We’re delighted to announce that the Victoria Body Corporate Management team has been selected as a finalist in three categories at the 2023 Strata Community Association Victoria Pillar Awards for Excellence.
It’s a huge achievement, with nominations for the Strata Community Management Large Business Award, Strata Community Manager Rising Star Award, and the Environmental, Social & Community Impact Award.
The SCA awards recognise and reward both businesses and individuals who make a “significant contribution to the strata industry and community”.
A team with passion for the sector
The nomination trifecta reflects the enormous amount of passion and expertise the team has invested in its customers, portfolios and operating models.
Victoria Body Corporate Services (VBCS) State Manager Lorraine Murray points to a willingness to support innovation and change as drivers of the team’s success.
“Change can be difficult, but progress is impossible without change,” she says.
“That’s why implementation and adoption of key change within our organisation has been so important, along with a willingness to embrace an innovative approach to community management.”
The VBCS team approach encourages every member to contribute to progress.
“Our strength comes from our collaborative approach. We always share our good news stories and actively recognise each other for achievements and great support.”
Lorraine is particularly proud of how her team embraced the transformative operating model for community management which formed the foundation of the VBCS award submission.
Now working with an intelligent software system, ‘no disruption’ service model and specialist team restructure, the team is experiencing unprecedented levels of consistency across their business processes.
A rising star in the Victorian strata sector
Emma Blood, Community Manager at VBCS for the last three years, is delighted with her nomination for the Rising Star Award.
She has progressed from Assistant Community Manager to Team Leader Assistant Community Manager, then onto Low Density Community Manager, where she took responsibility for her own portfolio of properties.
Now, as Community Manager, she manages a medium density portfolio, and regularly receives glowing reviews from clients about her service excellence.
“With new challenges every day, I am constantly learning from my experiences,” she says.
“It’s so rewarding to resolve matters that arise from my portfolio.
“I believe I’ve always been a people person, so engaging with clients to attain positive results comes naturally to me. My eagerness to learn from experience and solve issues helps me resolve matters quickly and find the best solutions for my clients.”
Taking an innovative approach to sustainability
VBCS is collaborating with the Smarter Communities Sustainability Department to reduce the ‘solar gap’ between apartment residents and homeowners in the state. The program is the basis for the team’s nomination in the Environmental, Social & Community Impact Award category.
The Victorian team offers detailed solar and sustainability assessments for Owners Corporations, with recommendations on the best tailored solution for their buildings.
They also offer Solar as a Service, which removes upfront cost, ongoing maintenance and services costs for Owners Corporations, while offering a performance guarantee.
Dan Thompson, National Manager of Sustainability, highlights the fresh, experimental nature of the project.
“We’re really excited! As a new department, trying new things, it’s very satisfying to be recognised for that.”
He believes it’s the sheer scale and ambition of the program that sets it apart.
“The more work we do, the pipeline of opportunities is filling and we’re pushing stuff through. It’s good to have acknowledgement that what we’re doing is the way forward.”
Summing up, Lorraine Murray says: “It’s important to recognise those who are prepared to make a difference to the strata industry. It’s an honour to be selected as a finalist, which is an immense achievement in itself, and an accolade for the hard work our team has put into our journey over the last year.”
The SCA (Vic) Awards 2023 will be presented at a Gala Dinner on Friday 27 October, held at Leonda By The Yarra, 2 Wallen Rd, Hawthorn, 6pm-11pm.
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