Michael Chan is recognised for his exceptional dedication to client-centred AOD services, his excellence in emergency and critical incident management, and his unwavering commitment to CAAPS' Healthy Families program.

As CAAPS Healthy Families AOD Coordinator, Michael delivers high-quality, culturally safe, and ethical support to individuals and families affected by substance use, drawing on strong assessment, risk management, and casework skills to help clients navigate complex circumstances with dignity and respect.

His leadership shines brightest under pressure. Through after-hours on-call responses, emergency preparedness planning, and his role on the Cyclone Management and Work Health and Safety committees, Michael has shown calm, decisive leadership that keeps clients and staff safe. His guidance through the demanding 2025–26 Wet Season ensured the continuity of CAAPS services, clients, staff, and infrastructure during a genuinely difficult period.

Beyond frontline work, Michael strengthens CAAPS from within, mentoring AOD staff, championing continuous improvement, and ensuring program integrity through diligent data collection, reporting, and compliance. He builds collaborative relationships across services and contributes meaningfully to senior management processes that improve outcomes for clients.

With over 13 years of service, Michael's empathy, resilience, and integrity have made him a steady presence for colleagues and clients alike, embodying the very qualities this award seeks to celebrate: commitment, drive, perseverance, and dedication.

Beatrice Villadelrey is recognised for her trailblazing leadership as DASA's first-ever Therapeutic Lead, a position established in October 2024 as the organisation's first clinical role in 40 years.

In a short time, Beatrice has set a new benchmark for best practice care across DASA's services, spanning from Alice Springs to Groote Eylandt, combining clinical excellence with genuine kindness and an unwavering commitment to client wellbeing. Under her leadership, DASA introduced the Take a Break low acuity withdrawal program and developed the Anindilyakwa Healing Centre program on Groote Eylandt, expanding the support available to clients across remote communities.

Beatrice's impact extends well beyond clinical service delivery. She has championed community engagement initiatives that connect clients with their broader community, from volunteering at the Old Timer's Fete and the Henley on Todd Regatta to playing sport alongside residents in local competitions and supporting them at market stalls. These efforts reflect a holistic approach to recovery, one grounded in connection, purpose, and belonging.

Beatrice pours her energy, empathy, and clinical expertise into everything she does at DASA, and in doing so has made an immeasurable difference to clients and colleagues alike, embodying the spirit of dedication this award celebrates.

Alastair Earley is recognised for his tireless, often single-handed dedication to engaging vulnerable young people through music, creating opportunities that have had a genuine and lasting impact on their lives.

Over the past year, Alastair built a music program within BushMob that gave young people the chance to work alongside professional producers and artists, not as a one-off novelty, but as a genuine introduction to the craft of songwriting, production, and creative expression. His efforts culminated in nationally recognised artists running a music writing course out bush, and in a young person performing their own song at the Parrtjima festival, a powerful moment of recognition and pride.

Alastair's commitment goes well beyond music. He has consistently gone above and beyond in supporting bush programs, working with horses, and contributing to day-to-day activities, never treating these as extra burdens but always ensuring that young people remained the heart and focus of every activity.

Through his perseverance, creativity, and genuine care, Alastair has given young people at BushMob not just skills, but a sense of achievement, voice, and belonging, exemplifying the commitment and dedication this award seeks to honour.

Keith Buzzacott is recognised for over 15 years as a cornerstone of NT Health's AOD clinic, providing unwavering advocacy and culturally safe support to some of the most vulnerable members of the community.

As an Indigenous Liaison Officer and supporting case worker, Keith has earned deep respect for his ability to build trust, strengthen relationships, and ensure every patient feels heard, respected, and understood. He has been a consistent and powerful advocate for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander patients, ensuring their cultural needs are recognised and embedded in their care, while guiding staff across the service to deliver care in a culturally safe and appropriate way.

Keith's impact reaches far beyond individual interactions. He supports patients through complex and often difficult journeys, offering the continuity, reassurance, and advocacy that empowers them to stay engaged with services and achieve better outcomes. His calm, approachable nature has made him a trusted presence for patients and colleagues alike, strengthening both the patient experience and the broader quality of care across the AOD system.

Keith's work embodies the true spirit of advocacy: standing alongside clients, amplifying their voices, and ensuring they receive the dignity and care they deserve. In recognition of his cultural leadership, his enduring dedication, and his lasting impact on the NT AOD sector, Keith Buzzacott is a truly deserving recipient of the Carole Taylor Advocacy Award.

Kristy Ryan is recognised as runner-up for the Carole Taylor Advocacy Award in acknowledgement of her incredible commitment to delivering AOD services through years of trials and tribulations that come with working for an NGO in this sector.

Time and again, Kristy has fought for her organisation, securing funding in what often felt like an impossibly difficult landscape, and pushing forward through challenges that would have discouraged many others. Beyond her advocacy work, Kristy has been a steady source of support for her colleagues, holding the team together when times were tough and ensuring that the people around her felt seen and supported.

Kristy's resilience, persistence, and genuine belief in the value of the work done by DASA and the broader AOD sector make her an incredible champion for the cause, and a well-deserved recipient of this recognition.

Hassan Tariq is recognised as an outstanding leader in harm reduction, known across CAAAPU for his approachable manner, practical problem-solving, and unwavering commitment to supporting vulnerable clients.

Since transitioning from the Harm Minimisation Team to his role as Treatment Manager, Hassan has been a driving force in improving access to care and strengthening client engagement. He has transformed the program to be more accessible and responsive to people who often face significant barriers to treatment, working flexibly and persistently to find solutions that help clients access rehabilitation. Crucially, clients who leave treatment early are always welcomed back with respect and encouragement, reflecting a genuinely non-judgemental, harm reduction approach.

