Waverley Gymnastics Centre Recognised at 2025 Sir John Monash Awards!
Waverley Gymnastics Centre (WGC) has been recognised with three major honours at the 2025 Sir John Monash Awards, celebrating its leadership in inclusive sport and community engagement.
The Centre received the Outstanding Advocate of People with Disabilities Award for its George’s Gymnastics Inclusion Program, while Dr Natasha Brusco, WGC’s Inclusion Mentor, was named Volunteer of the Year. In a further accolade, Dr Brusco was also awarded the Overall Outstanding Leadership Award, selected from all category winners.
These awards are a wonderful gesture of thanks, presented annually by the City of Monash, acknowledging individuals and organisations making significant contributions to the local community across a range of fields.
Outstanding Advocate of People with Disabilities
WGC received the City of Moansh 'Outstanding Advocate of People with Disabilities' Award for its George’s Gymnastics Inclusion Program. The program was developed in collaboration with George, a student at Vermont South Special School, and is designed to provide a safe, supportive, and inclusive gymnastics experience for children with diverse abilities.
In 2025, the program expanded to include more than 200 students from seven special schools across Victoria. Delivered over five weeks, the sessions are tailored to meet the individual needs of participants, with a focus on movement, confidence, and social connection. The program reflects WGC’s commitment to ensuring that gymnastics is accessible to all children, regardless of ability and is underpinned by the incredible support from Monash University for this initiative and the Monash University physiotherapy students who work alongside the gymnastics coaches to provide invaluable support to the children throughout the program.
The program is led by our exceptional Inclusion Manager Anita Woon, and inspiring Inclusion Mentor, Dr Natasha Brusco, whose coordination and combined leadership have been central to its growth and success. Together, their work has ensured that George’s Gymnastics Program is not only impactful, but also sustainable, setting a benchmark for inclusive sport in the community.
Volunteer of the Year
Dr Natasha Brusco was named City of Monash 'Volunteer of the Year' for her significant contributions to the development and delivery of George’s Gymnastics Inclusion Program. As WGC Inclusion Mentor, Dr Brusco has played a key role in organising the program, from supporting coaches and mentoring staff to embedding inclusive practices across the organisation. Her volunteer work has been instrumental in ensuring the program’s success and in fostering a culture of inclusion at Waverley Gymnastics.
Overall Outstanding Leadership Award
In addition to receiving the Volunteer of the Year Award, Dr Brusco was also selected as the recipient of the City of Monash 'Overall Outstanding Leadership' Award.
This award is presented to one individual chosen from all Sir John Monash Award category winners, in recognition of exceptional leadership and community impact. Dr Brusco’s dual recognition highlights the depth of her contribution to inclusive sport and her influence in shaping a more accessible gymnastics environment.
Congratulations to everyone involved in this incredible inclusion program including the amazing WGC coaches and team members as well as the wonderful schoolteachers and carers whose collective efforts have helped establish Waverley Gymnastics Centre as a leader in inclusive programming. But most of all, we extend our heartfelt thanks to our inspiring participants, whose enthusiasm, courage, and joy continue to shape and elevate this program. The awards mark a significant milestone in WGC’s ongoing mission to make gymnastics a welcoming and empowering experience for every child.