Celebrating Excellence: the 2024 SMCT Awards
Each year, Southern Metropolitan Cemeteries Trust (SMCT) holds an Awards night, recognising outstanding achievements across the organisation. This annual tradition shines a light on team members who embody SMCT’s core capabilities and values and brings us together to celebrate our people.
Nominations are open for eight awards. Six are based on our SMCT Capabilities of Agility, Building Talent, Customer Connectivity, Innovation and Continuous Improvement, Inspiring Others, and Work Well Live Well. An additional CEO Award focuses on a key element of what makes SMCT uniquely SMCT, and the Chair Award highlights a team member who exemplifies our values.
Capability Awards
Work Well, Live Well Award: Vicki Ferguson, Senior Accounts Receivable Officer and Maria Mitsiou, Senior Payroll Officer
The Work Well, Live Well motto is more than just words at SMCT – it’s a way of life and approach to work that is embodied by people like Vicki Ferguson and Maria Mitsiou. Their joint efforts in promoting health, safety and wellbeing have had a profound impact on the daily operations and culture at SMCT.
They prove that it’s the small things that matter – whether that means acting as a reliable confidante for their colleagues or promoting wellbeing with their daily walking group. Their walking group is a cherished opportunity to explore the beautiful grounds of Springvale Botanic Cemetery while taking a break from work to refresh their minds and build up relationships in their team.
Inspiring Others Award: David Jepson, Gravedigger
David Jepson is proof that leadership and inspiration can come from any role within an organisation. Anyone can inspire their team members with a vision for outstanding performance, and uplifting and motivational approach.
David has driven great positive change in his team over the past year. With strong leadership and a growth mindset, he has led a cultural shift in his team and encouraged a more dynamic and responsive style of work. The challenge to traditional ways of working has ripple effects across the organisation.
Customer Connectivity Award: Cleo Morgan, Business Development Lead
In an organisation where customer needs are paramount, Award recipient Cleo Morgan stands out for her dedication to customer service.
As Business Development Lead, Cleo, goes above and beyond to ensure our customers are supported during their most difficult times. Cleo’s relationships with customers are characterised by her helpful and caring approach – she excels at connecting customers with the right information and resources, making a significant difference in their experience with SMCT.
Agility Award: Scott Powell, Operations Leader
The ability to embrace change and focus on what’s possible is key to our operations at SMCT, and Scott Powell exemplifies this capability.
From starting in the Horticulture team as a team member and progressing to an Operations Leader role in Burials, Scott Powell has developed a wide range of skills and shared his experience with new team members.
As a leader, Scott has encouraged flexibility between the Horticulture and Burial teams through task sharing and team swaps. This initiative has improved teams’ ability to handle unexpected absences or periods of high demand.
Building Talent Award: Chris Hewitt, Operations Leader
Chris Hewitt, this year’s Building Talent Award recipient, embraces mentorship and professional development to build the talent of those around him. As Operations Leader, he has acted as a mentor to countless team members, students, and apprentices.
Chris and his small team manage over 17,000 trees across our sites, but he still manages to go out of his way to nurture the next generation of qualified arborists. His dedication has led to SMCT’s national recognition as an industry leader in arborist education and tree practices.
Innovation and Continuous Improvement Award: Juris Drezins, Design Team Manager
Innovation and Continuous Improvement drive us forward at SMCT. There is opportunity for change, big or small, across all our work. We aim to celebrate creative solutions that improve our workplace, and our services for customers and the community.
Award recipient Juris Drezins embraces this quality in his role every day. As the Design Team Manager, his work on our land use master plans will shape SMCT’s strategic future. His innovative approach to this work has developed plans that will guide us to efficient and cost-effective decisions, helping us meet the future needs of our community and build uplifting quality spaces.
Chair’s Award: Leah Slee, Senior Partnerships and Programs Lead
The Chair’s Award is based on our five core values of Passion, Respect, Integrity, Dedication, and Empathy.
Award recipient Leah Slee believes our values are really core of the work we do at SMCT. “Given the sensitive nature of our work, it is even more important that we uphold them.”
In her role, Leah is the conduit that connects like-minded organisations, grief experts, and our community members. Her delicate handling of these relationships has a significant impact for our customers.
“In our work, we are often supporting families on their most difficult days. It is so important that we approach our roles with a sense of empathy, not only for the families that we serve, but also for our colleagues who are working to support these families.”
CEO Award: Matt Clear, Executive Manager - Communications and Engagement
This year’s CEO award, ‘Safe Space,’ celebrates those who foster a sense of safety and belonging within SMCT.
“Creating a safe place and safe space is the best way to ensure people are comfortable to be themselves, to express themselves, and their opinions,” says Matt.
Matt’s award recognises his kind, compassionate, strong and progressive leadership style. He consistently advocates for his team members and builds an environment of safety and belonging through openness, honesty, vulnerability, and authenticity.
“I am proud of the fact that we can all work collectively to lighten the load for people that are going through difficult times. It’s a privilege and honour to work with colleagues across SMCT that share the same sense of purpose.”
SMCT is proud of our exceptional team members who embrace our organisation’s values and contribute to supporting the community during their most challenging times.