We created the Lifetime Achievement Awards to recognise Queenslanders who have had lifetime careers in the mental health, alcohol and other drugs, or suicide prevention sectors, demonstrating leadership and significant contribution to reform.
These awards are presented annually at our Leading Reform Summit and are open to nomination from the sector and the community.
Why is this important?
The Lifetime Achievement Awards honour the significant and lifetime work by individuals in the mental health, alcohol and other drugs, and suicide prevention sectors.
Recognising and celebrating people’s achievements and commitment over many years is an important acknowledgement of the considerable and sustained effort required to achieve system reform and change.
Eligibility and award criteria
The Lifetime Achievement Awards are conferred in recognition of service over 20 years, and exceptional leadership and achievements or contributions to mental health, alcohol and other drugs, and/or suicide prevention reform.
Nominees should be Queenslanders or people who have spent a significant time contributing to Queensland, and may be draw from the private, public and non-government sectors, lived experience and peak bodies, and academia.
Ideal nominees are people about to retire or who have retired, though this is not a requirement.
Lifetime achievement may be demonstrated against one of more of the following criteria:
- Criterion 1: History of service
The nominee’s history of service to the mental health, alcohol and other drug, and/or suicide prevention sectors—in particular, positions of leadership the nominee has held such as on boards or as chair of committees. Any other known history, such as participation on committees and workgroups, and any examples of the nominee representing the sector officially as a liaison to other organisations or at state, national or international meetings.
- Criterion 2: Leadership impact and significant contribution to reform
The nominee has established and distinguished leadership in mental health, alcohol and other drug, and/or suicide prevention including, but not limited to, positively leading and influencing policy and/or practice at a state, national or international level. This may include government committees and workgroups, advocacy, senior positions, other training, mentoring or committee participation. How have they made a difference?
The Queensland Mental Health Commissioner selects award winners from the nominees and will consult as appropriate.
Submit a nomination
The Lifetime Achievement Awards are open to nomination from the sector and the community.
Two people are required to support an award nomination.
You should include a statement of the case for the nominated individual, with regards to the award criteria. Letters of support from others to support the nomination are encouraged but not required.
Please prepare your responses in advance of submitting your nomination via the online nomination form.
Once you have submitted your nomination you will receive a confirmation email with the details of your submission. Should you wish to change any aspect of your nomination, please contact us at summit@qmhc.qld.gov.au.
Nominations for the Lifetime Achievement Awards are currently closed. Read about our 2024 recipients here.
