner for their Enterprise and Achievement Award at the Park Hyatt in Melbourne. The overall winner was chosen from 12 monthly winners and received $75,000 for their chosen beneficiary and a personal prize of $15,000 in recognition of the contribution they have made to the community.
"The Tattersall's Award for Enterprise and Achievement is one of Tattersall's most significant community initiated programs. The awards honour those prepared to 'have a go' whether it be overcoming physical disabilities, heroic deeds or helping someone in need. All twelve monthly winners have demonstrated persistence and determination above the norm," said Tattersall's Managing Director, Duncan Fischer.

Geraldine Ellawala & Debbie Flederis

"Unsung heroes" Geraldine Ellawala and Debbie Flederis received the honour from the Governor of Victoria, Mr John Landy AC MBE, at the annual award presentation in Melbourne on Wednesday, August 28, 2002.
Geraldine and Debbie, the managers of the Western Women's Domestic Violence Support Network, shared a personal cheque of $15,000 and a cheque for $75,000 was also awarded to the Support Network.
Since it was established eight years ago, the Network has provided support to about 90 victims of domestic violence. Tattersall's Trustee William Adams said all the monthly winners had been deserving of recognition, however, the two women were outstanding nominees.
"They have been recognised for their untiring work and Tattersall's is proud to reward them for their efforts," Mr Adams said. While the pair are only paid for part-time work, they have adopted virtual full-time community roles at the Network.
Geraldine said she was grateful for the recognition that came with the monthly presentation. "This means a great deal to us. It is validation and recognition of the work we do," she said. "It shows more people are saying no to domestic violence."