Achievements
SHINE’s greatest achievement over the past two decades is having assisted 22,000 children and their families to improve their lives and life outcomes. SHINE has provided clinical placement for 2,000 university students in a unique and intensive environment that has enriched and deepened expertise in the sector.
Andrew Fildes personally has achieved state and national recognition for his work and that of the foundation. SHINE is continuing to build upon Andrew's inspiring platform in our efforts to reach more and more children in need and their families.
2010 – Learning Difficulties Australia, Bruce Wicking Award
Andrew Fildes receiving the Bruce Wicking Award from the President of LDA for 2010 – Professor Lyndsey Nickels - Awarded 16 October 2010
Plaque reads “In recognition of pioneering work in establishing innovative programs to meet the needs of students with language and learning difficulties”.
About Award –
Learning Difficulties Australia makes an occasional award known as the Bruce Wicking Award. An Award Committee of three council members considers all nominations and makes recommendations to council, who makes the final decision as to the award’s recipient.
The Bruce Wicking Award recognises a practising teacher or other professional who has made a continuing and significant contribution of an innovative nature in the education of Australian children with learning difficulties. It is preferred that the award be granted to 'someone' during their career rather than at the end of their working life.
The funds for this award are being provided through the generosity of the Wicking Family and their friends who wish to recognise the contribution made by Bruce Wicking to education, particularly in innovative education with an emphasis towards catering for individual differences. It is the family's wish that the award be supervised by LDA, with which they have had a long association.
The Bruce Wicking Philosophy
Bruce Wicking's philosophy was to develop a child as an individual, to develop strengths and overcome weaknesses, to encourage and achieve independence in a socially acceptable manner while remaining motivated, courageous and self-confident enough to achieve their personal ambitions.
He recognised that many children with special needs are not catered for in mainstream schools. He questioned the idea of what was 'normal' and aimed to help the child adjust to daily life whilst maintaining individuality. He believed that every child has different abilities, interests and works at different speeds.
His conviction that these children's needs could be met led him to establish the Currajong School in 1974. As a recipient of the Mona Tobias Award in 1986 his outstanding contributions to education were publicly recognized.
2009 - Speech Pathology Australia, National Community Contribution Award
Andrew Fildes receiving the Award from the President of Speech Pathology Australia – Ms. Cori Williams
The Andrew Dean Fildes Foundation Awarded Speech Pathology Australia - National Community Contribution Award. (Awarded by the Largest National Peak Body). Presentation of Award made at Speech Pathology Australia Annual General Meeting, held at Adelaide Convention Centre, South Australia, on the 19th of May 2009.
Granted by the Association to recognise outside agencies who have made a significant and valuable contribution to speech pathology profession throughout Australia.
2009 – 2013 – Andrew appointed Ambassador of Manor Lakes College, Victoria’s largest specialist college. In 2009 Andrew Launched Vision of College and keynote address during International Disability Awareness Week.
2007 - Australian Government Federal Minister Outstanding Contribution to Literacy/Numeracy Award
Andrew Fildes receiving Award from Federal Minister for Education, Science and Training, the Hon Julie Bishop MP.
Was 1 of 5 people in the Nation - Awarded on 16th August at Great Hall, Parliament House Canberra – Federal Ministers of Education, Outstanding Contribution to Literacy &/or Numeracy Award – presented by the Federal Minister The Hon Julie Bishop MP.
The Ministers Awards are given to individuals who have demonstrated an outstanding commitment and made a major contribution to the improvement of literacy and/or numeracy education within the Australian community over a significant period of time, and deserve national recognition for their work.
The Australian Government provided prize money to each award recipient so they can undertake projects which will improve literacy and /or numeracy outcomes.
2006 - Australian Government Federal Ministers Outstanding Contribution to Literacy &/or Numeracy Award -
Awarded Certificate of Recognition - For Victorian Nominee to the National Selection Committee.
2006 - Melbourne 2006 Commonwealth Games- Queens Baton Relay Runner
Selected as 1 of 3,500 Australians to be a Queens Baton Relay Runner for Melbourne 2006 Commonwealth Games- (carried baton in his home town of Mentone – day 37 –2nd March 2006).
2005 - Tattersall's Award for Enterprise and Achievement
Andrew Fildes honoured Tattersall’s Award for Enterprise and Achievement for month of September 2005. Awarded 25th October 2005 at Box Hill Town Hall, and attended the Annual luncheon for all 12 Monthly Award winners on 3rd August 2006 at Park Hyatt Melbourne.
About Award –
The Tattersall’s Award for Enterprise & Achievement celebrates the “unsung heroes” of our community. Presented on a monthly basis the award is designed to acknowledge those in our community who are prepared to “have a go”, an attitude not dissimilar to that of our founder George Adams.
Since the first Award presentation in 1980 over 300 “unsung heroes” have been recognized. Some have won the Award for heroic deeds, others for overcoming personal barriers or than there are those who have simply reached out and helped someone in need. Whatever their cause, they have always demonstrated persistence above the norm.
2003 – The Centenary Medal
Andrew Fildes was awarded a Centenary Medal (part of the Australian Honours System).
Citation reads: For Outstanding service in establishing a learning Centre for language learning difficulties.
Medal Presented on 24th May 2003 – by Anna Burke MP – Federal Member of Chisholm.
2001 – Given the Honour to deliver 18th Stanley L. Martin Memorial Oration for Australian Institute of Radiography
(Victorian Branch) Graduation Ceremony February 2001
2001 - Young Australian of the Year in Community Services for Victoria
Andrew Fildes Awarded 29th November 2000 – Hilton on the Park, Melbourne –Winner of the National Australia Day Council, Year 2001 Young Australian of the Year Award in Community Services for Victoria.
2000 - Foundation for Young Australian’s Queens Trust Achievers Award
1 of 9 organisations to receive a grant and honoured as Queens Trust Achievers Award from the Foundation for Young Australian’s (formally known as Queens Trust for Young Australians) - Presented by the Governor of Victoria – Sir James Gobbo at Government House on 18th July 2000.