ACEL Victoria Awards 2025: A Celebration of Leadership Across Sectors
On Thursday 7 August 2025, the ACEL Victoria Branch hosted our annual Awards Ceremony at Wesley College. The event brought together educational leaders from across the Catholic, independent, and government sectors, and tertiary education, in a powerful celebration of leadership, collaboration, and impact.
Guests and award recipients gathering to acknowledge colleagues whose contributions continue to shape the future of education in Victoria and beyond.
Several of the Victorian National Award Winners and New Voice Scholars (to be formally recognised later this month at the National ACEL Conference in Sydney) joined us on the night, including the ACEL Gold Medal Award recipient Emeritus Professor Helen Cahill, and the Nganakarrawa Award winner, Colin Dobson.
ACEL VIC Awards presented on the night:
The Debbie Locco Leadership Award, presented to Pip Cleaves, celebrating her passion and commitment to empowering current and future leaders.
The Brian Caldwell Research Award, awarded to Professor Glenn Savage, for his influential contributions to educational leadership research.
The President’s Award - Fazal Rizvi, recognising his outstanding service and leadership.
The Media Award, presented to Adriano Di Prato and Phil Cummins, acknowledging their role in raising public awareness and debate on key educational issues.
Fellowship Awards, celebrating the achievements of Donnie Adams, Steve Cook, Colin Dobson, Bernadette Donnelly, Kerry Elliott, Ellen Heyting, and Aisha Kristiansen.
The Hedley Beare Educator of the Year Award, presented to Richard Owens for his exceptional leadership and enduring contribution to education.
Each award reflected ACEL’s commitment to recognising those who inspire, support, and connect leaders in learning, and the profound impact of these inspiring educational leadership across the sectors.
Congratulations to all 2025 ACEL VIC award recipients. Their contributions exemplify the values of ACEL and remind us of the transformative power of leadership in education.
Hayley Dureau
ACEL Victoria Branch Executive Member