2026 ARPA QLD Award Ceremony Program

Andrew Mangham

IPAR Rehabilitation

Andrew brings humanity and heart to every case, transforming complex challenges into meaningful recovery journeys. His cultural sensitivity, advocacy, and commitment to HBGW principles empower workers to regain confidence, purpose, and independence. The case he has been nominated for reflects his consistent portfolio‑wide approach and demonstrates why he is a truly deserving finalist this year. 

Bronwyn Hay

Workfocus Australia

An Allied Health veteran, Bronwyn is a truly outstanding consultant who is passionate about assisting workers in achieving their goals and improving their wellbeing. She uses a holistic approach and has received exceptional results with complex physical claims. 

John Stark

Back On Track

John turned around a stalled ICU shoulder injury and supported the worker back to full 12-hour shifts within three months. He supported the rebuilding of her confidence in movement, engaged and educated the treatment team in evidence-based approaches and addressed employer concerns to support RTW in a challenging environment.

Tegan Gleeson

Rehab Management

Tegan exemplifies excellence in physical RTW leadership, transforming a complex spinal injury claim from stalled, uncertain progress into a safe, durable return to full pre‑injury duties within 11 months. Through decisive coordination, graded duties and practical HBGW application, she delivered an outcome where prolonged incapacity was a genuine risk.

Akash Rooney

Strive OR

Through a structured, evidence‑based application of the HBGW, Akash transformed a complex psychological claim from social withdrawal and loss of identity into renewed confidence, community connection and a sustainable vocational pathway. This outcome restored the worker’s belief in meaningful work and delivered lasting health and wellbeing gains.

Hannah Craig

IPAR Rehabilitation

Hannah demonstrates exceptional compassion, calmness, and persistence in supporting a highly vulnerable client through complex psychosocial risk. Her person-centred approach restored safety, stability, confidence, and purpose, leading to meaningful employment and lifechanging improvement, personifying best practice rehabilitation and showcasing dedication that truly sets her apart as a deserving finalist. 

Mara Bennett

APM Workcare

From no capacity and a contested claim to full‑time employment within five months, Mara made complex steps simple and safe. She kept the claim active, rebuilt routine through graded duties, and converted capacity into a competitive job. The insurer now entrusts complex referrals to this proven, empathetic practitioner.

Scott Le Bherz
Rehab Management

Scott transformed a high‑risk youth psychological claim into a sustained outcome through disciplined application of HBGW, strategic coordination and unwavering focus on independence. By restoring confidence, autonomy and work identity, he enabled a vulnerable young worker to secure paid employment exceeding pre‑injury earnings where long‑term disengagement was a risk.

Ashleigh Hamilton

Rehab Management

Outstanding in both outcomes and method, Ashleigh achieved a 97% same employer RTW rate (31/32 closures) by translating HBGW into practical graded duties, clear stakeholder cadence and early barrier resolution. Employers trust her to stabilise complex claims and deliver safe, sustainable returns to preinjury work.

Ryan Gilliman

Axis Rehabilitation

Ryan combines exceptional return-to-work outcomes with measurable financial impact. He oozes passion and commitment to his job, and to life as a whole which is highly contagious. Widely respected for his human-centred approach and HBGW leadership, he consistently achieves outstanding, sustainable rehabilitation outcomes in complex environments.

Will Pyke

Kinnect 

Will is known for his unwavering dedication, exceptional performance, and profound impact in achieving return to work outcomes. Will's pursuit of excellence, innovative approach to challenges, and remarkable ability to inspire others deserves industry recognition. 

Abbey O'Rourke

Rehab Management

Abbey delivers outstanding New Employer outcomes (81% individual RTW; 16 closures) and lifts team performance through mentoring that supports a 60% RTW rate across 54 cases. Her trauma informed, HBGW aligned practice turns complex psychosocial barriers into safe, sustainable paid employment and sets a benchmark for best practice.

Georgia Jenkins

Kinnect

Georgia delivers key return-to-work outcomes across Southeast Queensland, achieving a 67% new employer services achievement rate and a flawless +100 Net Promoter Score. Through clinical excellence, compassion, and leadership, they champion the Health Benefits of Good Work, mentor colleagues, and strengthen rehabilitation practice in her region.

