Award-winning Lords instructor

Lords Recreation Centre group fitness instructor, Jo-Anne Starkie, took home the title of 2023 Accredited Exercise Professional Award at the AUSactive National Awards this week. 

The awards – which highlight best practice and provides a benchmark for industry standards and quality – were announced at a gala dinner in Melbourne.

Jo-Anne has been part of the Lords family for close to 12 years, and has taught Aqua, Cycle, Body Pump, Pilates and Seniors in this time. 

“I am honoured to have won the AUSactive Accredited Exercise Professional of the Year – the highest award available to exercise professionals,” Jo-Anne said. 

“It is humbling to receive national acknowledgement of my achievements and my contribution to the participants that I work with. 

“I aim to provide continued opportunities to all participants to develop further their mind and body health and wellbeing. It is a privilege to do this.”

Mayor David McMullen congratulated Jo-Anne on the achievement.

“The Lords community knows that all our instructors and staff deliver an exceptional experience day in and day out, but it’s great to see this being recognised at an individual level on the national stage,” he said.

“We are very proud to have such high-quality instructors, like Jo-Anne, teaching at Lords and making it the very best it can be. A big congratulations on the award win, Jo-Anne – what an achievement.”