2024 ARPA ACT Award Ceremony Program

Program of Events

WELCOME

Event Opening - MC, Cam Sullings

ARPA ACT President Welcome - Alasdair Grant

Entrée

Chicken roulade, prosciutto, corn custard, preserved mushrooms, spinach & ricotta GF

Twice cooked pork belly, curried carrot puree, puy lentil & spinach ragu GF

AWARDS PROGRAM

Outstanding Achievement in Return to Work Awards

Outstanding Consultant Awards

Best New Starter Award

Main Course

Pan fried potato gnocchi, goats cheese cream, wild mushroom ragu, spinach V

Grass-fed sirloin, potato galette, house made mustard, watercress, red wine jus GF

AWARDS CONTINUED

Innovation in Return to Work

Exceptional Leadership Award

ARPA ACT President's Award

Length of Service Recognitions

Dessert, tea, coffee served 

Spiced apple pie, cinnamon puff V
Lemon tart, meringue V
Maple pecan pie, Vanilla cream V
Cheesecake, passionfruit V/GFA
Chocolate mousse, honeycomb, raspberries V/GF

- - -

The 2024 ARPA ACT Excellence in Workplace Rehabilitation Awards would not be possible without the valued and generous contributions of our sponsors.

Outstanding Achievement in Return to Work Awards

About the award: Nominations were considered on the merit of a return to work outcome on a particularly complex or unique case, requiring:

  • explanation of the case background and any complex elements
  • and how the consultant overcame barriers and difficulties implementing the Health Benefits of Good Work.

Sponsored by: Capital Clinic

Finalists:

Outstanding Achievement in Return to Work Award – Physical Claim

Nominator's statement of support

Holly Farrance

Altius Group

 Holly's adept handling of a complex physical claim, managing a client with multiple claims and injuries in a demanding pre-injury role, underscores her expertise and confidence in the field, making her a deserving winner.

John Cunningham

Procare Group

 In the words of the case manager, “this great and prompt outcome sits firmly on the shoulders of John. They kept the worker grounded and engaged. They assisted the employer to understand the process and helped all parties to understand the health benefits of early return to work.”

Teila Jaques

Konekt

 Teila is an exemplary consultant who is distinguished by their exceptional dedication and sincerity alongside knowledge and expertise in the injury management field. Teila manages to turn the darkest events in someone’s lives into an opportunity to rebuild and succeed in their rehabilitation, return to work and life.

Outstanding Achievement in Return to Work Award – Psychological Claim

Nominator's statement of support

Gemma Lapsley

Altius Group

 Gemma exhibits exceptional dedication and initiative in their role, displaying profound compassion and understanding of recovery needs. Their outstanding commitment to care shines through, demonstrating a deep sense of responsibility and empathy towards those they work with.

Liana Beauman

Rehab Management

 Liana had the exceptional ability to understand both the clients and stakeholders’ needs, consider all strategic options and develop an effective solution to achieve a RTW goal in a significantly complex environment. She utilises her skill in navigating difficult conversations to expand options and challenge perspectives, to achieve outcomes.

Mark Rigby

Procare Group

 Mark handled a complex, high-risk case with maturity well beyond their years. Mark overcame a number of barriers; not by challenging treaters, or by trying to implement tactical RTW strategies; but by leading with transparency, compassion and integrity.

Outstanding Consultant Awards

About the award: Nominations in the Outstanding Consultant category included outcomes achieved by the consultant, evidence of employer and worker satisfaction, showing

  • how the Health Benefits of Good Work were implemented and 
  • how the consultant’s achievements contributed to the business and the wider industry

Outstanding Consultant Award - Same Employer 

Nominator's statement of support

Emily Denny

The ORS Group

 Emily is a dedicated workplace rehabilitation professional that has foregone working as a treating psychologist. Emily represents excellence in all of their efforts and interactions to promote HBGW, improve psychological health, and epitomises the value of what we do through delivering great RTW outcomes to vulnerable community members.

Kieran Ackhurst

IPAR Rehabilitation

 Kieran is a highly regarded consultant who consistently raises the bar for what quality case management looks like. Their consistent receipt of repeat referrals and positive feedback from all stakeholders continues to set an example for the team within the ACT and is what makes them a worthy recipient of this award.

Kuk Jin Kim

Konekt

 Kuk embodies the essential qualities of a worthy winner; expertise and skill, innovation & creativity, positive impact and influence, collaboration, integrity and perseverance. Above all else he can effectively work with each individual to empower them in their own recovery journey and together achieve positive RTW outcomes.

Kylye Classon

Procare Group

 Kylye entered the industry with 25 years of clinical nursing experience. She has since maintained a 100% RTW rate across both Same Employer and New Employer streams, with a 93/100 NPS score, classifying her customer service as ’World Class’. She is truly outstanding in everything she does.

