celebrating Innovation & Leadership: The 2025 HESTA Excellence Awards Recognize Champions in Healthcare & Community Services
The healthcare and community services sectors are built on dedication, compassion, and a relentless pursuit of improvement.Recently, the 2025 HESTA Excellence Awards shone a spotlight on individuals and teams embodying these qualities, recognizing their transformative work and commitment to those they serve. This article delves into the achievements of these award winners,highlighting their impact and offering insights into the innovative approaches driving positive change.
Recognizing Excellence Across the Spectrum
The HESTA Excellence Awards celebrate outstanding contributions in aged care, disability services, and broader community support. Each of the eight winners received $7,500 to further their education, enhance their services, or invest in team progress.Let’s explore the remarkable achievements of these leaders:
Individual Leadership Awards:
Emma Payne, Founder of The Daisie Chain: Recognized for her groundbreaking approach to dementia care, Payne’s work prioritizes connection, dignity, and joy for individuals living with dementia, their families, and care professionals. Emma Weatherley, CEO & Managing Director of FSHD Global Research Foundation: Weatherley’s leadership in the fight against Facioscapulohumeral Muscular Dystrophy (FSHD) is particularly inspiring, as she herself lives with the condition. George Halkias, The Big Issue Australia: Honored for his individual leadership within the community services sector.
nutritionist (Name withheld): A dedicated professional working to elevate the quality of food and nutrition within aged care facilities.
Team Excellence Awards:
FSHD Global Research Foundation, Sydney, NSW: This team is at the forefront of research and support for individuals and families affected by FSHD.
Mobility and Accessibility for Children and Adults Ltd (MACA), Kew East, Vic: their dedication to improving mobility and accessibility for all is truly commendable.
Launch Housing, South Melbourne, vic (Education Pathways Program Team): This team is empowering individuals through innovative education pathways.
Transformative Impact: Spotlight on Emma Payne & The Daisie Chain
Emma Payne’s The Daisie Chain isn’t just a dementia-kind café; it’s a revolution in how we approach dementia care. Payne understands that true care goes beyond medical needs. It’s about fostering emotional connection and recognizing the individual within.
“It’s being with people when they’re emotional or vulnerable, entering their world, and understanding what they need in that moment and helping to meet it,” Payne explains. Her interactive programs and practical resources create a space where residents, families, and professionals can connect, share joy, and experience dignity. Imagine the power of a resident, previously non-verbal, spontaneously singing – a testament to the impact of Payne’s compassionate approach.
[Image of Emma Payne, Founder of The Daisie Chain]
Emma Payne, Founder of The Daisie Chain.
Empowering Patients & Driving Research: Emma Weatherley & FSHD Global Research Foundation
Emma Weatherley’s journey with FSHD fuels her unwavering commitment to finding treatments and a cure. As CEO and Managing Director of the FSHD Global Research Foundation, she’s not only leading the charge but also empowering those living with the condition.
Her vision lead to the creation of the ‘CURE FSHD’ app, a patient-led disease registry. This innovative tool centralizes crucial medical data, giving individuals control over their health journey and facilitating participation in clinical trials.”Seeing someone shift from feeling isolated and invisible to becoming informed, engaged and trial-ready is deeply fulfilling,” weatherley shares. “To lead this Foundation, to amplify the voices of our community and help drive progress towards treatments and a cure, is an honor and gives my life great purpose.”
[Image of Emma Weatherley, CEO and Managing Director of FSHD Global Research Foundation]
Emma Weatherley, CEO and Managing Director of FSHD Global Research Foundation.
Beyond Individual Achievements: A Wave of Positive Change
The HESTA Excellence Awards also highlighted broader initiatives making a significant difference. these included:
Improved Transport Safety: Teams dedicated to enhancing transport safety for people with disabilities and their families.
* Active Aging: An exercise challenge that saw aged care residents collectively cycle 546 km, promoting physical activity and community engagement.