Each year LiverWELL recognises individuals and organisations who have made outstanding contributions to the lives of those who are living with viral hepatitis and liver disease.
The three awards are:
- The Mark Farmer Award
- The Organisational Collaboration Recognition Award
- The Individual Contribution Recognition Award.
Nominations for the Awards open in September every year and are assessed by an independent selection panel and endorsed by the Board of LiverWELL. The winners are announced after our AGM in October.
Mark Farmer Award
The Mark Farmer Memorial Award honours former Hepatitis Victoria Board Member Mark Farmer.
It recognises individuals who have:
- Shared their knowledge and experience to help others in the community
- Increased community knowledge and understanding of hepatitis; and
- Demonstrated the positive use of self-management principles in their daily life
2025 Winner
The winner of the 2025 Mark Farmer Memorial Award was Mark Belzer.
Mark was nominated in recognition of his tireless commitment to improving the health and wellbeing of people who use drugs in Victoria, particularly through hepatitis C education, harm reduction, and peer support. As a peer mentor with the C No More project, Mark plays a vital role in engaging hard-to-reach communities, facilitating hepatitis C testing and treatment, and providing compassionate care, advocacy, and creative contributions to the sector.
Organisational Collaboration Award
The Organisational Collaboration Recognition Award recognises organisations that have:
- Made a significant contribution to reducing the burden of viral hepatitis or liver disease in Victoria, and/or to maximising the well-being of those living with viral hepatitis or liver disease;
- Make adaptions that allow their organisation to respond to viral hepatitis or liver disease in an effective and innovative manner; and
- Worked collaboratively with LiverWELL.
2025 Winners
The dual winners of the 2025 Organisational Collaboration Award were Health + Law and Upper Yarra Secondary College.
Health + Law were nominated for their outstanding work supporting people affected by blood-borne viruses. Their Hepatitis B and Migration FAQ, created with LiverWELL, is now one of our most accessed resources, helping people understand their rights and access care. Their partnership has made a real impact, especially for vulnerable migrants.
Upper Yarra Secondary College is recognised for its long-standing involvement in LiverWELL’s youth program, StreetShot. Through their media classes, students create artwork to raise awareness of viral hepatitis, with strong support from teachers who understand the local health challenges and ensure students are informed and supported.
Individual Contribution Award
The Individual Contribution Recognition Award recognises individuals who have:
- Made a significant contribution to reducing the burden of viral hepatitis or liver disease in Victoria and/or maximising the well-being of those living with viral hepatitis or liver disease;
- Inspired others to similarly contribute to the response in the community; and
- Worked collaboratively with LiverWELL.
2025 Winner
The winner of the 2025 Individual Contribution Recognition Award was Jayashree Kunigal Shivanna.
Jay spent two years as the Cultural Liaison Officer at SEPHU, supporting recent arrivals to navigate the health system and access hepatitis follow-up care under Health Undertaking requirements. Her work led to a significant increase in treatment offers, confirmed linkages to care, and vaccination recommendations – with many people expressing how much her support meant to them.
Past Award Winners
Mark Farmer Award
- 2024 – Lien Tran and Thomas Tu
- 2023 – Kay Dufty
- 2022 – David Fry
- 2021 – Jules Cassidy
- 2020 – Kamarra Bell-Wykes
- 2019 – Uncle Jack Charles
- 2018 – Andree Dolby
- 2017 – Pam Wood
- 2016 – Jane Little
- 2015 – Nafisa Yussf
- 2014 – Ross Williams
- 2013 – Karen Jehn
- 2012 – Ron Briggs
- 2011 – Melissa Virtue
- 2010 – Marilyn Bourne
- 2009 – Zuni Zacutti
Organisational Collaboration Award
- 2024 – Gippsland Local Public Health Unit
- 2023 -Yarraville Community Centre
- 2022 – Holmesglen English Language Centre
- 2021 – SK Media Inc.
- 2020 – Statewide Hepatitis Program
- 2019 – Forensicare Thomas Embling Hospital
- 2018 – Dr Yue Gaung Baey
- 2017 – North Western Primary Health Network
- 2016 – City of Greater Dandenong
- 2015 – cohealth
Individual Contribution Award
- 2024 – Vinay Menon and Suzanne Wallis
- 2023 – Simon Brisbane
- 2022 – Dr Amanda Wade
- 2021 – Dr David Hiep Phan and Associate Professor Paul Gow
- 2020 – Alisa Pedrana
- 2019 – Marion Lau
- 2018 – Dr David Iser
- 2017 – Jacqui Richmond and Peter Higgs
- 2016 – Ben Cowie
