Staff awards

The Faculty of Health Sciences Employee Values Awards are made available each year to staff who demonstrate the values of excellence, dignity and engagement, in alignment with the faculty’s positioning statement:

The Faculty of Health Sciences aims to be a world leader in its field; recognised for excellence in education, research, service and community engagement in the Health Sciences, striving to promote the dignity of all and the common good.

2025 FHS Employee Values Award	Recipient
Academic Staff	Dr Zachary Conway School of Allied Health Awarded for his exceptional leadership, innovation, and commitment to excellence, Zach has transformed the delivery of one of the Faculty’s largest interprofessional units, ensuring a seamless, high-quality learning experience across multiple campuses. His pioneering “dialogic lecture” approach, outstanding teaching, and dedication to student success have set new benchmarks for engagement and curriculum design. Beyond teaching, Zach contributes through impactful research and community service, consistently modelling integrity, compassion, and collegiality.
Professional Staff	Ashleigh Homer School of Behavioural and Health Sciences Awarded for her outstanding commitment to Excellence, Dignity, and Engagement, Dr. Ashleigh Homer has been the driving force behind the SPRINT Research Centre’s success. Through her meticulous management of complex research processes, proactive support for staff and students, and exceptional collaboration across the University and industry partners, Ashleigh enables world-class research while fostering a culture of respect and collegiality.
Casual Staff	Naomi Carolin-Keyworth School of Allied Health Awarded for her exceptional leadership in cultural education across disciplines and unwavering commitment to Excellence, Dignity, and Engagement, Naomi Carolin-Keyworth has strengthened staff cultural capability, and enriched student learning across allied health disciplines. Her respectful, relational approach and profound cultural knowledge have created lasting impact, fostering culturally safe practice and a stronger, more inclusive learning community.
FHS Team	Melanie Shackel Rebecca Raven Machellee Kosiak Members of the Brisbane Midwifery Academic Team Awarded for their extraordinary resilience and unwavering commitment to ACU’s values of Excellence, Dignity, and Engagement, the Brisbane Midwifery Academic team overcame a 40% reduction in staff to maintain the high-quality delivery of three midwifery programs. They safeguarded student wellbeing and success, strengthened clinical partnerships, and worked tirelessly to secure graduate opportunities, ensuring the preparation of skilled, compassionate midwives to meet Australia’s critical healthcare needs.

Previous years

2024

Faculty of Health Sciences Employee Values Awards - 2024

The Faculty of Health Sciences Employee Values Awards acknowledge and reward FHS staff members who actively demonstrate and engage with the Faculty Positioning Statement and Values, and incorporate them in their day-to-day work.

Five Awards were available in the following categories:

Academic staff;
Professional staff;
Casual/Sessional staff;
Student Research Supervision (Honours & HDR); and
FHS team (>3 staff).

These awards seek to acknowledge staff that demonstrate the FHS values of:

Excellence

Pursuing excellence in education, research, engagement and service in the Health Sciences. Our mission is advanced through innovation, understanding and working towards the highest quality standards, and being courageous and resilient.

Dignity

Respecting the value and work of each person. We centre ourselves on respect, compassion, integrity and inclusiveness with all people and communities. Dignity of the individual is at the heart of our interactions, relationships and partnerships.

Engagement

We are responsive to all our students and stakeholders. We take a collaborative and collegial approach with flexibility to continuously improve health and wellbeing and serve local, national and international communities.

Nominations received this year have been outstanding.

2024 FHS Employee Value Award

Academic Staff

Ms Tamara Boatman

School of Allied Health – Melbourne Campus

Professional Staff

Mr Garth Edwards

School of Allied Health – Brisbane Campus

Casual Staff

Jointly Awarded in 2024

Ms Jane Dennis

School of Allied Health – Strathfield Campus

Mrs Laura Starc

School of Behavioural & Health Sciences – Strathfield Campus

Student Research Supervision (Honours & HDR)

Dr Aniqa Farwa

School of Allied Health – Strathfield Campus

FHS Team

Mr Ronald Trejo,
Miss Olivia McNamara &
Mr Heath Gangell

Members of the Student Appeals Team in the School of Nursing, Midwifery & Paramedicine – Melbourne Campus

2023