Winners

Damien Oliver

Damien Oliver, known affectionately as Ollie, is a legendary figure in Australian horse racing, boasting a career spanning five decades filled with remarkable achievements. Hailing from Byford, Perth, with a family deeply rooted in racing, Ollie’s journey began galloping ponies bareback in the bushland behind his home. Rising swiftly through the ranks, he garnered his first win at just 15 years old in Bunbury before transitioning to Melbourne to pursue greater opportunities.

Throughout his illustrious career, Ollie amassed an impressive 129 Group One wins, including three iconic Melbourne Cup victories. Among these, the emotional 2002 triumph aboard Media Puzzle, days after the tragic loss of his brother, remains etched in racing history. Ollie’s farewell race at Ascot in 2023 drew a massive crowd, highlighting his enduring popularity and significance to the sport.

Beyond the racetrack, Ollie has been a beacon of support for injured jockeys, establishing the Oliver Foundation in honour of his father and brother, who lost their lives in racing accidents. This initiative paved the way for the National Jockeys Trust, providing crucial assistance to jockeys and their families during times of hardship. Despite facing his own challenges, including a broken spine, Ollie remains committed to fundraising and mentoring aspiring jockeys.

His dedication extends to promoting racing locally, participating in programs like Equine Pathways Australia’s ‘Life after Racing’ initiative. Ollie’s visits to schools and involvement in community events reflect his deep connection to Western Australia, where his influence has left an indelible mark on the sport and its community.

Kim Collard

Kim Collard, a Balladong-Wilman man, boasts a distinguished career spanning the public sector, higher education, and business, leaving an indelible mark on Aboriginal communities and broader society. Transitioning from a boilermaker to the police force, Kim embarked on a decade-long academic journey at Curtin University, where he held pivotal roles in Indigenous cultural studies, preserving the Balladong dialect and educating others on First Nations culture.

Kim’s enterprising spirit flourished with the establishment of two successful businesses, Kulbardi and Kooya Australia Fleet Solutions, both making significant strides in the mining sector. Leveraging his success, Kim created the Bibbulmun Fund, investing in community projects and returning one million dollars to support Aboriginal people, ranging from education initiatives to flood relief efforts in the Kimberley. The unique and innovative indigenous-led organisation has the key goal of facilitating positive change ‘for Aboriginal people by Aboriginal people’.

As an inadvertent mentor, Kim has paved the way for young Aboriginal entrepreneurs, offering guidance and employment opportunities, fostering a new generation of business leaders. Over a decade of philanthropy, Kim has supported 19 charitable organisations, funding projects like the Pinnacle Foundation Bibbulmun Scholarship and essential medical equipment in remote areas. Kim has also funded two dialysis machines in Cooper Peedy, so locals with renal failure can stay close to country for treatment, rather than travelling long distances to a capital city.

Kim’s trailblazing leadership in Indigenous business and philanthropy underscores his commitment to Aboriginal self-determination and long-term solutions, setting a precedent for Indigenous-led initiatives nationwide.

Caroline Wood AM

Caroline Wood AM, co-founder, and CEO of the Centre for Stories has pioneered a safe and inclusive space for underrepresented and marginalised communities to share their narratives through written and oral storytelling. Recognising the exclusion of diverse writers from the competitive publishing world, Caroline established the Centre to provide inclusive support and mentoring opportunities for emerging writers from minority backgrounds.

Since its inception, the Centre has mentored 65 writers through an intensive three-year program, over 1000 people have been coached in oral storytelling, the youth program has reach approximately 500 young people and we have reached audiences of over 30,000. Caroline, a migrant and woman of colour herself, advocates for challenging societal stereotypes and embracing diversity, inclusion, and lived experiences.

The Centre primarily engages with new migrants, asylum seekers, refugees, First Nations people, the LGBTQI+ community, and individuals with disabilities. Currently, Centre for Stories youth program mentors young people from complex and under-resourced communities to share stories about who they are and what matters to them.

Caroline’s dedication to increasing representation for minority groups and driving social change has created a welcoming community where stories are shared, taught, and learned. Her work has the potential to profoundly impact individuals feeling isolated or marginalized, offering them narratives with which they can identify.

Beyond the Centre for Stories, Caroline has contributed significantly to the WA arts scene through various projects, including co-founding Margaret River Press and Australian Short Story Festival. A current board member of Creative Australia she has also served on the boards of Amnesty International and the Small Publishers Network, demonstrating her ongoing commitment to diversity and cultural representation in the community.

Christina Matthews AM

In her 12-year tenure as CEO of the Western Australian Cricket Association (WACA), Christina Matthews AM has led a remarkable transformation of the sport, demonstrating courageous and effective leadership. Under her guidance, WA cricket evolved from a $24 million business into a $43 million business, marked by strategic initiatives and a culture of success.

A pivotal achievement was negotiating the move to Optus Stadium, unlocking new revenue streams, and revitalising the membership structure. Chris’ visionary leadership also drove a $164 million redevelopment project at the WACA precinct, emphasising inclusivity and Aboriginal heritage, with features such as an all-abilities playground and sensory rooms.

Dedicated to diversity and inclusion, Chris established The WA Cricket Foundation, raising $4 million to enhance cricket access, particularly for disadvantaged and disabled individuals. She introduced Pride Rounds in the Big Bash leagues, fostering a more inclusive sporting environment.

She has championed involvement in the game from a grassroots level, significantly improved opportunities for women in the sport, encouraged diversity and disability programs as well as breeding a culture of success in the elite teams.

Beyond cricket, Chris advocates for gender equality and diversity in sports leadership, challenging stereotypes, and inspiring future leaders. She leads a pro-bono service connecting elite female athletes with mentors, ensuring they receive support beyond their sporting careers.