Hassan's work embodies the core principles of harm reduction: meeting clients where they are, reducing risk, and supporting incremental progress toward recovery. Through his efforts, more clients are able to engage with services, re-engage after setbacks, and feel supported throughout their journey.

With over 10 years of experience in the AOD sector, Hassan is highly respected by clients and colleagues alike for his passion, kindness, and professionalism. His leadership has fostered a culture of compassion, flexibility, and persistence at CAAAPU, strengthening both individual outcomes and the overall effectiveness of the program, and making him a truly deserving recipient of the Excellence in Harm Reduction award.

Banyan House is recognised for its continued excellence as a Residential Therapeutic Community, grounded in the evidence-based framework of the Australasian Therapeutic Communities Association (ATCA) and aligned with the ATCA 3rd Edition Standards for contemporary best practice.

Under the leadership of Yolanda and Dorian, and with the dedication of the wider staff team, Banyan House has continued to evolve and strengthen, consistently delivering high-quality outcomes for residents. At the heart of the program is a structured, supportive community in which personal responsibility, mutual accountability, and pro-social behaviour underpin the therapeutic process. As residents progress through the program's four phases, Orientation, Phase One, Phase Two, and Phase Three, they gradually take on greater responsibility within the community, building confidence, self-esteem, and the life skills needed for lasting change.

The program's flexibility, allowing residents to remain for as long as clinically appropriate, reflects a genuine commitment to individual recovery journeys. In Phase Three, residents are supported toward independence through employment, vocational training or education, and securing safe, stable accommodation as part of their reintegration into the community.

The results speak for themselves: graduates frequently leave with renewed connections to family and community, strengthened resilience, and the capacity to contribute as responsible members of society. Many return to Banyan House to share their lived experience, mentoring current residents and reinforcing a powerful culture of peer support.

Through ongoing review, evaluation, and refinement, Banyan House continues to demonstrate strong, positive outcomes for the majority of participants, remaining responsive to emerging needs and contemporary research. This sustained commitment to innovation, evidence-based practice, and community wellbeing makes Banyan House a truly deserving recipient of the Excellence in Alcohol and Other Drug Treatment award.

CAAAPU (Central Australian Aboriginal Alcohol Program Unit) is recognised as a leading example of excellence in Indigenous AOD programs, underpinned by culturally informed leadership and a deep commitment to community.

Central to CAAAPU's success are its dedicated Arrernte board members, whose extensive experience across other Aboriginal Corporations working to minimise AOD-related harm brings invaluable cultural authority and connection to community. Their guidance ensures CAAAPU's programs remain relevant, respectful, and effective for the people they serve.

CAAAPU takes a genuinely holistic approach to healing and recovery, recognising that substance use is often connected to broader challenges such as domestic and family violence, social wellbeing, and community connection. This integrated model supports clients not only in addressing AOD issues, but in rebuilding their confidence, identity, and sense of purpose. Importantly, the program empowers clients to become leaders in their own right, with many participants going on to develop and deliver their own programs across the Northern Territory, extending CAAAPU's impact far beyond its own walls.

This success is built on the resilience and dedication of CAAAPU's staff, who consistently go above and beyond to deliver culturally safe, evidence-based care with compassion and respect. Through ongoing professional development, cultural competency training, and a genuine commitment to lifelong learning, staff translate their growing expertise directly into better outcomes for clients. In the face of complex challenges, including entrenched social determinants and trauma, the team works collaboratively with clients to develop personalised care plans addressing both the physical and psychological dimensions of recovery.

Through its full suite of services, residential treatment and recovery support, sobering-up shelters, harm reduction education, and support for families and loved ones, CAAAPU provides a comprehensive, culturally appropriate response to AOD issues affecting individuals, families, and communities across Central Australia.

Through strong leadership, cultural integrity, and a genuine commitment to empowerment, CAAAPU continues to make a lasting and meaningful difference in Indigenous communities, making it a truly deserving recipient of the Excellence in Indigenous AOD Programs/Service award.

Leanne Maloney is recognised for her outstanding contribution to DASA as Executive Assistant Administration Officer, a role she has held for several years and one in which she has become an essential part of the organisation's everyday functioning.

As the first point of contact for many clients, visitors, and staff, Leanne's warm, friendly, and welcoming nature helps create a culturally safe and inclusive environment from the moment people arrive. She embodies DASA's vision and purpose, and is known throughout the organisation for her commitment, kindness, and good humour.

Leanne carries significant responsibility across administration, governance, and frontline support. As secretariat for the DASA Board, she ensures governance processes run smoothly, documentation is accurate, and meetings are well-organised, with her efficiency and attention to detail underpinning much of the organisation's daily operations. She is also a key figure in DASA's communications, regularly updating the website and Facebook page and often acting as media contact, helping ensure information remains accessible and community engagement stays strong.

A reliable team player, Leanne has stepped up to support the Aboriginal Outreach Program, working with the Service Manager to produce quarterly newsletters and collaborating closely with senior management. Despite her shy and humble nature, her contributions have not gone unnoticed, and she has previously been awarded DASA's Employee of the Year.

As a local Aboriginal woman from Alice Springs with strong community ties, Leanne's cultural knowledge and compassion help reduce stigma and ensure everyone who walks through DASA's doors feels welcome. Her dedication, warmth, and quiet excellence make her an invaluable member of the team, and a truly deserving recipient of the Frontline Service & Administration Support Award.