Congratulations to the winners in the 2021 Tandem Awards for Exceptional Service to Family and Friends in Mental Health!

The 2021 Awards were particularly special, as they were the first to be held in Tandem's new home, in Trenerry Cresent, Abbotsford. The Awards celebration was combined with the official opening of the new Tandem offices by the Minister for Mental Health, the Hon. James Merlino. A moving and deeply personal Welcome to Country was performed by proud Wurundjeri Gunnai Kurnai Elder, Uncle Ringo Terrick.

The ten awards went to individuals, services and programs that practice compassionate and family-inclusive practice as part of their day-to-day work.

Nominations came directly from family and friends supporting someone with mental health challenges.

A snippet from each recipient's nomination is included with their photo below. Read more about each of the recipients in our inaugural edition of eNews for 2022, on February 8.

To make sure that you receive a copy, become a member of Tandem.

Lifetime Achievement Award

Susan Preece - Family Peer Worker
Orygen Youth Health

Left to right: Minister for Mental Health, the Hon. James Merlino, presents Susan Preece's Lifetime Achievement Award to her colleague, Maureen Swinson.

Susan works as a Family Peer Worker at Orygen Youth Health. She facilitates support groups for the families, friends and allies of people living with mental health challenges. She is deeply passionate about her work and is a staunch advocate for the inclusion of family and friends in the path to recovery. She was agile in transitioning the incredible support services provided by her organisation online during the pandemic. 

To quote one of the nominees, Susan "deserves recognition for the multiple contributions she has made to the mental health system, especially to families of young people with mental health issues".

Award for Excellence in the context of COVID-19

Julia Quin –
Carer Coaching Program
Eating Disorders Victoria

Julia Quin is presented the Award for Excellence in the context of COVID-19 by Tandem Board member, Graeme Doidge.

Julie works with Eating Disorders Victoria and is involved with their Carer Coaching Program - an eight-week, 1:1 online coaching program for families with a young person who has been newly diagnosed with a restrictive eating disorder. The program aims to leave carers feeling more empowered and confident. 

As a carer coach, Julia brings lived experience of supporting young people through to recovery from an eating disorder. She also has a wealth of collective experience from her ongoing peer support work with other families.

Julia and this program have been described as ‘amazing’ with one nominator commenting that "Julia gave me some guidelines and supported me, even when I thought I couldn't continue. She was very kind".

Clinical (Individual) Award

Ian Protheroe – St Kilda Road Mobile Support and Treatment Team

Ian Protheroe is presented his award by Board member Ed Huntingford.

Ian's nominator said that "Ian’s professional support in crisis situations is outstanding. His continuous follow ups with our son to assess his condition and prevent further episodes and hospitalisation is very reassuring".

Community (Individual) Award

Veronica Komodromou – Carer Wellbeing Group Coordinator, Northern Melbourne (Wellways)

Veronica Komodromou receives her award from Board member John Foley.

Veronica received five separate nominations for this award!

She runs a Carer Wellbeing Group in Northern Melbourne through Wellways and has been commended by those nominating her for her compassion, kindness, and dedication.

Amongst the comments that were made by those who nominated, Veronica was described as "very dedicated to her work; she is compassionate and diligent" and "great at bringing people together to offer them respite". 

The Office of the Chief Psychiatrist Award

Dianne Buis - Carer Peer Support Worker at Eastern Health Maroondah Inpatient Unit

Dr Neil Coventry awards the Office of the Chief Psychiatrist Award to Dianne Buis.

Dianne receives positive feedback from all the carers she helps and has developed better communication on ECT for carers, including development of a brochure on the topic to enhance understanding. 

The Chair’s Award

David Neef - Senior Carer Peer Worker
Eastern Health

Left to right: David Neef is presented the Chair's Award by Tandem Board Chair, Dr. Peter McKenzie.

David is Senior Carer Peer Worker Eastern Health. Presenting the award, Dr. McKenzie said that David "is a powerful example of someone, who throughout the years I’ve known him, has and continues to intelligently challenge and doggedly advocate for change of a service system and culture that still struggles to understanding the experiences of families, carers and supporters and the vital role they play in recovery."

David has been described variously as ‘a tower of strength’ with nominees commenting that "so many carers have benefited from his expertise" and "David works tirelessly to encourage independence and improve understanding of many mental health issues".

Carer Lived Experience Workforce (CLEW) Award

Nina Cook - the first Carer Consultant for Aged Persons Services and Senior Carer Peer Worker, Adult Mental Health, Eastern Health

Nina Cook is presented the Carer Lived Experience Workforce (CLEW) Award by Tandem Board member, Katrina Clarke.

Nina has worked for more than eight years worked as a Carer Consultant and Senior Carer Peer Worker at Eastern Health Mental Health program. 

Presenting Nina with her award, Katrina said; "It was evident from the nominations that this year’s recipient of the CLEW Award is someone who has made a tangible difference to the lives of people she supports. She has been descried as an 'unsung hero' - which is something we aim to change with this Award!"

Amongst the comments that were made in support of Nina’s nomination for this Award was one that said; "I was rudderless at the time I met Nina, she showed me pathways to move forward with my life and helped find a way of making things work out for the best".

Clinical (Service) Award

The St Kilda Road Mobile Support and Treatment Team

A representative from the St Kilda Road Mobile Support and Treatment Team collects their award from Board member David Brophy.

The St Kilda Road Mobile Support and Treatment Team team works exceptionally hard to make a real difference for families supporting people living with complex mental health issues. A consumer and her carer expressed their gratitude for and happiness with the support the team offers, stating that "the team gives 100 per cent and helped immensely in the path to recovery".

An elderly couple whose adult son has long endured complex mental health concerns, indicated they could not have managed without the support of this team, saying that "the ongoing support is appreciated by us both and we know if we have any concerns, the wonderful staff of the St Kilda Mobile Support team are always there to listen and offer support."

NDIS Award

Alexandra McLeod – Specialist Support Coordinator, Therapist and Wellbeing Counsellor at Clarable

Alexandra McLeod is presented the NDIS Family Champion Award by Board member Ed Huntingford.

Alexandra was noted for her ability to listen and proactive approach to the work that she does have been highlighted as has her ability to enhance communication and consequently improve the quality of care. 

To quote one nominee, "Alex is kind and supportive and does her job in a family inclusive way. I don’t know how I would have managed with my son’s recent transition from living at home to supported accommodation without her".

The Safer Care Victoria Award

Maureen Swinson - Orygen Youth Access Team

Left to right: Chief Mental Health Nurse, Anna Love, recipient Maureen Swinson, and Safer Care Victoria CEO, Professor Mike Roberts.

Maureen goes over and above to support the carers and significant others of consumers. She is proactive in her approach and uses consumer social networks to provide support, education, and advocacy. 

Maureen has both lived experience of being a carer and is a nurse by qualification. She applies her holistic knowledge and experience to work in concert with members of the treating team. This ensures that consumers receiving care at Orygen Youth Health receive excellent care.

Maureen does not hesitate to support family and carers.  She goes above and beyond, maintains a sense of fairness, and holds much integrity in her role. The inpatient service Orygen offers is much the richer for Maureen.