You may have heard of IPAA ACT’s Spirit of Service Awards, but there’s a new category in town, and everyone can vote for the winner. 

At its core, the Spirit of Service reflects the inner drive of public servants who work tirelessly to support and uplift the community. Each year, IPAA ACT celebrates outstanding public sector initiatives – and the teams behind them – through the Spirit of Service Awards. 

With categories spanning collaboration, community engagement, breakthrough and learning, the Spirit of Service Awards were established to recognise and celebrate public sector initiatives that drive positive change for the Australian community.  

“These awards honour an exceptional public sector program, project, service, or initiative that has made a meaningful impact – shining a spotlight on the unsung heroes who work behind the scenes, yet play a vital role in delivering outcomes that matter,” said IPAA ACT CEO Kate Driver.  

“The finalists in these awards are selected through a rigorous process by a panel of judges against specific criteria.” 

This year, the awards proudly welcome a new category – the CSC People’s Choice Award. Sponsored by Commonwealth Superannuation Corporation (CSC), this award enables anyone to vote for their choice to receive the award.  

What sets this award apart is its selection process. The winner is chosen through peer voting within the public sector, allowing colleagues to celebrate each other’s achievements. This approach fosters a culture of collaboration, mutual respect, and continuous improvement – values that are at the heart of public service. 

“The CSC People’s Choice Award is a unique opportunity to recognise, celebrate and connect across the public sector. At CSC, we share IPAA’s commitment to excellence in public service and believe in the power of peer recognition to drive positive change. We’re excited to sponsor this award because it embodies our values of collaboration and community, giving public servants themselves the voice to celebrate the initiatives that truly make a difference,” said Adam Nettheim, Chief Customer Officer at CSC.  

“We invite you to vote for your favourite initiative and join us for a night of celebration at the Gala on 22 October, where we’ll honour the outstanding achievements showcased across these outstanding initiatives.” 

As we look ahead to the 2025 awards, cast your vote to help build a stronger, more collaborative public sector community. 

View the 2025 finalists here.