Meet our
2025 winners

Our mental health heroes, recognised

• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples Award

  Sponsored by headspace

  Ngak Min Health

  Queensland’s only accredited health clinic located within a school, dedicated to the wellbeing of First Nations children and young people. Its Social and Emotional Wellbeing Program provides wraparound, culturally safe support embedded in daily school life, breaking down barriers to access and reducing stigma. Students are supported to build resilience, emotional literacy, and strong connections to culture and community, while also improving school engagement and success. By combining health care, education and cultural identity, Ngak Min Health is setting a new benchmark for preventative, inclusive mental health care for First Nations families.

• Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) Award

  Townsville Medicare Mental Health Centre with Townsville Multicultural Support Group

  Townsville Medicare Mental Health Centre and Townsville Multicultural Support Group have joined forces to improve the mental health and wellbeing of refugees and migrants in North Queensland. Their innovative partnership combines professional mental health care with grassroots cultural support, breaking down barriers of language, stigma and access. With walk-in services, multilingual resources, transport assistance and a dedicated Community Engagement Officer, the collaboration ensures CALD individuals feel welcomed and connected. Together, they provide free, culturally safe care that supports recovery, builds confidence, and strengthens community cohesion, creating a powerful model of inclusive, community-driven mental health support.

• Early Years Award

  Motherhood Village

  Motherhood Village is a Gold Coast-based charity providing free, peer-led mental health support from pregnancy through the early years of parenthood. Founded by mothers with lived experience of perinatal mental ill health, its safe and inclusive groups reduce isolation and build community during one of life’s most vulnerable times. The service offers early intervention for challenges including depression, anxiety, trauma and grief, while connecting families to specialist care when needed. With empathy and cultural responsiveness at its heart, Motherhood Village is creating stronger, healthier families and ensuring no parent has to face the journey alone.

• Jeff Cheverton Individual Award

  Sponsored by Queensland Alliance for Mental Health (QAMH)

  Dr. Frances Dark

  Dr Frances Dark is a psychiatrist whose four decades of work have transformed access and inclusion in mental health care. She founded Australia’s only Deafness and Mental Health Service, co-developed Queensland’s First Nations Open Disclosure Guide, and pioneered rehabilitation psychiatry initiatives that prioritise recovery and dignity. Her leadership has fostered innovative services, from residential rehabilitation to cognitive remediation therapy, while her advocacy has amplified the voices of marginalised groups. Recognised with an Order of Australia Medal in 2022, Dr Dark continues to shape mental health care nationally, championing compassion, equity, and person-centred practice.

• Jude Bugeja Lived Experience Excellence Award

  Sponsored by The Royal Australian & New Zealand College of Psychiatrists

  Rachel Hinds

  Rachel Hinds draws on her lived experience as a queer woman and survivor of her brother’s suicide in her role as CEO of Open Doors Youth Service. Her leadership has expanded safe, identity-affirming mental health support for LGBTIQA+ young people across Queensland. Rachel has championed social justice by embedding lived experience in every level of service delivery, dismantling systemic barriers, and amplifying youth voices in policy and advocacy. Her bold, compassionate leadership is transforming how services are designed and delivered, ensuring young people can access care that reflects their identity, fosters resilience, and supports recovery.

• LGBTQIA+ Award

  Open Doors Youth Service Inc.

  Open Doors Youth Service (ODYS) is Queensland’s only dedicated service for LGBTIQA+ Sistergirl and Brotherboy young people aged 12–24. For 25 years, ODYS has provided safe, identity-affirming spaces through counselling, case management, psychosocial programs and crisis support. Staffed largely by people with lived experience, the service fosters pride, resilience and connection while addressing systemic barriers such as discrimination and exclusion. With regional outreach, peer-led groupwork and innovative programs designed with young people, ODYS is more than a service-it is a movement leading change for LGBTQIA+ youth mental health across Queensland.

• Not-for-Profit Organisation Award

  Sponsored by CheckUP

  Richmond Fellowship Queensland (RFQ)

  Richmond Fellowship Queensland (RFQ) is a leading community organisation supporting more than 11,500 clients each year across 20 Queensland locations and nationally via telehealth. With over 50 years of experience, RFQ delivers evidence-based, trauma-informed and culturally safe services including suicide prevention, carer support, NDIS programs, and the iconic Recovered Futures Art Exhibition. Lived experience is embedded in service design and delivery, ensuring authenticity and empowerment at every level. Through strong partnerships with health services, universities and community organisations, RFQ continues to innovate and advocate, creating a world where optimal wellbeing is lived by all.

• Schools Award

  Queensland Pathways State College

  Queensland Pathways State College (QPSC) supports young people aged 15–18 who face significant barriers to mainstream education, including trauma, homelessness and mental health challenges. With campuses across Queensland, QPSC provides safe, student-centred learning through a trauma-informed, strengths-based approach. Every student is paired with a Learning and Pathways Mentor for one-on-one coaching around wellbeing, education and career goals, alongside weekly lessons in social, emotional and life skills. Events such as Harmony Day, NAIDOC, Wear it Purple and Mental Health Week foster diversity and inclusion. QPSC is redefining how schools can combine wellbeing, education and agency to create meaningful pathways for students.

• Workplace Award: Community Wellbeing

  Sponsored by Richmond Fellowship Queensland (RFQ)

  Kambu Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Corporation for Health

  Kambu Health is a proudly Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation delivering holistic care across Ipswich and the West Moreton region. Its trauma-informed, culturally safe programs integrate prevention, early intervention and community connection to improve the wellbeing of families. Social and Emotional Wellbeing and Alcohol and Other Drug groups, peer programs and Elder gatherings provide safe spaces for healing, resilience and cultural strengthening. By embedding clinical expertise alongside cultural knowledge, Kambu empowers individuals to embrace identity as part of their recovery. With strong advocacy and inclusive engagement, Kambu is fostering resilient families and building thriving, culturally connected communities.

• Workplace Award: Employee Wellbeing

  Sponsored by Queensland Government

  Sullivan Nicolaides Pathology – VITAL Wellness Program

  Sullivan Nicolaides Pathology (SNP) supports over 3,300 staff across 520 sites through its VITAL Wellness Program, an evidence-based initiative addressing mental, physical and emotional health. Now in its third year, VITAL has reduced requests for mental health support and improved wellbeing outcomes by embedding lasting cultural change. Built on five pillars—mind, exercise, sleep, diet and living well—the program offers counselling, financial literacy sessions, fitness activities and mental health first aid training. With flexible access for regional and shift workers, SNP ensures every employee can benefit. VITAL reflects visionary leadership, proving workplace wellbeing can be inclusive, data-driven and transformative.