Congratulations to our 2025 Reimagine Australia National Awards Finalists

We are delighted to announce the finalists for the 2025 Reimagine Australia Awards, recognising excellence, innovation, and leadership in supporting children and families across Australia.

These awards celebrate individuals and organisations whose work embodies the spirit of the Childkind Best Practice Framework, centred on collaboration, inclusion, evidence, and impact.

Join us in congratulating the outstanding finalists below. The winners will be announced at the ChildKind 2025 Awards Dinner, taking place on Monday, 27 October 2025, at the Manly Pacific. If you would like to add a dinner ticket to your registration please advise the team by return email.

We congratulate all finalists for their exceptional contributions and thank everyone who submitted nominations this year.

We look forward to celebrating with you at the Childkind Awards Dinner, where we’ll recognise these remarkable leaders and changemakers shaping a brighter future for every child.

Leader of the Year

Honouring leaders who inspire positive change through vision, collaboration, and a commitment to child and family-centred practice.

Finalists:
• Claire Allsop, C&K
• Lucy Cook, Penguin Parent Education
• Sam Boag, I Can Jump Puddles
• Lara Elliott, Ability Action Australia
• Darleen Taylor, Firstchance

Organisation of the Year (Small)

Recognising smaller organisations that deliver outstanding impact through innovation, agility, and deep community engagement.

Finalists:
• Penguin Parent Education
• Neuroinclusion
• Gilgandra Preschool Inc
• Curious Me & Co Pty Ltd
• Treehouse Queanbeyan

Organisation of the Year (Large)

Celebrating larger organisations that demonstrate excellence in inclusive, evidence-informed practice and sector leadership.

Finalists:
• Rocky Bay
• Luz All Abilities
• Koorana Child & Family Services
• I Can Jump Puddles
• First Chance

Practitioner of the Year

Acknowledging frontline professionals who go above and beyond to support children and families through skill, compassion, and creativity.

Finalists:
• Holly Butler, Koorana Child & Family Services
• Claire Britton, Neuroinclusion
• Carina Beattie, Walking the Journey
• Claire Shrimpton, Ability Action Australia
• Erlyn Ye, Cerebral Palsy Alliance

Researcher of the Year

Recognising researchers who contribute new insights and evidence that inform and improve practice across the child and family sector.

Finalists:
• Melinda Conroy, Cerebral Palsy Alliance
• Bonnie Berry, Firstchance
• Lucy Cook, Penguin Parent Education
• Sara Nogueira, Luz All Abilities

Inclusion Award

Honouring individuals or organisations that demonstrate outstanding commitment to inclusion, accessibility, and equitable participation for all children and families.

Finalists:
• Farah Junaid, Communities@Work
• Ciara McKillop, Carers and Parents Spectrum Supports Incorporated
• Kylie McMahon, Liv2learn Early Education
• Adrianne Macleod, Hobart Place Early Education Centre
• Linda Rolland, Firstchance

Innovation Award

Celebrating bold, creative approaches that challenge the status quo and deliver measurable improvements in outcomes for children and families.

Finalists:
• Gilgandra Preschool
• Farah Junaid, Communities@Work
• Curious Me & Co Pty Ltd
• Linda Rolland, Firstchance
• Nick Marsden, Marsden Health