🐾Celebrating our Staff at the Aspire Zoo Do!
On Saturday, 29th of November, we held our Annual Aspire Awards – and this year, we took the celebration to a truly unique venue: the Melbourne Zoo! Our Aspire Zoo Doo was all about celebrating and recognising the heart and passion that each of our Aspire team members bring every single day. It was an incredible evening that honoured both individual team members and Aspire centre teams who have gone above and beyond in 2025.
This year's awards celebration was extra special because every Aspire employee across Victoria was invited, making it a meaningful night of celebration, connection, learning, and growth - and of course, dancing into the twilight. From exciting experiences and giveaways to adorable animals roaming nearby, our Aspire staff enjoyed an unforgettable evening together.
A huge thank you to our flagship sponsor Step4 and all our amazing sponsors who made this event possible. Your support helps us create moments that truly matter and empower us as a community.
Check out some of the photos from this wonderful night of celebration below! We can’t wait to share more about our major award winners over the coming weeks - stay tuned!
Here’s to another year of passion, excellence, and making a difference. 🌟
On arrival, each person received their very own passport! Our Safari Passport was thoughtfully curated to take our team around the zoo and participate in 4 activations based on our Aspire Values: Building Trust, Connecting Communities, Empowering Excellence and Inspiring & Nurturing.
A fun and challenging activity hosted by our flagship sponsor Step4, reminding us that trust is the foundation of teamwork. Guests were instructed to pair up - one person as the guide and the other blindfolded and putting all their trust in their teammate! The pairs worked their way through the Step4 play structure step by step until they completed the activity and were rewarded with their first stamp!
A vibrant, interactive centerpiece that beautifully illustrates how every individual is part of a larger story. Each connection represents collaboration, shared goals, and the strength we gain from unity. It’s more than a map - it’s a visual celebration of community, reminding us that together, we create something extraordinary.
Turn exploration into an adventure! Safari Bingo encouraged everyone to slow down, look closer, and discover the hidden gems in our surroundings. From unexpected conversations to delightful details, every square on the bingo card is an invitation to celebrate life’s little wonders. It’s also a fun way to meet new faces and deepen bonds within the Aspire family - because magic happens when we connect.
Our Flagship Sponsor Step4 stepped in again to help us create a playful test of collaboration and balance, symbolizing how we lift each other up. This time, they provided us with their brand-new Build-A-Ventures set! The teams were tasked with creating the tallest possible tower in 3 minutes and there were some truly epic structures created!
As the sun began to set, the Melbourne Zoo transformed into a magical setting for our Aspire Awards Ceremony. Against a backdrop of golden skies and the sounds of nature, we gathered to honour the incredible achievements of our Aspire team.
Congratulations to all our award winners! Stay tuned for more details about each winner, but for now, here’s a glimpse of the unforgettable evening and the inspiring individuals who make Aspire shine.
Ishpreet Kaur - Aspire Beveridge
The Rising Star Award honours team members who are new to early education or have just begun their Aspire journey. These individuals show enthusiasm, initiative, and a strong growth mindset.
Ishpreet has quickly built strong relationships, embraced learning, and truly reflects Aspire’s values and energy. Congratulations, Ishpreet, on this well-deserved achievement!
Geraldine Efondol - Aspire Atherstone
The Most Valuable Educator Award is one of the evening’s most meaningful honours. It recognises an educator who truly embodies Aspire’s values - creating inspiring and nurturing environments, building strong family relationships, fostering teamwork, and showing unwavering commitment to children’s wellbeing and learning.
Geraldine exemplifies all of this and more. Congratulations on this outstanding achievement!
Gurpreet Kaur Dhaliwal - Aspire Atherstone
Our Kinder programs are a cornerstone of Aspire, laying the foundation for school readiness, confidence, curiosity, and a lifelong love of learning. This award honours a Kinder Teacher who delivers exceptional educational outcomes, creates inspiring programs, and brings genuine passion and expertise to every child’s journey.
Gurpreet exemplifies these qualities through strong family partnerships, intentional leadership, and dedication to making our Kinder programs among the best in the sector. Congratulations, Gurpreet, on this incredible achievement!
Kate Banks - Aspire Support Team
This award celebrates the incredible people behind the scenes who keep Aspire moving forward. Our Support Team ensures centres run smoothly, teams feel supported, and everything operates at its best.
Kate has gone above and beyond in her role, consistently delivering high-quality work, living Aspire’s values, and making a meaningful impact across the organisation. Congratulations, Kate, on this well-deserved recognition!
Rhonda Armstrong - Aspire Rockbank
This award honours a Centre Manager who leads with clarity, care, and purpose. Rhonda is a true standout - consistently achieving results while driving innovation through initiatives like the Children’s Committee, Safety Committee, Art Studio, and sustainability practices.
Her influence extends beyond her centre, mentoring new managers and setting a benchmark for leadership across Aspire. Congratulations, Rhonda, on this incredible achievement!
Aspire Cranbourne North
This award celebrates a team that builds strong partnerships with families, local organisations, and the wider community - creating opportunities for engagement, belonging, and shared experiences.
Through initiative, collaboration, and passion, Aspire Cranbourne North has transformed their centre into a true community hub, making a lasting impact well beyond their walls. Congratulations to this incredible team!
Aspire Cranbourne East - Kinder Room 4
This award celebrates excellence at the heart of our centres - the learning environments where children explore, grow, and thrive. It recognises a team that delivers an exceptional program, creates a warm and engaging space, and consistently provides high-quality experiences for children.
Kinder Room 4 at Aspire Cranbourne East exemplifies teamwork, strong family connections, and inspiring practice. Congratulations to this outstanding team!
Aspire Benigo, Kennington
The Centre of the Year Award recognises a service that demonstrates excellence across every dimension of early education - high-performing, values-driven, and deeply committed to children, families, educators, and the wider community.
Aspire Bendigo, Kennington truly thrives within its community, creating a warm, supportive environment and delivering exceptional care and education through teamwork and collaboration. Congratulations to this outstanding centre!
Thank you to our flagship sponsor, Step4 for supporting this award and being an exceptional partner to Aspire, championing quality learning environments and helping us enhance experiences across our centres.
As the sun dipped below the horizon, the real magic began - the dance floor came alive! Guests were swept into a whirlwind of rhythm and color as Saphire Dance ignited the night with their electrifying Bollywood performance. Their vibrant outfits shimmered under the lights, and every move radiated joy and passion. The beats pulsed through the crowd, drawing everyone in - soon, the floor was packed with laughter, twirls, and unstoppable energy.
It wasn’t just a performance; it was a celebration of culture, music, and togetherness that set the tone for an unforgettable evening!
We are so proud of all our centres and teams and are incredibly grateful for the opportunity to celebrate and share these achievements with our Aspire family. Here’s to another year of growth, innovation, and excellence!
Read more about us, and our current vacancies on the Aspire Careers Website!
