Lino Bisinella Honoured with 2025 Frank Costa Leadership Award

The Committee for Geelong proudly announced Lino Bisinella as the recipient of the 2025 Frank Costa Leadership Award, at the Future Geelong Leadership Awards on Tuesday 25 November, recognising Lino’s extraordinary leadership, vision, and lifelong commitment to community.

At 81, Lino still heads to the office—a testament to a career built on purpose, not just profit. Arriving from Italy in 1959, he founded L. Bisinella Developments, shaping Geelong’s landscape for more than 60 years. For Lino, business has never been about “calling the shots or making a dollar,” but about creating lasting value and building communities.

His philosophy is clear: “Business success comes with a degree of social obligation. Treat your team, partners, and customers like family—with trust and respect—and success will follow.” Lino believes businesses exist because of the communities they serve, so giving back is not optional—it’s a duty.

This belief shines through his actions: opposing the Waste to Energy Incinerator, funding Samaritan House and Anam Cara, restoring heritage sites, and quietly helping countless individuals. His family motto, “the key to your community,” reflects his values of family, care, and connection.

Lino reminds young leaders that “profits come and go, big deals fade, and flash cars aren’t what business leaders are remembered for.” True success, he says, is measured by what you do with your good fortune to make your community safer, healthier, and happier.

As Lino puts it: “This country has been good to us, and our success has given us the opportunity—and the duty—to make life better for others. That, to me, is success.”

It’s clear why Lino Bisinella is the 2025 recipient of the Frank Costa Leadership Award, an honour celebrating those who lead with integrity, purpose, and a deep commitment to community.

Michael Johnston, CEO of Committee for Geelong said:

“Lino is the embodiment of community leadership. Someone who has led by example, created opportunity, and given back to his community consistently for decades.

He has vision and quietly goes about making it reality. And when his community has needed him, Lino has been willing to step up and take action. Whether this be by fighting for what’s right, or through his philanthropic support of so many community organisations; Lino steps up and steps forward.

Geelong is a better place because of Lino Bisinella.”

Rebecca Bartel, Chair of the Committee for Geelong, said:

“The Frank Costa Leadership Award celebrates those who lead with heart and long-term vision. Lino embodies that spirit.

His life’s work shows that real success is measured not just by what you build, but by what you give back.

For more than six decades, Lino has shaped our region with unwavering integrity, generosity and a deep belief in the power of community.

Thank you Lino.”

Background on Frank Costa Award

Since 2010, the Committee for Geelong has awarded the Annual Leadership Award to a leader of significance in our community. The inaugural Annual Leadership Award that year was bestowed upon Frank Costa AO,  for his services to the Geelong community.

The Annual Leadership Award was renamed the Frank Costa Annual Leadership Award  in 2021, in recognition of Frank Costa’s legacy and leadership in the Geelong community and remembers him as one of the Committee for Geelong’s founders 20 years ago. Mr Costa sadly passed away in May 2021.

Future Geelong Leadership Award Winners

Frank Costa Leadership Award

Lino Bisinella

People’s Choice Award

Isini Puhula Gamayalage

Deakin University Under 25 Award

Alexander Scott

Connectivity Award

Brett Winter

Workplace Leader Award

Kane Nuttall

Liveability Leader Award

Chris Kelsall

Cultural and Recreational Leader Award

Jennifer Cromarty

Corporate Citizenship Leader Award

The Hamilton Group