Fran McGrath WA Social Worker of the Year. Category Award:

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1 Fran McGrath 2015 WA Social Worker of the Year Head, Heart & Hands Sponsored onsored by the Department for Child Protection and Family Support Recognising the outstanding career of a social worker. Senior Social Worker, Neurosciences Unit (Health Department of WA) Education: 1970 Bachelor History (Adelaide University) 1975 Bachelor of Social Administration (Flinders University) Groups Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW) Hospital and Salaried Officers Association Biography: Fran is considered an outstanding social worker, colleague and an exceptional human being with 40 years service in health care. She has continuously demonstrated a

2 commitment to her work and clients displaying great compassion, generosity, integrity and genuineness nuineness to all with whom she works. Fran is a state expert in her work in the area of neurodegenerative disorders. She demonstrates exceptional clinical excellence with patients and families as a family therapist, is effective in her multi professional teamwork, and contributes significantly to education and system development within Huntington s Disease WA. Fran shows incredible empathy and ability to create a safe, nurturing therapeutic environment and is able to walk alongside clients and families families in their journey together. Fran is an inspirational leader and role model for all health professionals and as one referee stated: for me, Fran is not just a Social Worker of the Year she s social worker of my professional career. Pip White Leading the Way Sponsored by Richmond Wellbeing Recognising ecognising excellence and innovation by a social worker in a leadership or management position. Director, Tuart Place

3 Education: 1995 Bachelor of Arts, Journalism (Curtin University) 2001 Master of Social Work (University of Western Australia) 2007 Doctor of Philosophy in Social Work and Social Policy (University of Western Australia) Accredited member of Australian Association of Social Workers Medicare Australia accredited Mental Health Social Worker Member of Australasian Society for Traumatic Stress Studies Individual Member of WACOSS ( ) Organisational Member Golden Key Honour Society Biography: Pip has dedicated her professional life to increasing the visibility of people who have experienced considerable violence and abuse of trust during childhood. In her role as founding director of Tuart Place, Pip has been described as walking beside her clients, focusing on the lived experience where clients are empowered and encouraged to build a space of healing. She is a leader in an area with high emotions, challenging behaviors, strong voiced beliefs and sometimes conflicts. Pip navigates this landscape in a way that helps Tuart Place clients to feel safer, breaking down barriers between themselves and others. Advocating Above and Beyond Pip s practice has led the way in the sector and become a reference point for the industry.

4 Leanne Mirabella Agent of Change Sponsored by Wanslea Recognising the outstanding contribution by a social worker through organisational or systems change. Project Manager, Palmerston, Outcare and DAWn Capacity Building Project Principal Consultant, Mirabella Counseling and Consultancy Services (MiCCS) Counselor, Alcohol and Drug Information Service, Department of Health Education: 1995 Bachelor of Social Work (Curtin University) 2000 Community Educators Certificate, Family Planning WA 2000 Certificate IV Workplace Training, AMA WA Training and Development 2003 Certificate in Project Management, Department of Health Groups Society of Professional Social Workers, Workers Accredited Professional and nd Financial Member Eligibility and past member of Australian Association of Social Workers North Metropolitan Area Mental Health and AOD Reference Group WAAMH Peer Work Strategic Framework Advisory Group Peer Workforce Training Development Advisory Group

5 Looking Forward Research Project - Service Provider Group Biography: Leanne is a peer-work work champion tirelessly supporting the implementation of peer support services across the Alcohol and Other Drugs and Mental Health sectors. She clearly understands the distinctive role of peer workers and the need for appropriate supervision and mentoring. Through Leanne s efforts SMART Groups are now a service in Perth for people with co co-occurring mental health and substance use issues, within which she encourages pe peer er group facilitators to draw on their lived experience for the benefit of group members. She has also worked for several years to overcome organizational and structural barriers by facilitating discussions at management level about the benefits of peer work work and educating managers and supervisors about peer workforce issues. Leanne ably brings about cultural change in organisations through this capacity building approach. Her dedication and commitment is outstanding.. Kristen Orazi Rural and Remote Practitioner Sponsored by Edith Cowan University Recognising the outstanding performance of a social worker who works for a rural or remote community in WA.

6 Child Protection Worker, Department for Child Protection and Family Support (West Kimberley) Education: 2012 Bachelor of Social Work (Curtin University) 2002 Advanced Diploma of Community Services, Youth Work (Curtin University) 2002 Certificate IV Workplace Trainer and Assessor (Curtin University) 1999 Bachelor of Social Science, Human Services (Edith Cowan University) Golden Key International Honour Society Australian Association of Social Workers Goldfields Youth Coordinating Network Biography: Kristen is currently a Senior Practice Development Officer for the West Kimberley District of the Department for Child Protection and Family Support. She has been a leader within her region, in particular during a complex child abuse investigation for which Kristen worked tirelessly toward achieving the best possible outcomes for both children and their families. One referee described her as person centered, always remaining child focused. She works effectively and is always culturally sensitive, ethical and respectful with the ability to work across challenging and confronting issues. Her colleagues described as being at her most creative when there are limited resources and a big task at hand.

7 Kristen supports a learning culture in her teams and often takes an active ctive role in seeking out new learning opportunities for her students or colleagues. She has a lovely, vibrant energy that enables her to connect and work in a meaningful way with people from all walks of life. Kat Broad Sponsored by GESB Recognising the outstanding performance of a recently graduated social worker. worker Social Worker, Princess Margaret Hospital Education: 2011 Bachelor of Social Work (University of Western Australia) Australian Association of Social Work Member Oncology Social Work Australia WA Social Worker of the Year Awards UWA Social Work Alumni Group United Nations Youth Association of Australia

8 Biography: As a social worker at Princess Margaret Hospital, Kat provides on-going support to the hospital, patients and community. Kat s nominator described her to be an empowering woman who ensures people make the smart choices for themselves during trauma. She consistently demonstrates maturity beyond her years, developing and maintaining the trust of her clients even when delivering difficult news or in conflictual situations. Kat delivers over and beyond what is expected of her and is frequently described by her clients as never giving up on them even where others may see impossible outcomes. Motivating and inspiring, Kat empowers her clients through her deep and genuine care for them.