Inspirational.Australians by Awards Australia Podcast

In this week’s episode, Geoff is talking to Victoria Pham who was a Finalist in the 2019 7NEWS Young Achiever Awards for NSW/ACT. Victoria was nominated in the Academic Achievement Award and is now undertaking a PhD at the University of Cambridge in Biological anthropology, specifically studying the evolution of signalling and communication in the hopes we can have a better understanding of...

In this week’s episode, Josh is talking to Aimen Jafri who was a Winner in the 2021 Tasmanian Community Achievement Awards: Aimen Jafri is part of the Multicultural Council of Tasmania, Pakistani Cultural Society of Tasmania, and Shia Association of Ahl-e-Bayt Tasmania. In December 2020, she organised a Women’s Gala attended by women from all walks of life who showcased their businesse...

Belinda Adams, became a carer for her eldest son after he sustained a traumatic brain injury in a near fatal car accident in 2012, prompting her to drive around Australia on “Belinda’s Big Bus Tour for Brain Injury Awareness” distributing resources and raising awareness for people affected by brain injury. A strong advocate for diversity and inclusion, Belinda was then invited to speak at numerous...

Dr Mikaela Seymour is a medical doctor working in Papua New Guinea. Over the last two years she has worked as the only doctor in some of the most remote and rural villages of Western Province PNG, accessible only by grass airstrips. During the global pandemic she was responsible for the COVID19 response and vaccine roll out. Working among a team of PNG health workers, she was responsible for maint...

Owner operator and Master Juggler, Kelly Kuhn (better known as 'Kel') has worked in the South Australian tourism industry for over 20 years, in private enterprise and more government departments than she cares to count. She is the creator of Juggle House Experiences and values the busy life her customers lead. Most recently while starting her tour business, Kelly was the Deputy Mayor of her local...

I am currently employed as a Digital Technology teacher Year 1-6 and coordinate STEM education and Sustainability at Dunsborough Primary School. Previously I taught Drama and Media Arts for many years developing confidence in students and giving them the opportunity to participate in whole school community Musical performances. I have developed and led whole school and community initiatives in sus...

Youth Opportunities has been repeatedly recognised through the Community Achievement awards as an innovator in the space of mental health and social and emotional wellbeing. Each year we engage with more than 2,000 young people from 30+ schools and organisations right across Australia. We work in partnership with schools, community organisations and individual young people to deliver wellbeing and...

Ellie ( founder) began her toxin-free journey when her newborn (Gracie) developed rashes using ‘mainstream’ skincare products. Determined to help her daughter, she dedicated her time to researching product labelling. She was horrified to discover the ingredients involved (and it is safe to say that she became a bit of a toxin-free nerd). When she researched and tested toxin-free products, there we...

Lyndal Denny has a focus on creating safer roads by educating motorists on safe driving practices around heavy vehicles and working to support more women into truck driving careers. Across a eight-year trucking career, Lyndal has driven road trains throughout WA, SA, NSW, QLD, VIC and across the top end through wet season flood waters and fires - transporting everything from cornflakes - to oversi...

In this week’s episode, Geoff is talking to Juanita Hughes who was a Finalist in the 2021 Queensland Community Achievement Awards. Juanita Hughes was diagnosed with younger onset early-stage behavioural variant frontotemporal dementia in mid-2019 at the age of 54. She has since dedicated herself to advocacy. Juanita is a Dementia Australia Dementia Advocate, a Dementia Australia Advisory Committee...

Vasse Valley Hemp Farm is WA's leading hemp foods brand, driving market demand for WA grown hemp seed products. Established in 2017 by husband and wife power-team Chris and Bronwyn Blake, the brand and the business has experienced strong growth despite the challenges of an industry in its infancy. The Vasse Valley brand has broken ground for hemp food products. Their innovative roasted, whole-hemp...

Glen ‘Cookie’ Cook is an International Powerline Safety Specialist / Speaker. He is very passionate advocate for electrical / powerline safety and works closely with workers in the Agricultural, Aviation and Construction industries, speaking face to face of his experiences regarding powerline safety. Cookie is the driving force behind the successful powerline mapping 'look up and live' app. Cookie...

