NSW Care Providers Win Top HESTA Excellence Awards | Mirage News

Overview of the 2025 HESTA Excellence Awards

The HESTA Excellence Awards are a prestigious annual event that recognises outstanding contributions within Australia’s aged care, allied health, disability, and community service sectors. The 2025 ceremony highlighted eight winners selected from over 420 nominations, showcasing the breadth of talent and dedication within these vital industries. The awards aim to celebrate individuals and teams who demonstrate exceptional leadership, innovation, and compassion in improving health outcomes for Australians.

HESTA, a specialist superannuation fund for health and community service workers, sponsors the awards to shine a spotlight on the professionals who often work behind the scenes to enhance quality of life. Each winner receives a $7,500 prize, funded by ME, a subsidiary of Bank of Queensland (BOQ), supporting further education, service improvements, or team development initiatives.

This event not only acknowledges personal achievements but also inspires the broader health and community sectors to strive for excellence. The awards foster a culture of continuous improvement and innovation, encouraging care providers to develop new strategies that better support vulnerable populations across the country.

Emma Payne’s Transformative Leadership in Dementia Care

Emma Payne, founder of The Daisie Chain in the Sutherland Shire, NSW, was honoured in the Aged Care – Individual Leadership category for her pioneering work in dementia care. Her approach combines innovation with deep compassion, focusing on creating meaningful connections and enhancing the quality of life for people living with dementia. Emma’s programs include interactive activities, a dementia-friendly café, and practical resources designed to support not only individuals but also their families and care staff.

Her work is characterised by an empathetic understanding of dementia, emphasising the importance of ‘being present’ with individuals during moments of vulnerability. Emma’s initiatives encourage engagement and joy, fostering environments where people with dementia can express themselves and maintain dignity. The surprise and delight witnessed when a normally non-verbal resident sings during an activity exemplify the profound impact of her approach.

Beyond direct care, Emma advocates for systemic improvements within aged care settings. By training staff and creating supportive community spaces, she helps to dismantle the stigma surrounding dementia. Her leadership exemplifies how creativity, empathy, and practical solutions can transform aged care experiences for some of the most vulnerable members of society.

Emma Weatherley’s Impact on Disability Services and FSHD Research

Emma Weatherley, Managing Director of the FSHD Global Research Foundation in Sydney, NSW, received the Disability Services – Individual Leadership award for her groundbreaking efforts in combatting Facioscapulohumeral Muscular Dystrophy (FSHD). Living with FSHD herself, Emma’s leadership is deeply personal and driven by a commitment to improve the lives of those affected by this progressive muscle-wasting disease.

A key innovation led by Emma is the creation of the world’s first patient-led disease registry through the 'CURE FSHD' app. This platform centralises medical data, empowering patients to take an active role in managing their health while facilitating participation in clinical trials. The registry not only enhances research capabilities but also fosters a sense of community and shared purpose among those living with FSHD.

Emma’s work highlights the power of patient-centred leadership in driving medical research and advocacy. By amplifying the voices of individuals with FSHD and promoting collaboration between patients, researchers, and healthcare providers, she is accelerating progress toward effective treatments and ultimately a cure.

The Broader Significance of the HESTA Awards for NSW Care Providers

The recognition of Emma Payne and Emma Weatherley at the HESTA Excellence Awards underscores the vital role NSW care providers play in advancing health and wellbeing. Their achievements serve as beacons of innovation and compassion, inspiring other professionals across the state and nation to elevate their practice and embrace new approaches to care delivery.

Such accolades bring much-needed visibility to the challenges and triumphs within aged care and disability services. By celebrating exemplary leadership and creative solutions, the awards encourage a culture of excellence that benefits care recipients, families, and communities.

Moreover, the financial support accompanying these awards enables recipients to invest in further education and service development. This reinvestment fosters ongoing improvement and capacity-building within NSW’s health and community sectors, ensuring sustained positive impacts over time.

Innovative Programs and Initiatives Highlighted at the 2025 Awards

Beyond the individual winners, the 2025 HESTA Excellence Awards showcased a range of innovative programs that are transforming care practices across Australia. For example, one winning team encouraged aged care residents to collectively cycle 546 kilometres, promoting physical activity and social engagement in a creative exercise challenge.

Another winner focused on enhancing nutrition in aged care homes, working as a nutritionist to improve food quality and dietary outcomes for residents. Their work addresses a critical yet often overlooked aspect of aged care, recognising the link between nutrition and overall health.

Additionally, a team dedicated to improving transport safety for people with disabilities and their families was honoured. Their efforts ensure safer, more accessible travel options, reducing barriers and enhancing independence for individuals with disabilities.

The Role of HESTA and ME in Supporting Health and Community Services

HESTA, as a superannuation fund dedicated to health and community service workers, plays a pivotal role in recognising and supporting excellence within these sectors. By hosting the Excellence Awards, HESTA not only rewards individual and team achievements but also fosters a culture of innovation and leadership.

ME, a subsidiary of the Bank of Queensland (BOQ), has been a longstanding supporter of the awards, providing financial backing that enables winners to further their professional development and improve service delivery. Greg Boyle, BOQ Group Executive of Retail Banking, emphasised the importance of these contributions in strengthening the industry and acknowledging the dedication of care providers.

This partnership between HESTA and ME exemplifies how financial institutions can contribute meaningfully to social impact initiatives, helping to build a stronger, more resilient health and community services workforce.

Future Outlook for NSW Care Providers Inspired by Award Winners

The success of NSW winners Emma Payne and Emma Weatherley offers a hopeful outlook for the future of care services in the state. Their innovative models and patient-centred approaches provide templates for others seeking to enhance the quality and effectiveness of aged care and disability support.

As awareness of these achievements grows, it is anticipated that more organisations will adopt similar strategies, fostering environments where compassion, dignity, and empowerment are central to care delivery. This shift can lead to improved outcomes for individuals and families across NSW and beyond.

Furthermore, the continued investment in education and innovation supported by awards such as HESTA’s ensures that the workforce remains skilled, motivated, and equipped to meet evolving community needs. This bodes well for the sustainability and advancement of health and community services.

Conclusion

The 2025 HESTA Excellence Awards have spotlighted the exceptional dedication and innovation of care providers across Australia, with New South Wales proudly represented by Emma Payne and Emma Weatherley. Their transformative work in dementia care and FSHD disability services exemplifies the power of compassionate leadership and patient-centred innovation. Supported by HESTA and ME, these awards not only celebrate individual achievements but also catalyse ongoing improvements across the health and community sectors. As the care landscape continues to evolve, the inspiring contributions of these winners set a high standard for excellence, ensuring better health and wellbeing outcomes for Australians now and into the future.