The Turtle Awards

'…Acknowledging leaders who stick their necks out for the common good,'

…are an annual Awards Presentation Evening. Recipients (individuals and organisations), who come from all walks of life - quiet achievers known by only a few to public figures known by millions - are acknowledged as beacons to the very best attributes and qualities of leadership . The guiding values of these people (and organisations) include being *visionary, altruistic (humanitarian), compassionate, of integrity, courageous, spiritual and act with inspiring initiative. And aren't these the values and principles we all reasonably expect from our leaders?

The Turtle Awards help in dismantling the disappointing impression that many people have (particularly our young), that leadership is about 'the survival of the fittest, the most aggressive, the wealthiest, the most powerful, the most charismatic / attractive, the most opportunistic, the most cunning, the best image, the ability to manipulate other's perspectives'.
There are leaders in every walk of life who demonstrate the best attributes of leadership* - these are the leaders we must acknowledge and promote. Their values and principles must be held high. This is the function, the goal, the mission and the passion of The Turtle Awards.

The Turtle Awards:
" provide powerfully positive role models, especially for our young,
" demonstrate and celebrate truly great leadership, and what a positive and phenomenal influence this can have on others,
" promote the achievements of those who have led in a uniting, inspired, ethical, courageous and visionary manner,
" inspire people to embrace the values of honest leadership.

Independent judges assess entries in the following categories:
" Arts, Entertainment and Media
" Business
" Charity
" Education
" Environment
" Health
" Law, Public Office and Social Justice
" Spirituality / Religion
" Sport
" Young Australian

The theme of the Awards Presentation Evening is optimistic and deeply celebratory.

Recipients of a Turtle Award come from all around Australia.

Our goal, on the Turtle Awards Presentation Evening, is to celebrate and acknowledge in a way that is candid, joyful, personally uplifting and inspiring to other existing and potential leaders, both young and mature.

We believe it is imperative that the word 'leadership' be understood to stand for something wise, decent, honest, uniting and imperative if humanity is to reach its greatest and most brilliant potential.

The eighteen independent judges assess Turtle Award nominees as follows:
" Meeting the definition of leader (key words: compassion, courage, humanitarianism, initiative, integrity, spirituality, uniting and visionary),
" Risk or risks to help, a, or the, common good (common good - the position that a value or principle or action serves to benefit and address the very dignity and respect for all life, regardless of any political, religious, monetary, status, image or any other external pressure / motive / influence. The common good seeks to create safety, care, compassion, equality, honesty, integrity, decency and an omnipotent respect for all life. A common good is the very antithesis of harm and suffering… indeed, also, common good is the very antithesis of self-centredness, dishonesty, mean spiritedness, self-adornment, arrogance, war / killing, self-importance and so on),
" Lack of ulterior motive,
" Obviously not motivated by self gain,
" Proven embracing of the value of all human life (humanitarianism),
" Measurable achievements / impact,
" Understanding of ethical and spiritual values,
" Devoid of self-aggrandizement / opportunism,
" Demonstrated ability to unite.

Group or organization in addition to the above…
" Change to workplace culture,
" Demonstration of goals and vision,
" Consumer / market feedback,
" Possibility for replication.