Parliamentary Secretary for Carers and Volunteers Gabrielle Williams is calling for nominations to help recognise public and community housing tenants who have made outstanding contributions to their local community.
The Frances Penington and Molly Hadfield Awards recognise those who have contributed to their neighbourhood by working as volunteers with a community group, agency or charity or have supported people in their area.
Today Ms Williams met with Ethel May Emms, the winner of the Hadfield award in 2013. Ms Emms was recognised for coordinating many activities and events for older residents during her six years as President of the Doveton Seniors Group.
The Molly Hadfield Award honours the contribution made by public and community housing tenants in supporting older community members. This award is named after the late Mary (Molly) Hadfield, who was an advocate for public housing tenants. She was also an original member of the Housing for the Aged Action Group, which formed in 1983.
The Frances Penington Award has been presented each year since 1998 to a public or community housing tenant, or group of tenants, who have made an outstanding voluntary contribution to their local community.
The award honours the late Frances Penington, a Commissioner of the Housing Commission and the first woman appointed to the board of a statutory authority in Victoria. She was also a strong advocate for public housing tenants, particularly for women living in housing estates.
The call for nominations for the Frances Penington and Molly Hadfield Awards is a part of Housing Week 2015, which is a time to celebrate the contribution of public and community housing residents to Victoria. The previous government abandoned housing week.
For more information on how to nominate someone for these awards visit or email placeinitiatives@dhhs.vic.gov.au.
Quotes attributable to Parliamentary Secretary for Carers and Volunteers Gabrielle Williams
“The Penington and Hadfield Awards are important in recognising the efforts of Victorian public housing and community housing tenants who are supporting other community members.”
“Housing Week 2015 highlights our commitment to growing social housing and improving services for tenants across Victoria.”
Reviewed 10 February 2021