A nurse from the Northern Territory alongside a midwife and an organisation from New South Wales were crowned the three major winners of the HESTA Australian Nursing & Midwifery Awards in Melbourne last night.
Now in its 20th year, the awards honour the vital contributions of Australia’s nurses, midwives, nurse educators, researchers, and personal care workers.
Nurse of the Year
Helen Lamech from Healthy Living NT in Alice Springs was recognised for transforming diabetes care across Central Australia. Her work has included developing a culturally safe, peer-mentored community network of over 100 families and establishing the region’s first nurse-led type 1 diabetes clinic. She has directly improved the lives of more than 2,000 people facing significant social, geographical, and cultural barriers to care.
“What I find most rewarding about my work is seeing people become empowered. So much of diabetes education is not just about giving information — it is about helping people understand it, believe in themselves, and feel confident enough to use that knowledge in their everyday lives.”
“What continues to inspire me most is watching people realise that diabetes does not have to define them. Being part of that journey, even in a small way, is something I never take for granted, and it is what continues to motivate me every day as a nurse and diabetes educator.”
Helen plans to use the prizemoney to support her professional development, including to support finishing her studies as a Nurse Practitioner. She also hopes to use the prizemoney to advance diabetes education and support other nurses to continue working in the Northern Territory.
Midwife of the Year
Rochelle Bonning from Campbelltown Hospital was recognised for her 30 years of service advancing woman-centred maternity care. Her critical contributions have included co-founding the Camden and Campbelltown Midwifery Group Practice and leading the establishment of the region’s first publicly funded homebirth program, and one of only 17 nationally.
“Continuity of care has been so rewarding. It is relationship-based care. My favourite is repeat families coming back. I am currently caring for a woman I have cared for six times. Her seventh was a surprise but her first call was to me. How lucky am I?”
“Over the years we have expanded our program to increase the number of midwives working, which means we can take more woman on the program. We have also started new career midwives within our group practice who I have been mentoring, so it’s great to see the new midwives embracing continuity of care.
Rochelle plans to use the prizemoney to purchase equipment for the hospital, including a doppler, and to support professional development opportunities for herself, her daughter – who is also a midwife – and a midwife she mentors.
Outstanding organisation
Recovery Camp was named Outstanding Organisation for 2026. The North Wollongong-based organisation was recognised for its Australian-first therapeutic recreation program, delivering immersive clinical placements for nursing students alongside recovery-focused experiences for people living with mental illness. The organisation has supported over 2,000 students and 1,500 consumers since 2013. The program has been cited in a Productivity Commission report as an effective model for stigma reduction and workforce development.
Recovery Camp Director Christopher Patterson said it was an honour to receive the recognition.
“This award is a meaningful acknowledgement of the role Recovery Camp plays in shaping the future nursing workforce,” Patterson said.
“Seeing students shift from clinical assumptions to genuine, empathetic, person-centred care — and watching people with lived experience grow in confidence and connection — is what makes this work so powerful.”
Each winner will receive $10,000 from the $30,000 prize pool. to be used for professional development or to improve services or processes.
HESTA Chief Experience Officer Lisa Samuels congratulated the winners and finalists, saying the awards provided a reminder of the crucial role nurses and midwives play within communities.
“Their tremendous impact is inspiring, and we thank them for their tireless commitment to making a difference every day,” Ms Samuels said.
“Nurses and midwives support us during some of our most vulnerable and challenging moments, with the HESTA Awards designed not only to recognise leaders in the sector but also to show gratitude for all they do to support people across the country.”
