Outstanding Contribution Award Winner: Anne Koops

Launceston City Mission – Missiondale

Anne has been working for the Launceston City Mission since 2009. During this time Anne has represented Missiondale on numerous committees and programs and has made a significant contribution across Missiondale’s operations that has helped the service to expand and grow into the service it is today.

It was evident to the judging panel that Anne is a ‘quiet achiever’ and someone who, for many years, has been a leading contributor in ‘engine-room’ of Missiondale. In particular, Anne’s commitment to improving the collection and analysis of information and statistics for Missiondale has been instrumental in helping the organisation to increase and secure additional funding. Anne has also clearly been a steady hand that over the years that has ensured the smooth transition of many Tasmanians who have spent time at the Missiondale service.

Individual Award for Excellence Winner: Cherie Eustace

Anglicare Tasmania

Cherie is a health and wellbeing addictions practitioner who has been working in the ATOD sector for over a decade. Cherie has been a strong advocate for those she supports, and is credited with coming up with the concept of the dedicated alcohol and other drug hotline that Anglicare Tasmania launched during COVID, which has supported more than 100 Tasmanians since it began.

It was evident from Cherie’s nomination that she is having an impact on those that she works with and her organisation. Described as a ‘champion’ of the clients she works with, and a ‘crusader against stigma and discrimination’ the panel were impressed with the strength of her advocacy and commitment to finding different avenues to get information and support to those who need it. Cherie’s idea and efforts to help establish the alcohol and drug hotline has meant that many Tasmanians, who may not have accessed a service before, are now receiving support and information.

Minister’s Emerging Leader Award Winner: Kyle Perry

Alcohol, Tobacco and other Drugs Council Tasmania

Kyle is currently the consumer representative coordinator for the ATDC’s consumer representative service. Prior to stepping into that role he was a case manager for Velocity Pathways Transformations. The panel was impressed that it was a consumer representative who nominated Kyle (without Kyle knowing). The testimonial of the consumer representative clearly demonstrated the visible difference Kyle is having, and how he is inspiring others.

Over the past six months Kyle has also led the growth of the consumer representative service, substantially increasing the number of Tasmanians with a lived experience of alcohol and other drugs to access training and contribute as consumer representatives on sector and government projects and consultations. We congratulate Kyle for the great work he is doing in this role. He is clearly having an impact on those he is supporting, and his great work is demonstrating the positive impact that can happen when we invest in strengthening the volume of the voices of consumers – work that is setting the foundation for the future independent consumer organisation for our sector.

Organisation/Program Award for Excellence Winner: ATDC

Ali and her team at the ATDC have been strong advocates for the ATDC sector, especially over the last 18 months during the global pandemic. The ATDC’s representation of the sector has been wide ranging. At all times with a focus on improving the ATOD sector and improving the experiences of those with a lived experience of ATOD use.

The nomination for the ATDC highlighted Ali’s leadership as a particular strength, but also recognised that each of the staff has also contributed to the success of the organisation. The scope and impact of work that the ATDC has delivered in recent years is extensive. Ranging from their anti-stigma work, their continued workforce development, position papers and advocacy, regional meetings and representing the sector on multiple government committees and working groups.

The leadership of the ATDC in 2020 during a global pandemic is of particular note. The organisation communicated regularly with its members and the ATOD sector and worked to advocate for the needs of direct client services who were experiencing increased demands for services whilst also navigating a new way of working. Their advocacy for consumers through the continued push for a much overdue dedicated and funded AOD consumer organisation is another example of why the panel chose the ATDC as the winner of this award.