2025 Annual Leadership Award

The Committee is delighted to announce that Phil Hayes-Brown and Ross Kilborn are the recipients of the Committee's first Annual Leadership Award.

The awards were presented this week at the Committee's Annual General Meeting. 

CFMP CEO Josh Sinclair said the Committee received 14 quality nominations for this award, and the recipients this year will help set the benchmark going forward.

"Both Phil and Ross have shown exemplary leadership over the past year - overcoming significant challenges to tackle national issues that have a local, meaningful significance.”

"They are both instrumental across a range of issues here on the Peninsula, including inclusion and disability, homelessness, social enterprise, and improving health and education opportunities for everyone."

"They are both highly deserving recipients, and we are proud to have them in our community."

CFMP Deputy Chair Matt McDonald, Ross Kilborn (Community Award Recipient), Phil Hayes-Brown (Leadership Award), CFMP CEO Josh Sinclair

Phil Hayes-Brown

Over the past 12 months, Phil Hayes-Brown has demonstrated outstanding leadership in the Frankston and Mornington Peninsula region, driving inclusion, community engagement, and social enterprise.  

Phil has shown visionary leadership by securing philanthropic funding to complete the Hub @ Sages at Sages Cottage Farm, in Baxter. This projects has expanded spaces for people with disability, and created a facility for wider community use.

He has transformed the farm into a tourism and hospitality destination, attracting leading chefs to Sages Café and partnering with the Melbourne Events Group to increase the number of weddings and ongoing visitors to the northern Peninsula.

He exemplifies collaborative leadership through partnerships he’s established with Lendlease, A.G. Coombs, Monash University, and Frankston RSL; generating employment, training, and inclusion opportunities.

Phil’s initiative with Lend Lease on the redevelopment of Peninsula University Hospital and subsequent corporate partnerships highlights Wallara’s role in social procurement.

Phil’s leadership is empowering, results-driven, and transformational, inspiring collaboration and creating lasting social, educational, and economic impact in the region.

But over the past year, Phil has used his leadership to overcome some significant challenges Wallara has faced and continues to face.

A key challenge for the Hub @ Sages has been the reliance on philanthropic support and grant applications to fund enhancements and programs. Without any government funding whatsoever for these initiatives, progress has taken some time, which has meant that those most impacted, the young people with disability Wallara supports, have had to wait for expanded opportunities and facilities.

The NDIS funding structure also presents challenges for growth and long-term sustainability. To remain viable while delivering on expansion plans and improved services to people with disability, Phil has led the development of diversified income streams, turning Wallara’s hospitality and horticulture programs into thriving social enterprises that both fund programs and create meaningful opportunities for participants.

Over his entire tenure at Wallara, Phil’s collaborative approach has created a network of corporate, philanthropic, and educational partnerships, connecting Wallara with organisations the support program delivery but have also embedded inclusive practices into workplaces and educational settings.

Phil continues to demonstrate exemplary leadership in our region. He has transformed Wallara into a sustainable, community-focused organisation, leaving a lasting legacy of inclusion, innovation, and meaningful impact for people living with disability and the broader south east Melbourne community.

Congratulations to the Committee’s Leadership Award recipient, Phil Hayes-Brown.

Ross Kilborn 

Ross Kilborn has demonstrated exceptional leadership by bringing together community groups, government, and hardworking volunteers to deliver meaningful outcomes for the Mornington Peninsula.

Ross’ work extends across coastal management, environmental advocacy, tourism development, and community wellbeing projects, where he has led with clarity, fierce collaboration, and long-term vision.

His leadership has been instrumental in advancing key regional projects, often in complex and sensitive community contexts. Ross exemplifies the qualities of a true community leader — professionalism, inclusiveness, strategic thinking, and integrity.

He is solutions-focused, skilled in stakeholder engagement, and able to maintain respectful communication even in challenging circumstances.

In the past year, Ross has helped deliver the walking path next to Bays Hospital, improve pedestrian access and community health infrastructure through Mornington Rotary, deliver a food van for Mornington Community Support Centre, and support locals experiencing hardship. He’s also advanced works on the Beleura Cliff Path, and supported the Peninsula Trail via the Mornington Community Safelink from Moorooduc to Mornington.

Testament to Ross’ passion to deliver positive outcomes in the community, Ross has been instrumental in the progress of “The Ranch 2.0”, unlocking future crisis accommodation capacity for Mornington.

This project has a tangible and meaningful impact on the front line of this region’s housing crisis. Together with the Mornington Community Support Centre, Mornington Rotary, and volunteers, Ross has dedicated much of the past year getting the Ranch ‘move in ready’ and literally helping to put rooves over the heads of vulnerable members of our community.

Ross is a respected community leader whose work has strengthened environmental, tourism, and social infrastructure across Mornington and the wider Peninsula.

As President of the Rotary Club of Mornington for over five years, Ross has helped deliver infrastructure and projects across Mornington that would probably rival any government investment across the same time for Mornington.

Through professionalism and inclusive leadership, Ross continues to make a lasting contribution to the region.

Congratulations to the Committee’s Community Leader Award Recipient, Ross Kilborn.