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Remarkable achievements at the 2025 Disability Employment Australia Awards
Last night, the winners of the 2025 Disability Employment Australia (DEA) Awards were announced at a Gala Evening on the Gold Coast. Three CVGT Employment employees were among the list of finalists this year.
CVGT Employment is delighted and proud to announce our very own David Furci has been named as the 2025 Rex Eagle Practitioner of the Year.
Rex Eagle Practitioner Award, sponsored by Prospert, recognises a disability employment frontline worker who has demonstrated exceptional commitment to participant-led employer engagement and to delivering service of the highest quality.
David’s recognition is a testament to his unwavering dedication, empathy, and commitment to building meaningful, trust-based relationships with both employers and participants.
With over five years at CVGT Employment, David has become a cornerstone of the Shepparton team. Known for his humour, humility, and heart, David brings a unique blend of compassion and clarity to his work—qualities that have made a lasting impact on the lives of many.
L-R: Jason Russell, David Furci, Paul Diviny.
“At CVGT Employment, our mission is to create inclusive pathways to meaningful work for everyone—and this recognition is a powerful reflection of that purpose,” said Jason Russell, CEO of CVGT Employment.
David embodies CVGT’s core values in everything he does. He represents our organisation with integrity, warmth, and professionalism. His ability to connect with people and deliver exceptional service is truly inspiring.
Tara Wright, Branch Manager at CVGT Shepparton
This award showcases the qualities, skills and experience that together exemplify the best professional practice in our sector. The Rex Eagle Practitioner Award honours Rex Eagle’s significant contributions to employment services over multiple decades. His work has impacted the professional lives of thousands of DES consultants across Australia, New Zealand, the United States, and Canada.
In his award acceptance speech, David said ” This award doesn’t just belong to me; it belongs to everyone I work with and work alongside.”
I believe nothing is achieved alone in this industry ,or without the effort and collaboration of a good team around you, so I am very lucky to have that.
David Furci, CVGT Senior Business Development Consultant for Goulburn Murray
We are confident that you join us in extending heartfelt congratulations to David on this outstanding effort and result.
In addition to David’s outstanding achievement, CVGT Employment is thrilled to celebrate the success of other team members and partners:
FINALIST – genU Training Participant of the Year Award
Jamie Halliday, CVGT Administration Assistant
This award recognises a participant who has achieved amazing things on their journey to a fulfilling career, whether they have found the right job yet, are just starting in work, or have been working for years. Through the Fundamentals for DES training package, co-developed with DEA, genU puts the participant and their aspirations at the heart of the journey, and this Award is all about celebrating people who have held a dream and dedicated themselves towards fulfilling it, no matter the obstacles in their way.
FINALIST – Erin Carey Employer Partnership Award
Matson Hospitality Group, in partnership with Adam Barnett, CVGT Senior Business Development Consultant Tasmania
This inaugural award recognises a collaboration between a specific employer and practitioner who have developed a long- term relationship that has led to good quality and sustainable jobs for DES candidates.
David Furci’s award, along with the finalist achievements of Jamie Halliday and Adam Barnett, highlights the strength of our entire team, whose passion and professionalism continue to drive real change in the disability employment sector.
To have representation in every award category this year is a powerful endorsement of the work our team does every day to create meaningful opportunities for people of all abilities.
Jason Russell, CEO of CVGT Employment
CVGT Employment congratulates all finalists and winners and remains committed to empowering people through meaningful work.
Our congratulations extend to all finalists of these yearly awards with extra special acknowledgement of our own team for their individual commitment and dedication to their place with the Disability sector.
CVGT Employment – Connecting more people to meaningful and inclusive employment
CVGT Employment is a for purpose charitable employment service organisation. We’ve been supporting people to find meaningful work for over 40 years. We offer a range of employment programs and specialities across Victoria, New South Wales and Tasmania. We believe in inclusive employment for every person and business and understand the positive impact meaningful and matched employment can make to people and communities.
We work closely with business and industry to build inclusive practices, improve equality, and ensure every person has access to employment. Our partners share our vision of developing pathways to employment for people of all backgrounds, ages, abilities and experiences. Working together is what makes the difference for our communities. You can find out more about us at cvgt.com.au