Lucas Merlin

Workfocus Australia

Lucas is a dedicated consultant who goes above and beyond on his cases. He maintains a significant New Employer portfolio in Southwestern Queensland and has achieved exceptional New Employer outcomes of 68% RTW on these complex claims. He is the very definition of an Outstanding New Employer consultant.

Jamie Hill

Axis Rehabilitation

Beyond Jamie's natural aptitude as a WRP, his outcomes have been outstanding. To date his RTW rate is 94%. We commend Jamie for his dedication, caring attitude, strong negotiation skills and professionalism while maintaining client independence. He exudes our organisation’s values and has become a trusted and reliable team member.

Michael Green

Prudence Rehabilitation

Within 8 months, Michael has demonstrated clinical excellence, professionalism, and a genuine commitment to the Health Benefits of Good Work, consistently translating evidence into meaningful return-to-work outcomes. His maturity, confidence, and measurable impact so early in his tenure makes him an exceptionally deserving finalist of the Best New Starter Award.

Victor Lo

Rehab Management

A standout new starter, Victor has achieved 93% same‑employer and 100% new-employer RTW outcomes across 30 claims and been directly requested 14 times to lead complex matters. His HBGW‑aligned practice using graded duties, practical capacity translation and proactive stakeholder alignment, creates confident workplaces and delivers safe and sustainable outcomes.

Eddie Lau

Rehab Management

Eddie delivered exceptional impact during placement, securing two paid employment outcomes through evidence‑based assessment, purposeful host placements and HBGW‑aligned graded planning. His initiative, professionalism and ability to translate clinical guidance into practical workplace action demonstrate outstanding potential and a genuine, measurable contribution to client outcomes.

Stephanie Walker

Recovre

Stephanie's empathetic, client-centred approach, combined with dedication to learning and innovation, has transformed complex cases into successful RTW outcomes. Her ability to build trust, promote the Health Benefits of Good Work, and develop practical resources sets Stephanie apart as an outstanding emerging professional in vocational rehabilitation. 

Sumi Ravi Chandran

IPAR Rehabilitation

Sumi is a standout emerging consultant whose professionalism, evidence based reasoning, and genuine commitment to client centred practice consistently elevate the quality of her work. Her maturity, reflective approach, and rapid growth demonstrate exceptional potential. She embodies the provider’s values and is truly deserving of finalist as an Outstanding Student.

Axis Rehabilitation

The ‘PREMIUM CARE PROGRAM’ is an innovative service developed from the need to bring evidence based biopsychosocial early intervention injury management to the workplace. As the ‘It Pays To Care (IPTC)’ campaign advocates – Successful Psychosocial matched care systematically identifies workers at elevated psychosocial risk and can deliver targeted and timely interventions to improve outcomes.

JK Corporate Resourcing

The Ambassador Program has measurably reduced workplace violence, lowered staff exposure to aggression by over 40%, and delivered zero incidents during active shifts, proving that prevention-led, workplace-embedded intervention transforms return to work outcomes. This program proves that preventing psychological injury before a claim arises is possible. 

Mindful Building Solutions

Mindful Well-Recovery for bridging the gap between clinical psychological recovery and vocational reality through a proprietary digital diagnostic index and integrated environmental modification. By reframing work as a restorative clinical intervention, this innovation has already secured regulator-level endorsement and achieved a 400% increase in medical referral trust.

Brennan Smith

Rehab Management

An exceptional Queensland-based leader who has hard-wired the HBGW into practice and at scale, building future workforce capability, turning around RTW performance, and delivering over 2,200 return-to-work outcomes in 12-months. Through disciplined governance, coaching and education, Brennan's leadership has produced durable outcomes, high-performing consultants and a lasting industry improvements.

Leah Griffin

Workfocus Australia

Leah is an exceptional leader who fosters a supportive, high-performing, collaborative culture. Leading by example with determination and strong work ethic, she combines her Occupational Therapy background with compassion and approachability to empower her team in delivering outstanding outcomes for Queensland workers and stakeholders.

Melena Musumeci

Kinnect 

A highly respected regional leader who delivers safe, timely and durable return‑to‑work outcomes across Northern Queensland. Through clinical credibility, accountability and people‑focused leadership, Melena has achieved strong RTW performance, exceptional stakeholder trust and sustained team stability in a complex regional environment.