Congratulations to our 2025 National Excellence in Allied Health Award Winners!

 

Aunty Miliwanga Wurrben

Craig Dukes Memorial Lifetime Achievement Award

The 2025 Craig Dukes Memorial Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to Rembarrgna woman, Elder and traditional healer, Aunty Miliwanga Wurrben in recognition of her advocacy for the rights of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, cultural leadership, role as an educator for younger generations and commitment to IAHA’s vision and purpose. 

This award was proudly sponsored by Indigenous Allied Health Australia.

 

 

Dr Kate Thompson

Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Allied Health Professional of the Year

The 2025 Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Allied Health Professional of the Year Award was presented to Gooreng Gooreng and Yuggera woman, Dr Kate Thompson in recognition of her commitment to delivering culturally safe and responsive care, contributions to the learning experiences of younger generations and her work to reform health curricula.

This award was proudly sponsored by HESTA.

 

 

Morgan Appleby

Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Early Career Professional of the Year

The 2025 Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Early Career Professional of the Year Award was presented to Gudjal woman, Morgan Appleby in recognition of her positive contributions to her discipline and commitment to culturally safe and responsive care.

This award was proudly sponsored by Health Workforce Queensland.

 

 

Shi-Anne Wallace

Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Allied Health Student of the Year

The 2025 Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Allied Health Student of the Year Award was presented to Shi-Anne Wallace in recognition of her achievements in her pharmacy studies, her leadership and her advocacy to improve the student journey for other Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Shi-Anne is a Mamu woman with connections to the Goreng Goreng Nation.

This award was proudly sponsored by The Australian Dental Council.

 

 

Christine Fernando

Excellence in Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Allied Health Assistant Workforce

The 2025 Excellence in Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Allied Health Assistant Workforce Award was presented to Gamilaroi woman, Christine Fernando in recognition of her leadership and dedication to her community through her work as an Aboriginal Community Support Worker.

This award was proudly sponsored by The Occupational Therapy Council.

 

 

Jena Stephen

Excellence in Cultural Responsiveness

The 2025 Excellence in Cultural Responsiveness Award was presented to Torres Strait Islander woman, Jena Stephen in recognition of her outstanding commitment to cultural safety and responsiveness, her leadership and her dedication to supporting the next generation of allied health professionals. Jenna’s connections are to Meriam Mer and Wagadagam tribes, with clan ties to Ugaramle from Stephen Island (Ugar).

This award was proudly sponsored by The Australian Physiotherapy Council.

 

 

Mikayla Hudson

Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Local Champion

The 2025 Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Local Champion Award was presented to Adnyamathanha, Arabana, Narungga, Ngarrindjeri and Wangkangurru woman Mikayla Hudson in recognition of her leadership, commitment to delivering culturally safe and responsive care and unwavering dedication to local community health outcomes.

This award was proudly sponsored by Health and Wellbeing Queensland.

 

 

 

Dr Brooke Conley

Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Excellence in Research

The 2025 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Excellence in Research Award was presented to Ngiyampaa woman, Dr Brooke Conley in recognition of her work in advancing Indigenous wellbeing through high-quality, culturally responsive physiotherapy research, education and clinical care.

This award was proudly sponsored by Australian Catholic University.