media release
8 July 2025
HESTA announces 2025 Excellence Awards finalists
HESTA has today announced the 24 national finalists across the eight categories of the 2025 HESTA Excellence Awards.
The awards recognise exceptional achievements by individuals and teams across the aged care, allied health, disability services and community services sectors.
HESTA CEO Debby Blakey congratulated the finalists, who were selected from a pool of more than 420 nominations.
“Our members work in some of Australia’s most demanding sectors, and every day they are taking inspiring actions to positively transform the lives of those in their care,” Ms Blakey said.
“These awards serve as a catalyst for identifying, sharing, and celebrating many incredible people and their stories. Congratulations to all of this year’s finalists – we are so pleased at HESTA to be able to help recognise their hard work and dedication.”
Eight winners will each receive $7,500 for personal or professional development or to further enhance services or processes in the workplace. The prizes are funded by ME (a subsidiary of Bank of Queensland - BOQ), which has been the prize sponsor since 2007.
BOQ Group Executive of Retail Banking Greg Boyle expressed the bank’s pride in supporting the awards.
“ME takes pride in backing this award, acknowledging the remarkable individuals whose fervour for service frequently guides them to assist the most vulnerable in our community. A hearty congratulations to all the finalists of this year,” Mr Boyle said.
Winners will be announced at a ceremony on Thursday, 7 August.
Introducing the 2025 HESTA Excellence Awards finalists
Aged Care – Individual Leadership
Allison Lauder
Grant Lodge Residential Aged Care, Western Health
Bacchus Marsh, VIC
Allison, a Senior Dietitian, is recognised for revolutionising aged care dining with a resident-led designed menu, improving food quality, nutritional outcomes, and resident satisfaction. Her leadership fostered teamwork, dignity, and social mealtimes, achieving significant health improvements and setting a new standard for aged-care dining excellence.
Emma Payne
The Daisie Chain
Sutherland Shire, NSW
Emma, founder of The Daisie Chain, transforms dementia care through music, movement, training and advocacy. Her interactive programs, dementia-friendly cafe and practical resources foster connection, joy and dignity for people living with dementia, their families, and aged care staff.
Kerry Curran
RFBI West Wyalong Masonic Village
West Wyalong, NSW
Kerry has transformed the RFBI West Wyalong Masonic Village laundry into a compassionate, innovative space, improving resident wellbeing through personalised care. Kerry’s personalised approach demonstrates how small, meaningful initiatives can have a profound impact on the emotional and physical wellbeing of people living in aged care.
Aged Care – Team Excellence
ACH Group’s Social and Health Teams
ACH Group
Mile End, SA
ACH Group partnered with Tourism SA’s Tour Down Under to engage 210 aged care residents in a cycling challenge, fostering health, positive relationships and a sense of community. Residents collectively cycled 546 km, with the winning home logging 1,304 minutes on the bikes.
Mark & Sylvie’s Home Care -Atticus Health
Atticus Health
Highett, VIC
Atticus Health’s Mark & Sylvie’s Home Care integrates health and social care, supporting more than 210 clients across three years. Led by CEO and Founder Dr Floyd Gomes, its Simple, Emotive, Aged Care Model (SEAM) helps older Australians live independently, with 92.3% reporting improved wellbeing.
Sarah Lindsay and Julie Ruzich
Julie Ruzich Physiotherapy and Functional Solutions OT services
Margeret River WA
Sarah and Julie are recognised for implementing evidence-based fall prevention programs in Margaret River, improving the strength, balance, and confidence of older adults. It has helped foster social connections, and inspire expanded initiatives that ensure accessibility, sustainability and ongoing community impact. They implemented evidence-based Otago Exercise Programs, resulting in 100% of participants showing measurable progress and self-reported improvement.
Allied Health – Individual Leadership
Frances Bilbao
Mums Matter Psychology
Williamstown, VIC
Frances founded Mums Matter Psychology, Australia’s only fully bulk-billed perinatal mental health service, providing free care to over 20,000 women since its inception, including 4,200 in 2024. Her telehealth model reaches rural mothers, transforming access, outcomes, and standards in perinatal mental health care.
Sandra Iuliano
University of Melbourne/Medicine
West Heidelberg, VIC
Sandra, a nutritionist and researcher, is recognised for her advocacy in improving the quality of food provided to residents in aged care. A world-first intervention led by Sandra involving more than 7,000 aged care residents demonstrated that improved food quality helps reduce falls, fractures and malnutrition in residents.
Linda Nguyen
Care Optometry
Picnic Point, NSW
Linda is recognised for founding Care Optometry, a mobile clinic providing compassionate, accessible eye care for people with disabilities, mobility challenges, and complex medical issues. The clinic adopts tailored, patient-focused care, offering longer appointment times and incorporating trauma-informed care and culturally appropriate practices.
Allied Health – Team Excellence
Flying Squad
Royal Melbourne Hospital
Parkville, VIC
The Flying Squad is recognised for supporting patients with complex psychosocial barriers to leave hospital safely and with dignity. Since November 2021, the team has supported 590 patients with complex discharge needs, saving 756 bed days across a single 12-month period, and enabling 70% of patients to return home safely.
