Awards honour excellence, innovation and compassion in palliative care

The 2025 National Palliative Care Awards, proudly presented by Palliative Care Australia in partnership with Silverchain, were celebrated in a glittering ceremony hosted by comedian and palliative care advocate Jean Kittson at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre last night. 

Top honours across eight categories went to: 

• Emeritus Prof Margaret O’Connor AM, Monash University, Palliative Care South East, Victoria - Lifetime Achievement Award  

• Dr Priyanka Vandersman, Flinders University, South Australia - Emerging Leader Award 

• Dr Alison Bowers, Queensland University of Technology, Queensland - Emerging Researcher Award   

• Women’s and Children’s Hospital (WCH) Paediatric Palliative Care Service, South Australia - Outstanding Achievement by a Team  

• Territory Palliative Care, Alice Springs, Central Australia, Northern Territory - Outstanding Achievement in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Care  

• Kevin Stokes, Great Lakes Palliative Care Support NSW - Outstanding Achievement in Volunteering  

• Prof Jennifer Philip, Palliative Nexus Research Group, University of Melbourne, Victoria - Innovation in Palliative Care Award  

• Dr Christine Sanderson, Territory Palliative Care, Northern Territory - Outstanding Achievement by an Individual  

Palliative Care Australia CEO Camilla Rowland said the 2025 award winners and finalists represented the power of compassion, collaboration and innovation in improving the lives of people living with life-limiting illness. 

“Palliative care is about matters of life and death with a focus on enhancing quality of life. These awards are a meaningful way to honour those who deliver care with empathy and excellence. 

“Territory Palliative Care has dominated the evening with Dr Christine Sanderson’s Outstanding Achievement by an Individual honour and the Territory Palliative Care team’s Outstanding Achievement Award in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Care.  

“Emeritus Professor Margaret O’Connor’s recognition with the Lifetime Achievement Award has been inspirational. Margaret is a shining example of someone who has provided visionary leadership in our sector nationally and internationally.  She has helped shape the field for over four decades and it’s wonderful to see the awards celebrate her contribution as a changemaker in palliative care,” Ms Rowland said. 

Ms Rowland said the National Palliative Care Awards would not have been possible without the support of Silverchain. 

“I’d like to thank Silverchain for partnering with Palliative Care Australia to deliver this important event,” Ms Rowland said. 

Silverchain's Executive Director Tamra Bridges said the awards celebrated the best in the sector. 

"These awards shine a light on extraordinary talented individuals and teams whose compassion, skill and dedication transform the experience of care at life's most vulnerable moments," Ms Bridges said.  

"At Silverchain, we're proud to stand alongside the sector in recognising their impact and inspiring excellence in palliative care across Australia."    

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Notes to Editors: 

• Images available on request. More details about each award recipient available here: National Palliative Care Awards 

• Palliative Care Australia holds the Awards every two years to recognise excellence, innovation and leadership in Australia's palliative care sector. 

• The 2025 Awards sponsor, Silverchain Group, is one of Australia’s leading home care specialists, providing health and aged care services to more than 140,000 clients each year. 

• The National Palliative Care Awards brought together over 1120 guests to honour the outstanding contributions of professionals and volunteers working across Australia’s palliative care sector. 

• Over 1,600 delegates are attending the Oceanic Palliative Care Conference (25OPCC) from 10-12 September 2025 in Brisbane. More information about the conference and is available at www.25OPCC.com