Awards
The importance of main streets to the nation’s economy, and social and environmental landscape, cannot be underestimated.
Behind every one of these streets are committed businesses, volunteers, committee and community members, centre managers and Councils who respond to constant challenges and ensure main streets thrive, through their hard work, dedication and initiative.
Launched over 20 years ago, the Mainstreet Australia Awards recognise and celebrate the achievements of the people, programs and organisations that ensure the ongoing success and survival of our main streets.
Held in conjunction with Main Streets of Australia Week this year, we are looking forward to putting a spotlight on the innovative ideas, hard work and perserverence that ensures the development and continuity of these local precincts.
Key Dates:
- Monday, Feb 6, 2023 – entries open
- Sunday, March 26, 2023 – entries close
- Monday, April 17, 2023 – 3 x finalists per category announced
- Friday, May 19, 2023 – Awards gala, held during Main Streets of Australia Week at the Greek Centre for Contemporary Culture in Lonsdale St, Melbourne City. Tickets are on sale now – head here to book your ticket!
2023 Awards categories:
- Best main street place activation, event or initiative – council working with Trader Association, traders, community group etc – activity cost under 100k
- Best main street place activation, event or initiative – council working with Trader Association, traders, community group etc – activity cost over 100k
- Best main street place activation, event or initiative – business/trader association with a special levy – activity cost under 100k
- Best main street place activation, event or initiative – for unfunded organisations/associations
- Best main street place activation, event or initiative – supplier/consultant category
- Best traditional/digital marketing – Council/Government
- Best traditional/digital marketing – non-Council/Govt organisations ie. associations, chambers, NFPs
- Best main street streetscape and design
- Best regional main street or town centre
- Most sustainable main street or town centre
- Best management committee
- Main Street Champion award
Winners of each category receives a Mainstreet Australia Awards trophy and certificate.
About the 2023 judges:
Jack Amies: Jack is the Founder of award-winning marketing and placemaking firm The Place Agency, which delivers retail marketing, communications, economic development programs and placemaking initiatives for commercial precincts across the country. Beyond leading the TPA team, Jack also provides strategic advice to Government organisations, delivering large-scale development projects and major infrastructure works.
Angela Simons: Angela leads the Renew Australia team to work with Mainstreets, Councils, and Property Representatives to activate vacant space and bring life back to otherwise underutilized spaces. Through stakeholder engagement, facilitation, and planning, Angela and the Renew team demonstrate the future use of ‘meanwhile’ spaces providing opportunities for creative enterprises to capacity build and experiment in a visible location.
Stu Speirs: Stu Speirs is the founder and director of event evaluation and strategy firm Silver Lining Strategy. Specialising in place-based events that showcase local culture, Stu works with communities to uncover their points of difference and leverage them to drive investment.
Awards Winners & Finalists 2021:
Main Street Public Space and Streetscape Design Award
WINNER: Brimbank City Council (Hampshire Road Civic Green project)
Maroondah City Council (Ringwood East Place Activation Project)
City of Port Phillip (Live, Love Local – Temporary Play Spaces and multi-use platforms)
Digital and/or Traditional Marketing Award for Promotion of a Program Initiative, Activity or Event
WINNER: Banyule City Council (Rediscover Local Campaign)
Wellington Shire Council (The Middle of Everywhere)
Footscray Traders Association (#LoveFootscray)
Outstanding Management Committee / Business Association / Trader Group Award
WINNER: Ashburton Shopping Centre Traders Association
West Vic Business
YMP Mainstreet
Outstanding Contribution to a Main Street – Mainstreet Champion
WINNER: Marty Thomas (nominated by South Gippsland Shire Council)
About Sight
Program Initiative, Activity or Event Award: With a budget under $50,000 (no special rate)
JOINT WINNER: Kensington Business Association (March Madness!)
JOINT WINNER: West Vic Business (The Business Reimagined Series)
Eastern Dandenong Ranges Assoc. Inc (Get your Fill in the Hills!)
Program Initiative, Activity or Event Award: With a budget over $50,000 (no special rate)
WINNER: Clunes Neighbourhood House (Boom Clunes)
Mirboo Country Development Inc (Reinvigorate Ridgeway)
Glen Waverley Traders Association (supported by the City of Monash) (Lighting up Kingsway Precinct)
Program Initiative, Activity or Event Award: With a budget under $100k (with a special rate)
WINNER: St Albans Business Association Group Inc (St Albans Digital Lunar Festival 2021)
Kew Junction Business Association (Kew Progressive Dinner)
Mildura City Heart (The UP Program)
Council Program Initiative, Activity or Event Award: With a budget under $100,000
WINNER: Brisbane City Council (BNE Local and Liveable)
City of Stonnington (Prahran Square)
City of Port Phillip (Dessert First)
Council Program Initiative, Activity or Event Award: With a budget over $100,000
WINNER: Wyndham City Council (MADE on Watton)
City of Stonnington (Outdoor Dining Program)
City of Greater Geelong (Little Malop Central)
Best Regional Main Street
WINNER: Business Mount Alexander
West Vic Business
Best COVID-19 Response Initiative in a Main Street
WINNER: Western Melbourne Tourism Inc (Westside Crawls)
Camberwell Centre Association (We’ve Still got it All)
City People Pty. Ltd. (Wanna Dance?)