Art studio and animal hospital recognised at 2024 Melbourne Awards

Blender Studios, an urban and fine art studio based in West Melbourne, and the Lort Smith Animal Hospital in North Melbourne, were among the recipients of this year’s Melbourne Awards, held on November 9.

The annual event honours individuals and organisations that have made outstanding contributions to the city’s growth and culture, and it also includes the prestigious Melburnian of the Year and Young Melburnian of the Year awards.

The awards recognise achievements across eight key areas that are vital to Melbourne’s evolution, in the categories of Aboriginal Melbourne (ganbu guljin), Access and Inclusion, City Design, Arts and Events, Community, Knowledge and Innovation, LGBTIQA+, and Sustainability.

Blender Studios received the Arts and Events award for its innovative approach in merging street and fine art to enhance the city's urban art landscape.

“It's really humbling to me, especially with these amazing scientists and people who have changed people's worlds,” Blender director Adrian Doyle said.

“We just make beautiful art and try to make the world a better place.” 

Established in 2001, Blender Studios is home to more than 24 resident artists. 

It serves as a creative hub not only for street and fine artists, but also as the base for Melbourne Street Tours, the Dark Horse Experiment, The Blender Loft, and Blender Creatives.

“We deal a lot with young people,” Mr Doyle said. “We hope to make the artists have a platform to express themselves and become professionals.”

Lort Smith Animal Hospital was presented with the Community Award in recognition of its dedication to compassionate pet care, particularly its efforts to improve access for individuals facing financial difficulties, homelessness, or domestic violence.

“We're very fortunate to be a part of a city like Melbourne, but more support is desperately needed for those who can't speak up for themselves,” Lort Smith CEO Frances Mirabelli said. 

“I’d like to thank the City of Melbourne for this honour, and all our staff, our volunteers and supporters for their commitment,” she said. “Together we'll make continue to make a real difference to the lives of animals and to people that care for them.”

The Melbourne Awards also honoured Rebecca Scott OAM, a co-founder of Melbourne-based social enterprise STREAT, as Melburnian of the Year, for her exceptional leadership in helping young people in Melbourne secure meaningful jobs and housing, while also tackling climate-related challenges.

The not-for-profit has helped more than 500 young people secure employment in the hospitality and horticulture sectors.

STREAT has also seen 1,500 others benefit from its outreach initiatives, and gain new skills through short courses and practical training programs.

“I’m so humbled and chuffed to receive this award, especially as a scruffy kid who grew up in the countryside of New South Wales,” Ms Scott said.

“There’s so much unfinished business here, and that’s where I love to put on my metaphorical gumboots and get out into the mud. I want us all to see we’ve got this one precious little life where we get the opportunity to co-create this city as our home,” she said.

“Together, we can make Melbourne kinder, fairer and greener.” 

The Young Melburnian of the Year award was presented to Alex Dekker, the 24-year-old founder of local not-for-profit Alex Makes Meals, in recognition of his innovative work addressing food insecurity across Melbourne.

Alex Makes Meals evolved from a one-man mission in 2020 to now providing more than 3,000 nutritious meals each week to vulnerable individuals and families across the city.

“I am deeply honoured to receive this recognition,” Mr Dekker said. “Alex Makes Meals is about so much more than just providing food; it’s about fostering connections and helping people find stability through community support.”

“Since embarking on this journey, I’ve been continually inspired by those who have transformed my small contribution into a meaningful resource for Melbourne’s most vulnerable,” he said.

“This award reflects the tireless dedication of our volunteers and supporters, who have made this mission possible every step of the way." 

Other winners included The Beruk Exhibition, which received the Aboriginal Melbourne – ganbu guljin award, while Travellers Aid Australia was given the award for Access and Inclusion.

Koorie Heritage Trust Stage II by Lyons, Greenaway Architects and Architecture Associates won the City Design category, with Orygen picking up the Knowledge and Innovation award, Queer Town receiving the LGBTIQA+ accolade, and Urban Tree Recovery winning in Sustainability. •