2026 Consumer Appreciation Award

Karen Williams

 For more than 16 years, Oncology Nurse Karen has been a steadfast source of compassion, clinical excellence, and calm reassurance for patients and families navigating the most vulnerable moments of their cancer journey. Beginning her oncology career in 2008 after arriving in Australia, Karen quickly developed not only advanced clinical capability but also the deep empathy, communication skills, and emotional intelligence that define truly exceptional nursing. As she reflects, “Knowing my patients feel supported, understood, and cared for… guides my practice every single day.”

Karen’s proudest achievements centre on the trusted therapeutic relationships she builds with patients through relationships often spanning many years. Her ability to anticipate complications, manage complex symptoms, and communicate clearly provides patients with something priceless: peace of mind. One long‑term patient describes her as “a source of strength, advocacy, and hope,” noting that Karen creates a safe, reassuring environment even in times of fear and uncertainty.

Karen’s passion lies firmly in hands‑on, patient‑centred care. She fosters dignity, calm, and respect at the bedside, ensuring patients feel safe to voice concerns and participate in their care. Her commitment extends to supporting families, particularly during palliative and end‑of‑life care, experiences she describes as “a privilege” and among the most profoundly moving of her career.

Beyond her direct care, Karen is a valued mentor and team member. She supports junior nurses, promotes evidence‑based practice, and contributes to a positive, collaborative workplace culture. Karen is described as “deeply loved and respected… always willing to help others and consistently delivering the highest level of care.”

Humble, dedicated, and unwavering in her commitment to excellence, Karen embodies the very best of oncology nursing, clinical expertise paired with genuine human connection

Deborah Tunbridge 

For more than 35 years, Deborah (Deb) has been the steady, compassionate heart of paediatric rheumatology nursing in Western Australia. As a Clinical Nurse Specialist at Perth Children’s Hospital, Deb has dedicated her career to supporting children living with chronic musculoskeletal and autoimmune conditions, and the families who walk that journey alongside them. Her practice is grounded in empathy, expertise, and an unwavering commitment to patient‑centred care.

Deb is widely known as a quiet achiever, someone who consistently delivers exceptional care while placing the child and family at the centre of every decision. She has created and shaped a paediatric rheumatology nursing service that empowers families through education, collaboration, and trust. Her philosophy ensures children feel safe, supported, and capable of navigating their condition with confidence. As one parent shared, Deb “provided a calm, reassuring environment… treating me and my son so gently and respectfully,” a sentiment echoed by countless families over decades.

Her impact extends far beyond the clinic. Deb has volunteered for over 30 years at Camp Freedom, where she is affectionately known as “Camp Mum.” There, she provides a nurturing space for children to connect, build resilience, and discover their strengths. Her support has changed lives, most notably helping a young patient, Ollie, find his voice as a disability advocate after years of complex illness.

Deb is also a respected mentor and role model. She teaches junior nurses best practice, fosters curiosity in rheumatology, and consistently goes above and beyond to ensure families receive timely, coordinated care. Her colleagues describe her as positive, caring, and endlessly dedicated.

In recognition of her extraordinary service, Deb was named the CAHS Rotary Nurse of the Year in 2025, a deeply meaningful honour reflecting her lifetime of compassionate leadership, clinical excellence, and profound impact on children and families across Western Australia.

Elizabeth Hull

Elizabeth is an exceptional midwife whose compassion, clinical excellence, and dedication to woman‑centred care have made her an invaluable member of the Royal Perth Bentley Group Midwifery Birth Centre (MBC). As an inaugural endorsed clinical midwife at the newly established Centre, Liz has played a pivotal role in shaping its philosophy, policies, and systems, ensuring that every woman receives safe, respectful, and evidence‑based care. In addition, she supports women from conception to six weeks postpartum, utilising her diagnostic and prescribing authority to provide timely, holistic care.

Throughout her career, Liz has exemplified the true meaning of “with woman.” Women consistently describe feeling seen, heard, informed, and deeply supported under her care. Her warmth and calm presence, whether during a routine visit, a middle‑of‑the‑night phone call, or a water birth, provide reassurance during one of life’s most vulnerable transitions. One woman shared that she trusted Liz so completely that she felt safe birthing with only her present, describing her as “the one person I needed in the room, physically, emotionally, and mentally.” Another expressed that Liz’s patience and clarity made her “feel human, not just a number.”

Liz’s research‑driven practice strengthens this trust. Her published work on midwifery prescribing shaped her Master’s dissertation and contributed novel insights into expanding midwives’ scope of practice. These achievements opened doors to her becoming the first endorsed midwife on the WA Medicines Evaluation Panel, a milestone she considers one of her proudest.

Liz is also a gifted mentor, leading by example, supporting students, fostering professional growth, and modelling clinical excellence with kindness and integrity. Her impact on women, families, colleagues, and the midwifery profession is lasting and profound