Outstanding Consultant Award - New Employer

Nominator's statement of support

Amber Jones

IPAR Rehabilitation

 Amber achieves exceptional results through facilitating the rehabilitation and recovery of their clients, and is sought after by referrers due to their dedication to the industry and high quality work. Demonstrating core values of respect and integrity, they promote workplace inclusion and diversity, embodying qualities deserving of this award.

Gemma Lapsley 

Altius Group

 Gemma consistently takes initiative, demonstrating a solution-focused approach. Their expert negotiation skills and ability to tackle difficult conversations enable effective resolution of challenging situations, fostering positive outcomes for all stakeholders.

Timothy Dickson

WorkFocus Australia

Timothy is kind and well regarded by colleagues and clients. He has achieved amazing outcomes but remains incredibly humble and is always aspiring to improve and grow. His calm determination and dedication is infectious and is the driving force behind the amazing outcomes he has delivered in new employer cases.

Best New Starter Award

About the award: Nominations in this category included details of successful case management and professional development undertaken, as well as a statement of management support and how the nominee promoted the Health Benefits of Good Work.

Sponsored by: ACT Pain Centre

Nominator's statement of support

Cheryl Hastie

IPAR Rehabilitation

 Since commencing in workplace rehabilitation, Cheryl has demonstrated unwavering dedication, professionalism, and ability to foster holistic rehabilitation outcomes. Their distinctive blend of empathy, expertise, and commitment to evidence-based practices and person-centred recovery approaches has significantly impacted the lives of their clients, making them a deserving candidate for this award.

Mark Rigby

Procare Group

Mark has embraced what is required to truly help injured workers. They are emotionally intelligent, kind, considerate, ethical and above all else, passionate about the HBGW and they are an absolute pleasure to employ. There is no doubt they will continue to excel in their role.

Ronan Busing

IPAR Rehabilitation

Ronan is a tenacious rehabilitation consultant performing at a level beyond their years. They prove capable of managing barriers and driving cases through proactive case management and strong stakeholder communication. They continue to rapidly develop knowledge of the intricacies of occupational rehabilitation making them a deserving recipient of this award.

Innovation in Return to Work Award

About the award: Awarded to an individual or a group that has developed an innovative approach to a challenge in the workplace rehabilitation industry.

Details of the initiative and the stakeholders involved were considered, and nominees were assessed on how the innovation has improved return to work outcomes or service provision.

Sponsored by: ACT Pain Centre

Winner to be announced at ceremony  

Exceptional Leadership Award

About the award: For demonstrated leadership in the provision of workplace rehabilitation or return to work services. 

Nominees were measured on an assessment of their leadership impact on consultant outcomes and provider performance, and also how they incorporated the Health Benefits of Good Work.

Sponsored by: CGU

Nominator's statement of support

Andrew Robinson

Procare Group

 Andrew epitomises exceptional leadership by fostering growth and development of others. Through visionary guidance and unwavering dedication, they inspire integrity, empathy, and strategic thinking. Their positive impact on the culture and performance of the team, coupled with commitment to nurture and empower our people, makes then a deserving recipient.

Bronwen Stead

Ascent Rehabilitation

 Bronwen's leadership empowers staff to advocate for the crucial role of meaningful work in clients’ recovery, fostering open dialogue and tailored plans for sustainable return-to-work outcomes, thereby prioritising mental health and well-being. Her care and commitment to staff supports them to achieve their best, and uplifts our industry.

Renae Pickering

Procare Group

 Renea's exceptional leadership shines through their relentless dedication, repeated innovation, and genuine care for their team. They lead with integrity and inspire their team to exceed expectations and achieve remarkable results consistently. Their leadership extends beyond their local team, highly regarded, and respected for their knowledge and initiatives nationally.

ARPA ACT President's Award 

About the award: The President’s Award is solely determined by the ARPA ACT President – no nominations are accepted – and is presented to an individual who has demonstrated continuous contribution to the workplace rehabilitation industry over a five year or greater period.

Presented by: Alasdair Grant - ARPA ACT President

Length of Service

The Length of Service recognitions are presented to individuals nominated by their organisation who are currently working for an ARPA member and who have worked in the workplace rehabilitation provider industry for over 10 years (aggregate). 

10 years: 

  • Gill Adams
  • Jung Chung
  • Liz Bleasdale
  • Oliver De Villa
  • Renae Pickering
  • Rochelle Anderson

15 years:

  • Jennifer Ellis

20 years:

  • Jonathan Ford
  • Marion Levy


The 2024 ARPA ACT Excellence in Workplace Rehabilitation Awards would not be possible without the valued and generous contributions of our sponsors.

Award Sponsor

Award Sponsor

Award Sponsor

Event Sponsor