Stem Cell Transplant Prehab & Rehab Team
Alfred Health
Melbourne, VIC
The Stem Cell Transplant (SCT) Prehab & Rehab team is recognised for delivering an innovative exercise and nutrition program for patients with blood cancer, resulting in improved physical function, reduced frailty and enhanced quality of life. Delivered in-person and via telehealth, it set a benchmark for equitable, evidence-based SCT care.
The Shepherd Centre’s Tasmania Team
The Shepherd Centre
Montagu Bay, TAS
The Shepherd Centre’s Tasmania team supports children with hearing loss and their families through specialist early intervention services that build strong listening, language and social skills. Since launching in 2022, the team has supported 88 children across the state, helping to create lasting change and ensuring every child has the opportunity to reach their full potential.
Disability Services – Individual Leadership
Emma Weatherley
FSHD Global Research Foundation
Sydney, NSW
As the Managing Director of FSHD Global Research Foundation and living with FSHD herself, Emma is a powerful champion for change, inspiring others to join the fight against Facioscapulohumeral Muscular Dystrophy (FSHD). She leads groundbreaking initiatives, including the launch of the world’s first patient-led CURE FSHD app, which centralises medical data, empowers people living with FSHD to take control of their FSHD journey, and facilitates clinical trial participation.
Renae Gunn
Hooves of Hope
Lewison, SA
Renae Gunn, founder of Hooves of Hope, is recognised for her work empowering neurodivergent individuals and people facing mental health challenges through innovative equine-assisted therapy and learning utilising retired race horses. Renae’s dedication has positively impacted individuals, families, and communities setting a benchmark for equine-assisted therapy in Australia.
Cassandra Hughes
Down Syndrome WA
Cloverdale, WA
Cassandra is recognised for her compassionate leadership as CEO of Down Syndrome WA, where she has established national support networks, innovative diagnostic tools, and advocacy efforts that provide hope, treatment access, and life-changing support for families facing Down Syndrome Regression Disorder.
Disability Services – Team Excellence
Parkville Disability Identification Project Team
Parkville Precinct Health Services, Victoria
Parkville, VIC
The Parkville Disability Identification Project Team developed Australia's first Disability Identifier (DI), co-designed in collaboration with people with lived experience, their carers, and hospital staff. Since its launch in March 2023, over 27,000 patients have completed the DI, improving tailored care, educating staff, and addressing systemic barriers to provide individualised, tailored care for people with disabilities.
‘Navigating Autism - The Early Years’ Team
Autism Awareness Australia
Sydney, NSW
The team at Autism Awareness Australia is recognised for its innovative, evidence-based digital training program, ‘Navigating Autism – The Early Years’. This free online program equips early childhood educators to proactively identify developmental concerns, create inclusive settings, and effectively engage with and enhance outcomes for autistic children and their families.
Mobility and Accessibility for Children and Adults Ltd (MACA)
Kew East, VIC
Mobility and Accessibility for Children and Adults Ltd (MACA) is Australia’s only organisation dedicated to advancing the rights of people with disabilities and medical conditions to safe and equitable motor vehicle transport. The team’s advocacy has led to legislative changes throughout Australia, helping transform transport safety for people with disabilities and their families.
Community Services – Individual Leadership
Kim Duong
Ishar Multicultural Women’s Health Services
Mirrabooka, WA
Kim is recognised for her work empowering migrant and refugee women through accessible, culturally appropriate healthcare. She leads a team of 18 multilingual staff and contractors, delivering health education, medical access, mental health support, wellness and nutrition services to reduce health disparities and promote greater wellbeing within culturally diverse communities.
George Halkias
The Big Issue Australia
Melbourne VIC
George, a pioneer in sport-for-development, co-founded The Big Issue Community Street Soccer Program, which has impacted over 11,000 people from marginalised backgrounds. As National Coach, he uses his passion for sport to inspire stronger, healthier communities and address key social issues.
Joel Orchard
Wardell CORE Neighbourhood Centre
Wardell, NSW
Joel is a visionary leader in community resilience and disaster recovery. He is the co-founder and director of WardellCORE, a grassroots-led response to the 2022 Northern Rivers floods. WardellCORE has become a trusted hub for disaster response and community wellbeing, supporting vulnerable populations through initiatives focused on food security, mental health programs, and social connection.
Community Services – Team Excellence
Cherished Pets Foundation Care Team
Cherished Pets
Ocean Grove, VIC
The Cherished Pets Foundation Care Team supports vulnerable people in Geelong by providing veterinary and social services, ensuring pets remain with owners during crises. In 2024, 75 volunteers delivered 2,600 hours, offering crisis care, home visits, and vital community support.
Cockburn Aboriginal Ear Health Program Team
Cockburn Integrated Health
Success, WA
The Cockburn Aboriginal Ear Health Program Team is recognised for its work in helping close the gap in ear health for Aboriginal children in Western Australia. Delivered by Cockburn Integrated Health in collaboration with a range of service providers, it ensures accessibility and cultural safety while addressing long public wait times. More than 400 Aboriginal children are seen by the team each year, resulting in life-changing impacts for children and families.
Education Pathways Program Team
Launch Housing
South Melbourne, VIC
The Education Pathways Program (EPP) Team is recognised for its vital work in improving educational outcomes for children experiencing homelessness and family violence. Since the program’s inception, over 1000 children have re-engaged with education, making a real difference in helping break the cycle of disadvantage.
Ends.
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Sam Riley
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(03) 8660 1684