Life Awards
The LIFE Awards, held annually in conjunction with International World Suicide Prevention Day, recognise the outstanding contributions made to suicide prevention in Australia. The Awards are a prestigious national event that attract guests from all areas including business, industry, media, community, government, youth and medicine – all with an interest in suicide prevention.
Each year we receive nominations from all over Australia which showcase the exciting, new, innovative and diverse range of programs that are being undertaken within the field.
Nominations range from mainstream programs to local ‘grass roots’ organisations and dedicated individuals. The Awards celebrate the commitment and energy of the nominees and their vital contribution to the reduction of suicide within our communities.
Each year we strive to receive more nominations than in previous years, and in 2010 we hope to achieve this again. This year Suicide Prevention Australia is bringing the Awards back to Melbourne. They are being held at the The Dome on the evening of Saturday September 10th.
Previous Award Winners
2011 Awards
| Category | Winner | Honourable Mentions |
|---|---|---|
| Business & Industry | Mates in Construction | Little Book of Help – Inspire Foundation |
| Indigenous | Gayili Marika Yunpingu and Valda Napurrula Shannon | |
| Media (Print) | Danny Lannen, The Geelong Advertiser | |
| Media (Non-Print) | ‘Hack’ – Triple J | SBS and Beyond for ‘The Silent Epidemic’ |
| Public Sector | Woolahra Council | |
| Youth | Ehon Chan | |
| Healthy Communities (Organisation) | StandBy Kimberly | Perth Primary Network |
| Healthy Communities (Individual) | Julian Kreig | Dianne Gaddin, Jill Chapman and Sharon Jones |
| Emerging Research | Dr Alison Milner, Australian Institute for Suicide Research and Prevention | |
| Lifetime Research | Dr Richard Taylor and Dr Stephen Morrell | |
| Social Media | ReachOut.com | Tune In Not Out |
2010 Awards
| Category | Winner | Honourable Mentions |
|---|---|---|
| Business & Industry | Mates in Construction | Beyond Blue (The National Workplace Program), Tim Corney and Trans-Help Foundation |
| Indigenous | Billard Learning Centre, Billard Aboriginal Community | |
| Media (Print) | Danny Lannen, The Geelong Advertiser | |
| Media (Non-Print) | ABC TV (4 Corners) – Hidden Voices | SBS TV (Living Black), ABC Radio (Michael Condon) and SBS Television (Anne Worthington) |
| Public Sector | The Young Men’s Lifeskills Program (City of Melville) | Mercey Baird from the Cairns Integrated Mental Health Service |
| Youth | Alive and Kicking Goals | Tim Crowley, Glenorchy Youth Task force, WAYOUT and Peer Support Australia |
| Healthy Communities | Lifeline’s Prison Listener Program | Dianne Gaddin, Jill Fisher and Menshed Australia |
| Emerging Research | Dr Kairi Kolves, Australian Institute for Suicide Research and Prevention | Dorothy Ratnarajah |
| Lifetime Research | Associate Professor Jane Pirkis, University of Melbourne | |
| Outstanding Contribution | Dawn O’Neil AM and John Mendoza |
2009 Awards
| Category | Winner | Honourable Mentions |
|---|---|---|
| Business & Industry | OzHelp Queensland Ltd | Mental Health @ Work |
| Indigenous | Raelene Ward, Centre for Rural and Remote Area Health, University of Queensland | Mercy Baird from the Cairns Integrated Mental Health Service and Chris Wallace from the Central Australian Aboriginal Congress Remote |
| Media (Print) | Cameron Tait, Werribee Banner | |
| Media (Non-Print) | ‘The Girl Least Likely’, Australian Story, ABC TV, Belinda Hawkins (Producer) and Elena Christie (Editor) | ‘Kununurra’ – Enough Rope, ABC TV |
| Public Sector | Mindarie Senior College Student Services Team | |
| Youth | Boystown | |
| Healthy Communities | The Understanding and Building Resilience in the South West project, coordinated by the Injury Control Council of Western Australia | Lifeline Australia for the Suicide Bereavement Support Group Standards & Practice Project |
| Emerging Research | Dr Erminia Colucci, University of Melbourne | Dr. Kairi Kolves, Senior Research Fellow (Australian Institute for Suicide Research & Prevention) |
| Lifetime Research | Professor Robert Goldney, Emeritus Professor, University of Adelaide |
2008 Awards
| Category | Winner | Honourable Mentions |
|---|---|---|
| Business & Industry | Kondinin Group | Caterpillar Underground Mining |
| Indigenous | Associate Professor Helen Milroy | |
| Media (Print) | Marnie McKimmie, The West Australian | Anna Thompson, The Salvation Army Kirstie Parker, The Koori Mail for ‘Waiting for a Miracle’ |
| Media (Non-Print) | Sonya Pemberton for “Angels and Demons” | |
| Public Sector | WA Ministerial Council for Suicide Prevention | Mindframe Stage & Screen |
| Youth | Aussie Optimism | Sally Fletcher |
| Healthy Communities | The National Suicide Call Back Service, Crisis Support Services Inc. | |
| Emerging Research | Research and Policy Team, Inspire Foundation | |
| Lifetime Research | Professor Graham Martin | Dr Judith Murray & Associate Professor Jane Pirkis |
2007 Awards
| Category | Winner | Honourable Mentions |
|---|---|---|
| Business & Industry | MTAA Super and Lifeline Australia, “readthesigns” initiative | National Rugby League and Lifeline Australia for the “Help a mate stay in the game” campaign |
| Indigenous | Raymond Campbell | |
| Media (Print) | Marnie McKimmie, The West Australian | Helen Westerman from The Age |
| Media (Non-Print) | ABC TV Australian Story for “Down to Earth | 630 ABC Radio, North Queensland “Walk to inspire” ABC TV “Landline” for “Mental Health Special 2006″ |
| Public Sector | Child Support Agency ‘‘Staying Connected” Program | Family Law Courts of Australia “Mental Health Support Project” |
| Youth | Reach Out! program, Inspire Foundation | Head High “Living Beyond Suicide” |
| Healthy Communities | National Mental Health First Aid Training and Research Program | Community Response to Eliminating Suicide (C.O.R.E.S) |
| Emerging Research | Dr Myfanwy Maple | |
| Lifetime Research | Professor Diego De Leo | |
| Outstanding Contribution | Margaret Appleby OAM, Jean-Claude Boulenaz |
Nominations
Entry Guidelines
Eligible nominations must include ALL of the following:
- Must be lodged on the appropriate SPA application form
- Details and signature of the nominator
- Identification of the category for which the nomination is made
- Be accompanied by no more than two (4) A4 pages or 2000 words of supporting information, excluding references. Ariel font of no smaller than 10pt is required. Supporting documentation must describe the activity, innovation or specific contribution for which the nomination is being made.
