Celebrating compassion, excellence and innovation – our Peter Mac Awards winners
11 December 2025
Winners of Peter Mac’s annual excellence awards – the Peter Mac Awards - were announced yesterday, in a glittering ceremony at the Parkville campus.
An audience of more than 300 attended the hybrid event, celebrating the incredible individual and team contributions that make Peter Mac a global leader in cancer research and care.
There were nearly 250 nominations submitted this year, showcasing the diversity of talent and commitment to innovation across the entire organisation.
The vibe in the room was upbeat and full of pride, and from Chief Executive Professor Jason Payne’s opening reflections to the final applause, the message was clear - this was a celebration for all Peter Mac people.
Board Chair Professor Rosemary McKenzie, who conducted the formalities of the 2025 Peter Mac Annual General Meeting, reflected on the many achievements of 2025, extending thanks and appreciation on behalf of the Board.
“No matter your role or department, each of our over 4,200 staff members and volunteers play an important role,” she said.
The judging panel, which included the Executive team and some special guest judges, selected winners from research and clinical teams, education, pharmacy, legal, food services, nursing, allied health and more.
Consumer Register member Deb Fryers joined her co-judge, Chief Operating Officer Karen Fox, for the Exceptional Patient Experience award announcement. Both were deeply moved by the compassionate, personalised care provided by winners Food Services and Renae Thorson.
The Laboratory Research Support Services team, who won the Innovation in Research Award, stole the show with a round of high-fives on their way to the podium – their energy and enthusiasm also reflecting in their work to ensure smooth research operations across peter Mac’s labs and core facilities.
But undoubtedly biggest moment of the evening was the presentation of the 2025 Chief Executive’s Award to Director of Health, Safety and Wellbeing Amber Atkinson.
Amber joined remotely to accept the honour, with Professor Payne calling her contributions, “fundamental to keeping us all safe, healthy and happy at work.”
He added, “Her calming influence and expertise are valued immensely across Peter Mac.”
Amber thanked colleagues and shared her pride in leading such an impactful team. It was the perfect way to wrap up the formalities before attendees caught up to celebrate in the atrium.
Congratulations to all 2025 winners and nominees.
Peter Mac Awards 2025
Individual Winners
- Chief Executive’s Award - Amber Atkinson, Director Health Safety and Wellbeing
- Excellence in Cancer Care - Anelyn Chui, Advance Practice Radiation Therapist
- Innovation in Research - Dr Balaji Virassamy, Postdoctoral researcher
- Enabling Our People - Allison Drosdowsky, Health Services Researcher
- Exceptional Patient Experience - Renae Thorson, Radiation Therapist
- Inspiring Leadership - Jess Crowe, Physiotherapist
- Jacqueline Caval Award - Cheryl Jackson, Anticoagulation Stewardship Pharmacist
- World-Class Education - Nikki Dean, Director, Nursing Education
- Power of Partnerships - Mashal Masood, Senior Legal Council
Team winners
- Excellence in Cancer Care - Nutrition HEN/PEG Team
- Innovation in Research - Research Lab Support Services
- Enabling Our People - Graduate Nurse Program team
- Exceptional Patient Experience - Food Services
- World-Class Education - Radiotherapy Clinical Education team
- Power of Partnerships - IAEA Anchor Centre Designation team
Research awards
- The Sambrook Prize (Clinical research) - Professor Ben Solomon
- The Sambrook Prize (Lab research) - Dr Jack Chan, Dr Christina Scheffler, Dr Isabelle Munoz, Dr Junyun Lai, Professor Paul Beavis, Professor Phil Darcy
- Peter Mac Medal - Kah Min Yap
- Nicole Lundie Prize - Olivia Voulgaris