Chris’s tenure at WACA reflects her commitment to business success and community engagement, making her a beacon of leadership and inclusion in the sporting industry.

Mitch Messer

Mitch Messer, a stalwart advocate for the Cystic Fibrosis (CF) community for over 40 years, draws upon personal experience after losing two brothers to the condition. His advocacy journey began as a teenager, recognising the disconnect between researchers and the CF community, prompting his mission to improve research processes with a focus on community needs.

As President of Cystic Fibrosis WA, Mitch initiated impactful initiatives based on community feedback, leading to the establishment of home support services still in operation today. In his current role at Telethon Kids Institute, he bridges the gap between researchers and the community, mentoring and facilitating collaboration to translate research into meaningful improvements.

A highlight of his advocacy career was advocating for funding of CF therapies like Trikafta, transforming the lives of thousands since 2019. Mitch’s efforts emphasized the personal benefits of these treatments, rallying public support and ensuring consumer voices were heard in decision-making processes.

Driven by his own CF journey, Mitch remains committed to ensuring equitable access to life-changing treatments for all CF patients. Despite his extensive advocacy, he believes his work is not complete until every individual can benefit from breakthrough therapies.

As a founding member of the Health Consumers Council WA, Mitch champions consumer-centric healthcare, advocating for improved access and outcomes. His unwavering dedication underscores his belief in the power of consumer voices to drive positive change in the healthcare system.

John Curtin Distinguished Professor Steven Tingay

Steven Tingay’s career started at age five with a passion for space ignited by a book. He is a distinguished figure in astronomy and astrophysics, serving as the founder and Executive Director of the Curtin Institute for Radio Astronomy (CIRA), Deputy Executive Director of the International Centre for Radio Astronomy Research (ICRAR), and Director of the Murchison Widefield Array (MWA). Notably, Tingay played a crucial role in securing half of the Square Kilometre Array (SKA) project for Western Australia, positioning the state as a global leader in astronomy – a project he has been involved in for close to 25 years. Steven’s leadership of the MWA, and its success, was seen as a key factor in WA being selected for the two billion Euro multinational SKA initiative. Steven’s leadership of the MWA assisted in proving WA had the location, capacity, workforce, and motivation to build and operate a telescope to the scale of the SKA project.

From here, WA is poised to be forefront in discovering the early Universe’s deepest mysteries with construction of hundreds of thousands of antennas now underway in our state. This endeavour aims to illuminate the origins of the first stars and galaxies, while delivering extensive benefits to science, society, and Western Australia’s economy.

He initiated collaboration with Indigenous communities, resulting in innovative projects like the “Ilgarijiri” art exhibition and the film “Star Dreaming,” which blend astrophysics with traditional cultural knowledge. Additionally, Tingay is actively involved promoting astronomy through public engagement, participating in speaking engagements, school visits, and open days, reflecting his commitment to merging science with cultural and educational outreach.

Damien Oliver

Damien Oliver, known affectionately as Ollie, is a legendary figure in Australian horse racing, boasting a career spanning five decades filled with remarkable achievements. Hailing from Byford, Perth, with a family deeply rooted in racing, Ollie’s journey began galloping ponies bareback in the bushland behind his home. Rising swiftly through the ranks, he garnered his first win at just 15 years old in Bunbury before transitioning to Melbourne to pursue greater opportunities.

Throughout his illustrious career, Ollie amassed an impressive 129 Group One wins, including three iconic Melbourne Cup victories. Among these, the emotional 2002 triumph aboard Media Puzzle, days after the tragic loss of his brother, remains etched in racing history. Ollie’s farewell race at Ascot in 2023 drew a massive crowd, highlighting his enduring popularity and significance to the sport.

Beyond the racetrack, Ollie has been a beacon of support for injured jockeys, establishing the Oliver Foundation in honour of his father and brother, who lost their lives in racing accidents. This initiative paved the way for the National Jockeys Trust, providing crucial assistance to jockeys and their families during times of hardship. Despite facing his own challenges, including a broken spine, Ollie remains committed to fundraising and mentoring aspiring jockeys.

His dedication extends to promoting racing locally, participating in programs like Equine Pathways Australia’s ‘Life after Racing’ initiative. Ollie’s visits to schools and involvement in community events reflect his deep connection to Western Australia, where his influence has left an indelible mark on the sport and its community.

Nicolette Beard

Nicolette Beard, co-founder of We Are WomXn and an Advocate for gender equality and the prevention of sexual violence against women, is passionately championing for improved sex-education for young people, focusing on critical topics of healthy relationships, consent, and mental wellbeing.

Recognising the gap between school curricula and the practical needs of young people, Nicolette and her team offer educational programs that tackle complex issues in approachable ways.

With a background in Health Promotion and then Education, Nicolette formed We Are WomXn in 2021 with co-founder Kate Raston. Since then, the program has reached over 15,500 young people across WA, creating safe and supportive spaces led by trained volunteers. These evidence-based and trauma-informed programs aim to enlighten and support young individuals on complex and essential topics in a relaxed, safe and supportive environment.

Nicolette’s commitment extends beyond the classroom; she fosters an online community for ongoing support and guidance and speaks out publicly to promote the values of the We Are WomXn programs. Initiatives like regional trips to engage disengaged young women in local communities and university-based consent promotions demonstrate the breadth of her efforts.

Collaborations with community groups such as Sea Gals, Koya Aboriginal Corporation, Purposeful, and Zero2Hero further expand their reach, highlighting Nicolette’s dedication to empowering young individuals with knowledge and support to navigate challenging situations. Through these initiatives, Nicolette’s passion in helping young people navigate complex issues is clear, channeling the power of education through honest conversations.