Collective Leisure Secures National Award for Championing Social Impact
Collective Leisure CEO, David Burns, with the Award
Collective Leisure - a certified social enterprise renowned for its commitment to societal well-being – has secured the 2023 Parks and Leisure Australia ‘Community-Based Initiative of the Year’ award in recognition of their dedication to community support.
The award, sponsored by KOMPAN Global, was presented at the National Awards of Excellence hosted in October 2023 at Adelaide Oval.
Earlier in the same year, Collective Leisure had already solidified its exceptional contributions by securing the NSW/ACT Community-Based Initiative of the Year Award 2023, preceding their national recognition.
These annual awards recognise the outstanding initiatives and innovative efforts of 'the people behind the places,' which promote the good use of leisure time for numerous social, environmental, and economic benefits to the community and celebrates those who contribute to these healthy and inclusive spaces.
Collective Leisure Chief Executive David Burns shared “It’s a proud moment to receive national recognition from the industry for our efforts supporting communities. Social enterprises trade like any other business but exist to make the world a better place.”
At the core of Collective Leisure's ethos lies a commitment to reducing health inequity within communities, encapsulated in their purpose statement of “enabling well-being without boundaries.”
Distinguished from conventional for-profit enterprises focused on maximising shareholder profits, social enterprises like Collective Leisure prioritise generating positive social, cultural, and environmental impact while ensuring financial sustainability. Their overarching objective is to create substantial social value, address pivotal issues, and foster progressive societal changes.
Since its establishment in September 2019, Collective Leisure has exhibited a consistent expansion of its influence, notably focusing on the Western Sydney region in New South Wales. The organisation leads WSYD Moving - a systems change initiative designed to combat physical inactivity and social inequalities prevalent in Western Sydney.
Functioning as a Work Integration Social Enterprise (WISE), Collective Leisure actively provides meaningful employment opportunities within the sports and leisure industry to individuals from refugee backgrounds.
To facilitate the necessary systemic change, Collective Leisure collaborates on initiatives for hardly reached and underserved communities, empowering them to thrive. This includes, but is not limited to, programs catering to individuals with disability, seniors, refugees and migrants, low socio-economic groups, and those dealing with mental illness.
For further information, visit: www.collectiveleisure.com.au/ or www.wsydmoving.com.au/.
As featured in the Australasian Leisure Management online magazine on 5 December 2023 here