Janine Young honoured with Lifetime Achievement Award

EWON Ombudsman Janine Young celebrates her award with EWON General Manager, Energy Transition and Expanding Jurisdictions Stephanie Saill

We’re proud to announce EWON’s Ombudsman and CEO Janine Young has received the prestigious SOCAP Lifetime Achievement Award, recognising her outstanding contribution to dispute resolution and community outreach over more than two decades.

SOCAP is Australia’s only association specialising in complaints management, offering training to complaint professionals from all industries for over 35 years.

The award acknowledges Janine's exceptional leadership and lasting impact across the ombudsman profession, including her significant work in strengthening consumer protections and improving access to essential services for vulnerable communities.

Accepting the award, Janine reflected on the many people and communities who have shaped her journey.

"I am so honoured to accept this award, not for me but on behalf of all of the people that have made it possible for me to stand here. People that inspire and challenge me,” she told the audience.

Janine's career in dispute resolution spans more than 20 years, including roles as Deputy Ombudsman at the Energy and Water Ombudsman Victoria and Ombudsman at the Public Transport Ombudsman Victoria. Since her appointment as Energy & Water Ombudsman NSW in 2014, she has led EWON through a period of significant change in the energy and water sectors, guiding the organisation's growth from around 50 members to more than 350.

Under her leadership, EWON has strengthened its reputation as a trusted source of information and advice for consumers, with independent reviews consistently recognising its best practice community outreach and commitment to accessibility, fairness and accountability. In 2024, an independent review described EWON as "one of the few trusted voices" in the energy industry, recognising the organisation's influence in improving outcomes for consumers across NSW.

Beyond her leadership of EWON, Janine has been a passionate advocate for vulnerable and disadvantaged consumers, championing initiatives that help ensure all communities can access EWON's services. She has been particularly committed to building and maintaining meaningful connections with First Nations communities across metropolitan, regional, rural and remote NSW.

“I have met so many wonderful people through EWON's outreach work, volunteers and agency staff and especially, First Nations people across regional, rural and remote communities,” she said.

“They experience the highest levels of disadvantage and electricity disconnection - and yet they welcome us to their lands, share their yarns, make us laugh, and work with us to make a difference for their mob. They fill my bucket and drive me to have a greater impact on reconciliation and equality. Their fingerprints are on this award."

Throughout her career, Janine has made a significant contribution to both the ombudsman and complaints professions through her leadership within Australia New Zealand Ombudsman Association (ANZOA) and her long-standing involvement with SOCAP. She has served on the ANZOA Executive, including as Chair and now Secretary/Treasurer, while also helping shape professional standards through SOCAP's advisory and editorial panels, certification program and industry events. A respected thought leader and regular speaker, Janine has championed best practice complaint handling and the development of complaints professionals across Australia.

While the Lifetime Achievement Award recognises a remarkable career of service, Janine remains focused on the future.

"My work's not done, there's still so much more for all of us to do."