The LiverWELL Recognition Awards Winners – 2026
LiverWELL is proud to celebrate the recipients of our 2026 Recognition Awards, recognising the individuals and organisations making a meaningful difference to liver health across Victoria and beyond.
Presented as part of our Annual Celebration, the awards acknowledge the power of lived experience, collaboration, advocacy and individual contributions in reducing the impact of liver disease, improving access to information and support, and working towards a future where everyone can enjoy better liver health.
This year, we were delighted to recognise four outstanding recipients whose work reflects our vision of Liver Health for All.
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 lived 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
This year, we received two nominations for the Mark Farmer Award: Lisa Zhiu and Christopher Kee, recognising their contributions to raising awareness and reducing stigma around viral hepatitis.
2026 Winner – Christopher Kee
Christopher Kee received this year’s award in recognition of sharing his story with LiverWELL. By speaking openly about his experiences, Christopher is helping others better understand the realities of living with liver disease and the importance of honest conversations.
We also acknowledge Christopher’s wife, Annie Kee, whose support highlights the important role that family and loved ones play in supporting people living with liver health conditions.
Thank you, Christopher, for sharing your experiences and helping make a difference in the LiverWELL community.
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.
We received two nominations for the Organisational Collaboration Award: Ethnic Communities Council of Victoria and Box Hill Institute – AMEP, recognising their collaborative efforts to improve liver health and support their communities.
2026 Winner – Ballarat Community Health
Ballarat Community Health was recognised for its ongoing partnership with LiverWELL, including its support during the filming of a recent video promoting liver health awareness, testing, treatment and access to care across regional Victoria.
Tameaka Lakey, Health Promotion Officer and BBV/STI Prevention Worker at Ballarat Community Health, accepted the award on behalf of the organisation. Through her work in health promotion and regional community initiatives, Tameaka contributes to improving health awareness and access to information and support.
We thank Tameaka and the Ballarat Community Health team for their valued partnership and continued commitment to better liver health for all.
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.
We received six nominations for the Individual Contribution Award: Dr Julian Rong, Eidan Doidge, Gracy Wu, Jian Wang, Cheng Zheng and Steve McGhie MP, recognising their contributions to improving liver health and supporting their communities.
2026 Winner – Steve McGhie MP
As the Victorian Member for Melton, Steve McGhie MP has been a strong parliamentary advocate for viral hepatitis and a committed supporter of efforts to eliminate hepatitis B and hepatitis C in Victoria.
In 2025, Steve convened a dedicated Western Corridor Parliamentary briefing and helped enable a parliamentary report on hepatitis, creating a valuable resource for Parliament and the wider community.
His ongoing advocacy, accessibility and support for initiatives that improve liver health make him a worthy recipient of this year’s award.
Congratulations, Steve, and thank you for your continued contribution to a healthier Victoria.
Recognition of Global Leadership
For the first time, LiverWELL introduced a global recognition award to acknowledge leadership and collaboration advancing awareness and action on liver disease internationally.
2026 Winner – Global Think-tank on Steatotic Liver Disease
LiverWELL is proud to recognise the Global Think-Tank on Steatotic Liver Disease for its leadership in advocacy, collaboration and evidence-based efforts to advance global awareness of steatotic liver disease, including metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD).
MASLD, commonly known as fatty liver disease, affects approximately one in three Australians. Greater recognition of this condition is essential to ensuring liver health receives the attention it deserves.
As part of this recognition, we are sharing a special video message from Professor Jeffrey Lazarus, Director of the Global Think-Tank, whose work continues to advance awareness and action worldwide.
We also encourage readers to explore Professor Lazarus’s recent World View in Nature Medicine, highlighting why lived experience must be central to understanding liver disease and improving care.
Read the article in Nature Medicine: Waiting to get sick enough.
Congratulations to Professor Lazarus and the Global Think-Tank on this important recognition.
Thank-you to our Nominees
We would also like to acknowledge and thank everyone who was nominated for the 2026 LiverWELL Recognition Awards. Each nomination reflects the dedication and compassion of people and organisations working to improve liver health and support their communities.
Past Award Winners
Mark Farmer Award
- 2025 – Mark Belzer
- 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
- 2025 – Health + Law and Upper Yarra Secondary College
- 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
- 2025 – Jayashree Kunigal Shivanna
- 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
