Leo Gugatschka wins Styrian civilian service award

Leo Gugatschka from Riegersburg has been named Styria’s civilian service worker of the year for 2026, ORF reported. The Integration and Family Ministry presented him with the award in Vienna on Tuesday.

Gugatschka worked at Lebenshilfe Weiz until the end of June. The jury praised his ability to meet people where they are in their individual circumstances.

His duties included woodworking, outdoor work and sports activities with clients. He also used his experience in tennis to train the Lebenshilfe table tennis team for the Special Olympics summer games.

Gugatschka travelled from southern Styria to Vienna in his free time to support the athletes. During his service, which ran from October 2025 to the end of June 2026, he built relationships, earned trust and had a positive effect on the clients’ daily lives.