Moneycare program earns top award

The Salvation Army’s financial literacy program You’re The Boss has received the outstanding achievement award in the community category at the MoneySmart Week Awards in Sydney.

The awards took place on Tuesday, 2nd September, as part of National MoneySmart Week, which aims to educate Australians about the importance of financial literacy and encourages all Australians to take the next step in their finances.

Moneycare Financial Counsellor Kristen Hartnett played a key role in developing the You’re The Boss program, which is used through Moneycare as a guide to managing your finances.

“We’re proud and humble to have our work acknowledged by this award. Our goal is to connect with people and help them keep on top of financial issues that happen in our busy and complex world. It’s great that The Salvation Army has the ability and opportunity to connect with people in this way,” Kristen said.

Moneycare’s Territorial Consultant Tony Devlin nominated the You’re The Boss program, with the winner decided by a panel of industry and community experts. 

“The award, for us, reaffirms that we’re heading in the right direction and that the program is a quality program. That’s why we develop it. It’s always nice when people who have great experience and knowledge actually give the program a tick of approval.”

Commonwealth Ombudsman Colin Neave chairs the judging panel. In awarding You’re The Boss with the outstanding achievement award, the judges wrote, “The Salvation Army works with some of the most disadvantaged groups within the community to provide opportunities to those who would not otherwise have them. Part of the program’s success within the community can be credited to how easily accessible the program is to individuals.”

You’re The Boss was launched in 2010, with the assistance of Virgin Money. Since then, the program has been redeveloped in conjunction with Insurance Australia Group Ltd, and it was re-launched last year. 

The MoneySmart Week Awards, which are organised by Financial Literacy Australia and the Australia Securities and investments Commission, are the highest awards offered in Australia in the financial literacy area.

Visit salvos.org.au/need-help/financial-assistance/financial-literacy/ to find out more about You’re The Boss, or to download your free copy of the program.

Photo caption: General Counsel and Company Secretary of AMP Brian Salter (left), presents the award to Kristen Hartnett and Tony Devlin from Moneycare.

Photo credit: Yve Lavine - 2014 MoneySmart Week