Excellence in disability services

Renae Gunn

Hooves of Hope
Lewison, SA

Renae Gunn, founder of Hooves of Hope and registered Counsellor (MACA), is recognised for her work empowering neurodivergent individuals and people facing mental health challenges through innovative equine-assisted therapy (EAT) and learning (EAL) with the use of retired racehorses. 

Renae integrates neuroscience with Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) to enhance emotional resilience, social skills, and personal growth, collaborating with specialist educators, registered counsellors and psychologists alongside equine specialists. Additionally, Renae has also developed a pioneering EAL program - setting the standard for professional integrity in the sector.

This collaborative approach significantly broadens therapeutic benefits, making sessions affordable and effective for people living with complex conditions such as Autism, Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and Pathological Demand Avoidance. 

Participants have reported significant improvements in emotional regulation and communication skills, reduced anxiety, and improved overall quality of life. 

Renae’s dedication has positively impacted individuals, families, and communities setting a benchmark for equine-assisted services in Australia.

Cassandra Hughes

Down Syndrome WA
Cloverdale, WA

Cassandra is recognised for her compassionate support in helping families affected by Down Syndrome Regression Disorder (DSRD). 

As CEO of Down Syndrome WA (DSWA), Cassandra goes above and beyond to support the DSWA community. She has established a national support network and developed an innovative new assessment and diagnostic tool for parents and healthcare professionals. The assessment and diagnostic tool help families engage with General Practitioners, while support groups offer hope and compassion.

Cassandra launched a pilot data survey, now a national resource with over 50 respondents, to address families' concerns and better understand the scale and impact of DSRD on them. 

Her tireless efforts have provided families with hope, compassion, and access to diagnosis and treatment. Her advocacy has helped raise awareness and united medical teams. 

Families credit Cassandra’s work as life-changing and even lifesaving, with her leadership ensuring people living with Down syndrome receive the support they deserve.

Emma Weatherley

FSHD Global Research Foundation
Sydney, NSW

Emma is a tireless advocate for the Facioscapulohumeral Muscular Dystrophy (FSHD) community. As Managing Director of FSHD Global Research Foundation and living with FSHD herself, Emma’s focus is on finding a cure for this debilitating disease. 

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. 

Emma builds strong partnerships with researchers, policymakers, and medical professionals while offering unwavering support to FSHD patients and helping to answer questions about NDIS applications to support those with mental health struggles. 

Emma is a powerful champion for change, inspiring others to join the fight against FSHD. Her leadership has brought hope to many, including the hope of living a more rewarding life, accessing clinical trials, and receiving treatments that provide relief, ultimately aiming to halt the progression of the disease.

The MACA Team

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 to safe and equitable motor vehicle transport. 

The organisation’s Founder and Chief Executive, Helen Lindner, is a globally recognised expert in the transport of children and young people with disabilities. 

MACA adopts a whole-of-system approach, focusing on building capacity, advancing knowledge, strengthening policies, and driving innovation. 

The team’s advocacy has led to legislative changes throughout Australia, improving access to specialty vehicle restraint systems and accessories, influencing vehicle restraint standards for people with disabilities, and establishing the Australian Safety Assessment Program (AuSAP). Over 200 crash tests have been conducted with products published on MACA’s National Product Register to provide independent safety and product information.

MACA’s training programs have significantly improved the skills of health professionals reduced barriers for families accessing specialty vehicle restraints, and increased awareness of transport laws, helping to transform transport safety for people with disabilities and their families.

‘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’. 

Identifying a critical gap in the early childhood sector, the team responded to an urgent need for targeted, evidence-based training for early childhood educators.

Delivered by a dedicated group of professionals, the course is supported by autism specialists, disability advocates, parents, curriculum developers, and community engagement experts. This collaboration ensures that the training is practical, accessible, and grounded in the latest evidence-based information on autism. 

Offered for free online, the program reaches diverse communities, including those in rural and regional areas, with over 21,000 enrolments nationwide in its first year.  

As a result, early childhood educators are empowered and better equipped to proactively identify developmental delays, create inclusive environments, and effectively engage with and enhance outcomes for autistic children and their families. 

Parkville Disability Identification Project Team

Parkville Precinct Health Services, Victoria
Parkville, VIC

The Parkville Disability Identification Project Team is recognised for developing Australia's first Disability Identifier (DI) questionnaire in hospitals, ensuring individualised, tailored care for people with disabilities. 

Responding to gaps in disability identification, the team co-designed the tool in collaboration with people with lived experience, their carers, and hospital staff, embedding it into the Electronic Medical Record (EMR) and patient portal.

Since its launch in March 2023, over 27,000 patients have completed the DI, with 19.4% of total responders identifying as having a disability. 

The initiative enhances person-centred care by enabling timely adjustments and support for patients. Extensive staff education and evaluation ensure the integration and effectiveness of this approach. The project addresses systemic barriers, improves health outcomes, and informs best practices in disability identification across Victorian and ACT health systems.