A Fremantle-based community advocate has been awarded the THIS IS FREMANTLE Aspire Award for 2025.
Michael Piu is the Chief Executive Officer of St Patrick's Community Support Centre, known affectionately as St Pat's.
"I'm honoured to receive the THIS IS FREMANTLE Aspire Award and deeply grateful to Business Events Perth and the City of Fremantle for this unique opportunity," Mr Piu said.
Michael's work focuses on addressing homelessness through community collaboration and developing social housing and specialist services that support people to end their experience of homelessness.
He is also involved with organisations like Imagined Futures, WA Alliance to End Homelessness, Homelessness Australia and HumanAbility.
St Pat's is a Fremantle-based not-for-profit organisation working to end homelessness and support people facing disadvantage to achieve independence and wellbeing.
It was founded in Fremantle more than 50 years ago, and delivers a broad range of services, including housing, specialist support, health, outreach and social enterprise initiatives across the Perth and Peel regions.
Michael has been with St Pat's since 2009 and was appointed CEO in 2018, leading the organisation through a period of rapid growth and increasing complexity.
He engages all sectors of the community to break down the stereotypes surrounding homelessness, and to work collaboratively to end chronic homelessness in Western Australia.
The THIS IS FREMANTLE Aspire Award, in partnership with Business Events Perth, enables recipients to attend an international business event for professional development purposes.
"Attending the National Conference on Ending Homelessness in Canada will allow me to showcase the innovative work happening here in WA, learn from global leaders in the field, and bring back insights that will strengthen efforts to end homelessness in Fremantle, Western Australia, and beyond," Mr Piu said.
City of Fremantle CEO Glen Dougall said he was pleased to recognise Michael's tireless work in the community.
"Michael leads a team that provides support services for some of the most vulnerable people in our community who are facing homelessness and other disadvantages in life.
"Everyone at the City of Fremantle values Michael's knowledge and expertise on homelessness and housing matters.
"His dedication, leadership and advocacy have helped position St Pat's as a leader in Western Australia's not-for-profit sector.
"I look forward to hearing what Michael brings back from his conference experience," Mr Dougall said.
Business Events Perth CEO Gareth Martin congratulated the 2025 Aspire Award recipients for their outstanding achievements.
"Each year, the Aspire Awards showcase the incredible depth of talent, innovation and leadership within Western Australia's academic and professional community. These recipients exemplify the spirit of curiosity, collaboration and achievement that drives our state's reputation for excellence on the global stage.
"Attending conferences is invaluable, it encourages genuine connection, meaningful exchange and collaboration.
"Through the Aspire program, we're proud to assist Western Australian thought leaders engage at these global conferences, experiences that not only advance their research and professional development but also create opportunities for these events to return to Western Australia in future years," Mr Martin said.
The THIS IS FREMANTLE Aspire Award
