Best of the West got off to a cracking start, with our first winner announced on Sunday night!
Best of the West is a celebration of Western Australia’s difference makers. In other words, those people and organisations who are using their time, talent and treasure to make a difference in their communities.
And we want to extend our heartfelt congratulations to Proudly Productive, who has just been named Best of the West and will receive $5,000 to continue their good work!
Who is Proudly Productive?
Proudly Productive is a disability services organisation that supports young adults with intellectual disabilities, by providing them opportunities for meaningful social and economic participation and active inclusion at all levels of community.
Out of their two centres in O’Connor and Bunbury, Proudly Productive offers engaging and skill-appropriate programs designed to help participants pursue their goals, improve their social wellbeing, develop long-term friendships and achieve greater independence.
They do this by offering training in areas like music, sewing, woodworking, felting and crafting. But the real key is the focus on helping participants strengthen their friendships, for example by encouraging those with similar interests to book the same days each week.
‘When they leave school, they often lose a lot of their community. So I wanted to create a space where they come back to do some work, but really keep their friendships alive’, said Proudly Productive Founder and Director Colleen Armstrong.
Armstrong says the $5,000 will provide the funds necessary to purchase a new wood engraving machine for their workshop. Items made in their workshops are sold in the gift store, with proceeds being funnelled back into the organisation to help with future goals.
A crowded field
With so many people doing so many wonderful things in Western Australia, it’s no surprise that we received a boatload of nominations in August. While it wasn’t easy to pass up so many other deserving individuals and organisations, it was nominations like this that gave Proudly Productive the edge:
‘Thanks to Colleen's insight and passion, many young adults have a place to socialise, and build the skills and confidence to positively contribute to society. She goes beyond the role of director to assist participants in all aspects of their lives, and without her work many young adults would be in tougher situations. Colleen is constantly using her own personal savings to develop Proudly Productive, so she deserves a grant to assist in creating the future special needs children deserve.’
So let’s give a huge shoutout not only to Proudly Productive, but also to all of the other deserving individuals and organisations who will continue to remain eligible to be named Best of the West throughout the duration of the campaign.
Help us choose the next Best of the West!
Do you know someone as deserving as Proudly Productive? Then we want to hear from you!
Maybe it’s the:
- Parent who hosts a children’s book club at the local library.
- Folks who work tirelessly at the local food bank.
- Group of children planting trees for a sustainable future.
- Individual who is suffering from an illness, but still takes time to raise awareness and help others in a similar situation.
Whoever it is, you can nominate them by clicking the button below. Nominate as many individuals, organisations or community groups that you want. Just be sure to explain what makes them so special and why they deserve this award.
How to watch the Best of the West
We’ll announce the winners and tell their story on 9News at 6pm during the Sunday bulletin, every month from now until January. We’ll also feature them right here on this blog!
The next winner will be announced on Sunday 25 September.
What: Best of the West, Sponsored by The Agency and 9News
Where: 9News
When: Every 4th Sunday during 9News at 6pm
Good luck to all our difference-makers out there. You’re all the Best of the West in our eyes!
Nominate your Best of the West!