Sally Issac Memorial Scholarship Fund Award

About the award

The award is open to all women aged 35 years and under, not just those employed in Local Government, who have made a significant contribution to the community in one of the following fields:

  • Local Government
  • Social Justice
  • Aboriginal affairs and reconciliation
  • Arts and music
  • Community health
  • Culturally and linguistically diverse communities
  • Urban planning
  • The environment
Nominees must be an Australian citizen or permanent resident of Australia. They can be Local Government officers, Councillors or community members.

The successful recipient receives a $10,000 educational scholarship.

*The Sally Isaac Memorial Scholarship Fund is a sub-fund of Australian Communities Foundation

Background to the Award

   Sally Elizabeth Isaac was an
   extraordinary woman and young
   leader in the Local Government
   sector who passed away in early
   2009.




In 2006, at the age of 33, Sally was appointed Director of Community Programs at Yarra City Council where she was directly responsible for 342 professional staff working in aged care, child care, community planning, advocacy, the arts and library services. 

Sally was exuberant and brave, bright and insightful, brilliant and engaging. She was focused and intelligent with an enduring commitment to making things better. She was also humble, loving and full of fun with wisdom beyond her years. 

There was truly something special about Sally Isaac and for all who knew her she will remain an inspiration and close to their hearts. Soon after her death her family, friends and colleagues met to discuss ways to recognise the incredible impact that she had on people’s lives. They decided to establish the Sally Isaac Memorial in her honour.

Nominations for 2018


Nominations for the 2018 award close on Monday 7 May.  Nominations must be submitted via an online process.

2017 winners







Congratulations to last year's co-recipients Kelly Hinton (left) & Phoebe Nagorcka-Smith (right).