Bev Lazarou named NSW Public Servant of the Year

·

NSW public servants have been recognised for their outstanding service and community impact at the 2024 Premier’s Awards event, held on Monday night in Sydney.

This year’s eight award categories reflect the different ways the NSW public service enhances the lives of communities across the state. 

With more than 240 nominations received, this year’s awards celebrated a strong field of finalists who represent the highest standards of integrity and service that lie at the heart of the NSW public sector.

This year, Bev Lazarou of Legal Aid NSW was recognised as the 2024 NSW Public Servant of the Year. The Public Servant of the Year Award recognises an individual who demonstrates a commitment to shaping an exceptional public service. 

Ms Lazarou is a highly respected leader in the sector, having devoted herself to supporting women affected by domestic, family and sexual violence. Her work spearheading the co-location pilot program has created a ground-breaking model that ensures women and children experiencing violence receive coordinated and timely support.

Each year, the Anthea Kerr Award is presented to a future leader in the public sector, a person who displays outstanding achievement and a deep commitment to public sector values in their work. This year’s Anthea Kerr Award winner is Samantha Walters from the Department of Communities and Justice. 

Ms Walters works tirelessly as a caseworker supporting children in out of home care. She has a track record of passionate advocacy for young people with disabilities, and adolescents facing significant hardships and challenges. She maintains an active role as a leader and a role model, despite not being in a management position, and is known for going above and beyond for the most vulnerable children of NSW.

The 2024 Premier’s Award winners are:

  • NSW Public Servant of the Year: Bev Lazarou, Legal Aid NSW.
  • Anthea Kerr Award: Samantha Walters, Department of Communities and Justice NSW.
  • Building a resilient economy: Uptown District Acceleration Program, Department of Creative Industries, Tourism, Hospitality and Sport. 
  • Connecting communities: Digitisation: Records of Stolen Generations, Museums of History NSW.
  • Driving public sector diversity: Early Birds & Night Owls, Australian Museum.
  • Excellence in service delivery: Howlong Community Emergency Response Team (CERT), NSW Ambulance.
  • Highest quality healthcare: RPA Virtual Wound Care Command Centre, Sydney Local Health District.
  • World class education and training: Birrany and Mulungan Program, Department of Climate Change, Energy, The Environment and Water. 

The Premier of NSW Chris Minns said “the Premier’s Awards recognise the dedication of our public sector workers on behalf of our communities.”

“All our nominees contribute to building an exemplary public service and delivering essential services that people rely on,” Mr Minns said.

“Our public service workforce is helping our government to build a better NSW, as we work relentlessly on behalf of the people of our state.

“I want to thank all our public sector employees and give a special congratulations to our finalists this year.”

The Premier’s Department Secretary Simon Draper said “the incredible leadership and commitment of our Premier’s Awards finalists is a testament to the work that our public service delivers week in week out, as they serve the people of NSW.”

“Congratulations to all our deserving winners and finalists,” Mr Draper added.

Advertisement

Share:

KEEP UP TO DATE WITH TGH

By subscribing you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.

Advertisement

Latest News

Finding Faith and Friendship: The rise of Greek Orthodox Youth Groups in Australia

Are you looking to meet like-minded people who have the same values and beliefs as you and follow the same faith?

Reviewing Anthony Buirchell’s ‘Spirited Away’: Historic threads of Crete’s prisoners of war

From seasoned educator and author, Anthony Buirchell comes a historical fiction novel 5 years in the making, delivering nostalgic research.

The Andonaros family’s Big Fat Greek Easter gathering in Canberra

On Sunday, April 20, my family from ACT, QLD, NSW, and SA came together for our very own big, fat, Greek Easter reunion. 

Oakleigh Grammar’s Tim Hines named a ‘Rising Star’ in Australia

Tim Hines, an English teacher at Oakleigh Grammar, has been recognised as one of the best educators in Australia under 35.

Hundreds of community-language teachers to attend annual conference at Sydney University

Around 700 teachers, representing the 297 community language schools across the state that teach 61 community languages.

You May Also Like

Photographer David Wadelton: ‘Greek and Italian-style décor reflects pride of homeland’

Growing up in Melbourne's inner north, working class suburbs during the 1970s and 80s, I took the many interesting houses there for granted.

Harry Michaels sells rare Point Piper apartment for a whopping $3.7 million

TV entrepreneur and Number 96 actor, Harry Michaels, has sold his Point Piper Spanish Mission apartment for $3.7 million.

Oakleigh Greek Community launches Greek Dance Academy

The Greek Orthodox Community of Oakleigh and District (Community) has extended their services to include traditional Greek dance.