Community & Business
10 April, 2026
Michael Hodge a finalist in Vision Super Awards
Michael Hodge, waste operations manager, is a finalist for the 2026 Vision Super Local Hero Award.
To most, the waste management and recycling centre is a place for sorting bottles and baling cardboard. But for the 18 residents of Orana Living who work there, it is a place of dignity, purpose, and belonging thanks largely to the man they call "Hodgey”.
Michael Hodge, the waste operations manager for Gilgandra Shire Council, has been officially named a finalist for the Vision Super Local Hero Award. The award, presented by industry super fund Vision Super, is designed to shine a light on local government employees who go above and beyond to make their communities a better place to live.
According to Gilgandra Shire Council, for Hodgey, that "above and beyond" happens every day at Carlginda Enterprises.
Since taking the helm of the recycling centre seven-years-ago, Hodgey has transformed the facility into a beacon of inclusive employment. According to Gilgandra Shire Council, Hodgey brings a unique blend of dedication, humour, and genuine care to his role each day, ensuring that every employee leaves feeling they have had a meaningful and enjoyable day at work.
Supported by NDIS funding, Carlginda Enterprises provides jobs for 18 locals with intellectual and physical disabilities. Under Hodgey’s leadership, the team (which includes three non-verbal participants and a wheelchair user) is integrated into the heart of the town’s operations. Whether they are conducting weekly cardboard runs through the streets of Gilgandra or managing the resale of materials, the employees are seen, heard, and valued.
"As long as they enjoy the day, everything here is great," says Hodgey, whose philosophy is famously client-first.
While the work is essential for the environment, the culture Hodgey has built is essential for the soul. In his nomination for the award, Gilgandra Shire Council notes that his long-standing service, which began in 2001, reflects a deep-seated commitment to community wellbeing. At Carlginda, the morning "toolbox meetings" are as much about checking in on one another as they are about the day’s tasks. Birthdays are major events, and the tradition of the Thursday lunch order is a weekly highlight that keeps spirits high and the team bonded.
His approach has been instrumental in breaking down the stigma surrounding disability in the Orana region. By encouraging his team to engage with the public, Hodgey has fostered a community of genuine connection and acceptance.
The Vision Super Local Hero Awards celebrate those whose dedication reflects a deep commitment to community wellbeing. The council highlights that Hodgey treats every person with patience, respect, and encouragement, creating a safe environment where confidence can grow. These qualities made him a standout candidate for the judges.
The excitement is building as Hodgey prepares to trade his ‘high-vis’ for a suit. He will be heading to Sydney for the official awards ceremony next month, where the winner will be announced.
Regardless of the outcome in Sydney, to the 18 employees at Carlginda and the wider Gilgandra community, Hodgey is already a local hero. He has proven that with patience, humour, and care, a recycling centre can become a place where people don't just work but thrive.
