2024 VADCON Awards

The Go Gentle Community Champion Award

These awards honour individuals and organisations who have made exceptional contributions to improving end-of-life care, with a particular focus on voluntary assisted dying (VAD) and promoting or protecting end-of-life choices.

The two award categories are:

1. Individual Community Champion: For an individual who has made a significant personal impact in advancing end-of-life care or raising awareness of end-of-life choice.
   
   
2. Organisational Community Champion: For a community group, organisation, or institution that has demonstrated innovation and excellence in end-of-life care or advocacy.

Selection Criteria:

Impact on Care: Demonstrated improvement in the quality and accessibility of end-of-life care, particularly regarding VAD and patient choices.

Advocacy and Education: Efforts to promote awareness, understanding, and respect for end-of-life choices and the rights of individuals facing terminal illness.

Compassion and Dignity: Exhibiting empathy, respect, and a commitment to ensuring dignified and compassionate care at the end of life.

Innovation: Introduction of novel approaches or programs that enhance end-of-life care or support for patients and families.

Community Engagement: Active involvement in engaging and educating the community about end-of-life issues, fostering an environment of understanding and support.

Nomination Process:

Eligibility: Open to individuals, community groups, organisations, and institutions involved in end-of-life care and advocacy.

Submission: Nominations should be submitted via an online form including detailed information about the nominee’s contributions and impact.

Supporting Documentation: Nominations should include evidence such as testimonials, case studies, or data that highlights the contributions and achievements.

Selection Panel: A panel of experts in VAD & end-of-life advocacy will review the nominations and select the winners based on the criteria.

Do you know an individual or team whose work deserves recognition? Nominate them here

Nominations close Thursday 17 October

VADANZ Innovation Award for Emerging Research in Voluntary Assisted Dying (VAD)

The VADANZ Innovation Award is designed to recognize and support emerging researchers who are advancing the field of Voluntary Assisted Dying (VAD) in Australia and New Zealand. This award aims to encourage innovative research that makes a significant contribution to the development of evidence based, high quality VAD care. 

The award is intended to capture a broad definition of research including clinicians leading or involved in health and medical research as well as early career academic researchers.  

The award will consider research that addresses all aspects of voluntary assisted dying, including but not limited to clinical practice, patient experiences, ethical considerations, policy development, or support systems.

Selection Criteria:

Innovation and Impact: The research should demonstrate a novel approach or offer new insights that have the potential to significantly impact the field of VAD. 

Academic Excellence: The applicant should exhibit a commitment to excellence in research, and their research findings could be translated through relevant publications, presentations, or other relevant outputs.

Selection Process:

Nomination: Nominations can be submitted by peers, mentors, research collaborators or the researchers themselves. 

Application Materials: Nominators must complete a short application which includes:

- a brief description of the researcher's contribution to VAD research
- the significance of any VAD research the nominee has undertaken or is working on
- any evidence of other relevant achievements or publications
- two referees that can be contacted to support the application

Review Panel: A selection panel has been established, including experienced researchers and clinicians specialising in VAD and related fields. The panel will review applications based on the criteria, select finalists and nominate the overall winner.

Do you know an emerging researcher doing great work? Nominate them here

Nominations close Thursday 17 October

The Dr Rodney Syme Medal, awarded by Dying with Dignity Victoria

The Rodney Syme Medal recognises distinguished effort in pursuit of the Dying with Dignity cause.  Such outstanding, distinguished effort may be in the current year or, it may be awarded for historical efforts in past years. The medal was first awarded in 2007.

The decision to award the medal is made by a majority vote of the DWDV committee. An Honorary Life membership of DWDV is also provided to the recipient of the award.

Full details here.