After 25+ years in executive Human Resource Management roles across a range of world-class companies such as Hilton Hotels and Telstra, Mark established an Aged Care business in South Australia with the very clear intent to change the face of ageing - through the provision of a truly unique, compassionate, client-centered and flexible service, delivering the highest quality of care to older people...

Julia Truong established her own events and production business JT. Production Management in 2013, a highly successful business delivering a variety of events such as the Western Chances 10th Anniversary Gala event, Tourism Fest in the West and the Heart Foundation Victoria Healthy Living conference. She then developed her second company JT. Weddings, organising many successful weddings and scorin...

Dr Anosh Sivashanmugarajah is a Dual Advanced Trainee with the Royal Australian College of Physicians completing training in Cardiology & Internal Medicine. He is also an Associate Clinical Lecturer in the School of Medicine at the University of Sydney, University of Queensland and James Cook University. Anosh finished medical schooling from James Cook University in Townsville with an Academic med...

Michael Bonnici contributes over 200 volunteer hours every year. He is Director of Lifesaving, educational speaker and award-winning Patrol Captain at Wanda Surf Club. He also volunteers for Meals on Wheels, Australian Red Cross Blood Service and Salvation Army. Michael raised $3,000 for Samaritans Purse Australia and volunteered time to help build schools in disadvantaged Battambang, Cambodia. He...

At 16 years old Nathan Woodrow began the Ryde Clothing Brand while in High School and recovering from a knee injury which sidelined him for sport for 18 months. During this time Nathan was and still is extremely passionate & driven to create something from his love of sport, adventure and his hometown - Renmark, South Australia. In June 2016 Ryde Clothing was launched with a small range of hand pr...

I am the winner for the 2021 Northern Territory Young Achiever Awards. I am a native title and Aboriginal Land Rights Lawyer working in central Australia. I am a tribunal member for CAAFL, a residential support worker for Alice Springs Youth Accommodation Support Service and a community sports med trainer for CAAFL. I am originally from Adelaide but have called Alice Springs home since early 2019....

Jillian Critchley has made significant impact on the lives of disabled youth. Both her daughters and husband Peter have Charcot Marie Tooth disease (CMT), a hereditary motor and sensory neuropathy of the peripheral nervous system characterized by progressive loss of muscle tissue and touch sensation across various parts of the body. Jill has been a committee member of the CMT Association of Austra...

I’m a writer as well as a disability and inclusion activist. For the past 3 years I have been writing my website about my own story as someone who has cerebral palsy as well as educating people about disability and inclusion. Earlier this year I got awarded Youth Citizen of the Year thanks to the City of Cockburn. I am passionate about the enhancement of community life. Layne is a marketing studen...

Dr Tullio Rossi is an award-winning science communicator, marine biologist and graphic designer. As Founder of the science communication agency "Animate Your Science", he helps researchers tell their story to the world. His engaging video animations and eye-catching graphics make science understandable for everyone, reaching millions of people around the world, thereby creating a real-life impact....

Founder and Director of Racing with Autism Australia. Over 12 years’ experience in the Disability Industry specialising my work in working alongside people on the Autism Spectrum. A confident out going person who loves public speaking and supporting dreams of others. Jess Benge thrives on helping others reach their potential. Jess is the Founder and Director of Racing with Autism in Tasmania, and...

My name is Tara Lord. I am 23 years old, I work as a Youth programs Co-ordinator for a youth counselling and suicide prevention organisation and also work in a psychiatric hostel and as a community rehabilitation worker, I also have a role as a Youth Ambassador with the Mental Health Foundation of Australia and have volunteered with a number of organisations in the community. I have my own lived e...

Hugh Dawson is the Head Stockman at Beetaloo Station in the Northern Territory. Hugh is an outspoken advocate for the northern Australian agricultural industry and is an Alumni member of the Northern Territory Cattleman's Association Future Leaders Program. Now actively involved in the Young Livestock Exporters Network as well as The Livestock Collective, Hugh is passionate in improving the public...

Zelma Tolley is raising awareness and reducing stigma about perinatal mental health. She founded The Postnatal Project during the final stages of her first pregnancy. Zelma built the website and collated all professional service connections in Australia to support mums, dads, families and their village, in their journey to healing. She volunteers for the Perinatal Anxiety and Depression Australia...