2024 National Stroke Awards Winners

Rebecca Schmidt-Lachlan

Rebecca Schmidt-Lachlan had to reinvent herself after her stroke 16 years ago.

Rebecca spent seven months in rehabilitation, re-learning how to complete basic tasks. She was determined not to let her stroke change her life and became passionate about advocacy and inclusion.  She was the driving force behind a $25 milllion upgrade at her local train station, which saw lifts installed, ensuring people with disabilities could access public transport.

Rebecca has also written a book about her experience and regularly donates her time to share her story with businesses, community groups and schools.

Tiana Ekpanyaskun

Victoria’s Tiana Ekpanyaskun was just 10 years old at the time of her third and most devastating stroke.

Tiana was a talented young musician who had been playing since she was seven, but after her stroke, her family feared she may never play again.

But after 18 months, Tiana was accepted into the Melbourne Youth Orchestra’s Adaptive Music Bridging Program. She was able to resume playing the violin using a modified instrument, with a chin rest developed using a 3D printer, a grip aid on her bow, and reversed strings which allow her to rest the violin on her right shoulder.

Tiana now uses music as her own form of rehabilitation.

Kerri Colegate

Kerri Colegate is a Noongar/Yamatji woman from the Balladong, Whadjuk, Yuat clans. She is a proud mother of two adult children and grandmother to three.

Kerry has her own consultancy business, KM Noongar Consultancy Services, specialising in disability support, capacity building and cultural consultancy. She is also currently Research Project Manager of the national Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Sub-study of the AUS-mTBI project based at ECU (MRFF funded) and the creator and coordinator of the Yarning Group for Aboriginal people of all ages with disabilities and the Brain Injury Yarning Circles project (WA Neurotrauma Research Program funded).

Tommy Quick

After having a life-changing stroke at the age of 12, nothing has stopped Melburnian, Tommy Quick, from taking on life, head on.

The 31-year old has overcome major physical and mental challenges in his life, but one of the biggest came in 2021 when he embarked on a mammoth journey, cycling to the four most extreme points of Mainland Australia, on a recumbent trike, finishing in 2023.

Tommy cycled to Steep Point, Cape York, Wilsons Promontory and Cape Byron to raise money for Stroke Foundation. He clocked up more than 9,000 kilometres, raising more than $120,000 and spread awareness of stroke and social inclusion along the way

Amanda Clayton

When Amanda’s daughter, Sophie, had a stroke at the age of four, 14 years ago, she made it her mission to advocate for survivors.

Alongside her children, Amanda has been integral in promoting stroke awareness in schools. She’s been a member of the Childhood Stroke Lived Experience Advisory Group for the past 2 years, where she helps co-design resources and advocates for awareness of stroke in young people.

Amanda has also taken her advocacy to parliament, putting stroke in the spotlight in front of Queensland politicians.

Toni Arfaras

Toni Arfaras from Victoria was recognised for her efforts volunteering as a StrokeSafe Speaker. Toni has been determined to use her lived experience, as well as her skills from years of teaching, to help educate others.

Toni became a StrokeSafe Speaker in 2016. Since then, she has travelled more than 2,400km to deliver more than 80 talks. Toni enjoys giving talks as they allow her to give back to the community, while putting her skills to use.

Toni also recently volunteered her time and shared valuable insights about fatigue after stroke for Stroke Foundation’s TakeAway video series.

Joe Holden

Joe Holden, from New South Wales, was a fit and healthy 7-year-old at the time of his stroke.

After a lengthy stay in hospital, Joe was walking, talking, eating and laughing just a few weeks later. Since then, Joe has achieved so many milestones, from returning to school, to riding a bike, to swimming, and more recently, finding a passion for cricket. But his biggest love has been returning to the farm and helping during harvest time.

Joe’s family say he is living his absolute best life, and his bubbly personality is a daily reminder of how fortunate they are to have been supported by an amazing team of medical professionals.

Spencer McPherson

Spencer McPherson was almost two when he had a stroke. His parents noticed he was displaying some of the key stroke signs, and rushed him to hospital where he underwent lifesaving surgery.

Now seven-years-old, Spencer is thriving at school and never lets anything get in his way. He loves swimming, playing outside and maths.

Spencer and his family have been a driving force behind increased awareness about childhood stroke, and were involved in the development of brochures which are going in school and childcare centres across Australia.

Piper Wakley-Keighran

Piper Wakley-Keighran, from New South Wales, was just five-years-old when stroke changed her life. Piper had been relaxing at home when she became unresponsive.

Piper was in hospital for a month and has since made an incredible recovery. She has been recognised for her bravery and courage in her stroke recovery.

Piper recently started primary school, and is loving every moment. Her family are so proud of everything she has achieved since her stroke, just five months ago, and can’t wait to see what the future holds for their strong and courageous little girl.

Brenda Booth OAM

Brenda Booth OAM, from New South Wales, has played a pivotal role in the work of Stroke Foundation. Brenda experienced a stroke when she was 41 in 2001. Since then, she has been passionate about improving stroke care in Australia.

Brenda has worked in the health and disability sector on the Central Coast for more than 25 years. She has played key roles for the Stroke Foundation, lending her experience to the Consumer Council, the Research Advisory Committee, and the Living Stroke Guidelines. Locally, Brenda is a member of the Working Aged Stroke Group and the Northern Reaches Stroke Support Group.

In 2019, Brenda was awarded an Order of Australia Medal in recognition of her services to consumer advocacy in stroke. Using her experience and professional background as a Registered Nurse, and a Case Manager with the NSW Disability Service, Brenda has been involved in many advocacy campaigns at local, state and national levels.

Most recently, Brenda has provided valuable insight to the development of the Australian Stroke Coalition Stroke Unit Certification Project which encourages hospitals to consistently meet a set of national criteria to deliver the best possible stroke care to patients.