If you would like to see someone, or a group, acknowledged for their service to your local community, or the wider Parkinson’s community, why not nominate them for one of the Fight Parkinson’s Recognition Awards? It may be a support group leader, local business supporter, a healthcare professional, or anyone who has shown outstanding support.
Board Members, Presidents, Boards, and CEOs of other organisations, members, and the community are entitled to nominate suitable candidates, including all members of the community, not only members of Fight Parkinson’s, for the following awards:
Sir Zelman Cowen Award
This award, the highest honour available, is presented annually to an individual, recognising their outstanding service to Fight Parkinson’s and services to people living with Parkinson’s. Sir Zelman Cowen generously gave permission for the award to be in his name, which is most appropriate, recognising his own outstanding community service to all Australians, and his personal journey with Parkinson’s.
Nominations for the Sir Zelman Cowen Award should include full written details of an individual, recognizing their outstanding service to Fight Parkinson’s and services to people living with Parkinson’s—the work that they do, years of service, how long they have been involved with Fight Parkinson’s, commitment and dedication to people with Parkinson’s, their achievements, and how those achievements have benefitted people affected by Parkinson’s. Giving reasons for this nomination may include referees, and or supporting documentation.
Harold Waldron Carer’s Award
This award will honour a family member or friend who has been touched by Parkinson’s and has made a significant difference to the Parkinson’s Community, through their voluntary leadership or support of a leader, through their consistency, length of service, and dedication to the community.
Nominations for the Harold Waldron Carer’s Award should include full written details of an individual—outlining their outstanding service to Fight Parkinson’s and services to people living with Parkinson’s through their voluntary leadership or support of a leader, via their consistency, length of service, and dedication to the community.
Honorary Life Membership
The Honorary Life Membership award recognises outstanding service, normally over a period of at least 15 years.
Nominations for Honorary Life Membership should include full written details of an individual, including their service to the Parkinson’s community over a period of at least 15 years.
5, 10, or 15 Year Services Awards
These service awards recognise the continuous service of volunteers in an administrative, project, or service capacity.
Nominations for the 5, 10, or 15 Year Services Awards should include written details outlining the continuous service of a volunteer in an administrative, project, or service capacity.
Community Recognition Award
The Community Recognition Award recognises the significant contribution of an individual or an organisation to events or activities.
Nominations for the Community Recognition Award should include written details of the contribution of an individual or organisation to an event or activity.
How to submit a Nomination
Download the ‘Nomination Form’ under ‘Resources for you’ on this page. Complete the form and send to Fight Parkinson’s via:
Email: [email protected] (DIGITAL)
Post: PO Box 116, Camberwell, VIC 3124 (PRINT)
Please submit your Nominations by 28 August 2026 and address to The Board of Fight Parkinson’s.
Assessment of Nominations
Nominations will be considered and assessed by the Board of Fight Parkinson’s. If no suitable nominations are received, no award is given.
Awards are not granted posthumously.
Nominations remain active for a period of two years. After this time, nominators will be invited to resubmit their nomination with updated information if they wish to keep the nomination under review.
Announcement of the Awards
Awards will be announced in November 2026.
Please don’t hesitate to reach out to Fight Parkinson’s if you have any questions:
Call: (03) 8809 0400
Email: [email protected]
