In 2025, Shona Cross was honoured with the Sir Zelman Cowen Award for her outstanding Parkinson’s advocacy work, vulnerability in sharing her story with the world, and ambassadorship of Fight Parkinson’s. Ten years after her Parkinson’s diagnosis, Shona’s spirit of resilience, connection, and hope remains at the heart of Fight Parkinson’s.
“Fight Parkinson’s have been so good to me, and I do these things because I want to give a voice to other people, to let them know I have been there and that I can help them out if they’ve got a problem.” – Shona
For her outstanding voluntary service to the Parkinson’s community, Isa Adams received the Sir Zelman Cowen Award in 2023. From fundraising initiatives, to the creation of ParkinDance and the ParkinPlant Peer Support Group, to becoming a Fight Parkinson’s ambassador, we are grateful that Isa continues to inspire and elevate awareness of Parkinson’s in the community.
“I have made wonderful friends with others in the Parkinson’s community, we support each other and we support the cause… My life is so different than how I imagined it would have been. I feel blessed to have the opportunity to make a difference and to try to help others.” – Isa
Pam West was recognised for her exceptional voluntary service and advocacy for the Parkinson’s community, receiving the Sir Zelman Cowen Award in 2022. Pam channelled her generosity, creativity, and determination to drive impactful initiatives, like the 2017 Christmas Appeal, advocating at a Fight Parkinson’s influencers’ breakfast, and launching the ParKanDo Peer Support Group.
“The diagnosis made me realise how truly loved and lucky I am. For the first time, I was forced to focus on my needs before others.” – Pam
The impressive number of women who have received this award over the years is a perfect example of the dedication and heart that they bring to the fight against Parkinson’s. The women listed above are but a few of our most recent, deserving winners, but there were many more who paved the way before them, including:
- Christine Anderson – Awarded in 2021 for her generosity of Parkinson’s advocacy, fundraising, and storytelling of her own personal journey.
- Vale Judy Phelan – Awarded in 2020 for her long-time support, exemplary fundraising efforts, and amplitude of awareness raising for Fight Parkinson’s and the entire Parkinson’s community.
- Heather Jobling – Awarded in 2019 for her remarkable philanthropic efforts and establishing the first Victorian Parkinson’s singing group, ParkinSong Williamstown.
- Cheryl Barnes – Awarded in 2017 for her success in political campaigning to improve support for people with Parkinson’s and organisation of multiple fundraisers and events.
- Anne Mooney – Awarded in 2015 for her dedication to the PSP and Atypical Parkinson’s community, developing specialised peer and service support groups and raising funds for PSP research.
- Karyn Spilberg – Awarded in 2013 for an abundance of worthwhile fundraising and support initiatives, including founding the Young@Park Support Group, participating in The Pedaling for Parkinson’s Vietnam Challenge 2009, and attending international conferences.
- Anne Atkin – Awarded in 2012 for establishing the Painting with Parkinson’s program, nurturing creativity with an earnest passion for art and all the emotional and physical benefits that it brings.
Fight Parkinson’s would like to acknowledge that this list is not exhaustive and does not contain the names of all the women who were past recipients of the Sir Zelman Cowen Award beyond 2012.
To all women (and those who identify) in the Parkinson’s community, who advocate and care for loved ones with Parkinson’s–including PSP, MSA, CBS, and Young Onset–, are living with Parkinson’s, and are health care professionals providing services and support to those living with the condition, we see you. We acknowledge and appreciate your fighting spirit. And we are here for you.
