We’re excited to announce the VMIAC Consumer Leadership Awards are back and heading to Arts Centre Melbourne!
For 45 years, VMIAC has worked alongside others with lived and living experience of mental health challenges to improve systems, advance human rights and strengthen the voice of consumers across Victoria.
On 25 February 2027, we’ll be celebrating our history, recognising the people creating change today, and providing a platform for the consumer leaders of tomorrow.
The evening will bring together our members and Victoria’s mental health and community sectors to celebrate the consumer movement and the progress made thanks to lived experience leadership.
Please note: the Arts Centre event is for members and invited guests only. Members, your invitations have been emailed to you. If you’re not a member and would like to attend, you must apply for membership by 29 January 2027.
2027 Award categories
Lifetime Contribution Award
Recognising an individual whose sustained contribution has significantly strengthened or shaped the consumer movement in Victoria.
Human Rights Award
Recognising work that advances the human rights, dignity, equality and justice of people with lived and living experience.
Equity and Inclusion Award
Recognising work that advances equity, inclusion and meaningful participation for people whose voices and experiences have been overlooked or excluded.
Consumer Worker of the Year — Community
Recognising a consumer/lived experience worker who has made an outstanding contribution to consumer leadership and practice in a community setting.
Consumer Worker of the Year — Clinical
Recognising a consumer/lived experience worker who has made an outstanding contribution to consumer leadership and practice in a clinical setting.
Consumer Advisory Group Award
Recognising a consumer-led advisory group or collective that has created meaningful change through collective consumer voice and leadership.
Ally of the Year
Recognising a person or organisation that has demonstrated meaningful, sustained and active support for the consumer movement and consumer leadership.
Emerging Consumer Leader Award
Recognising an emerging leader who is making a meaningful contribution to the consumer movement and helping shape its future.
Call for nominations – Tell us who deserves an award
Anyone interested in our work and consumer leadership is encouraged to make a nomination – you don’t need to be a VMIAC member. Depending on the Award category, you can nominate yourself, another person, or a group or organisation making a difference in Victoria. And you can make multiple nominations in multiple categories.
Nominees may include:
- People with lived and living experience
- Consumer and lived experience workers
- Peer workers
- Advocates and activists
- Community leaders
- Consumer-led groups and collectives
- Consumer advisory groups
- Organisations and services
- Allies
They don’t have to be famous. They don’t need to be in a senior position or have a fancy title. And they don’t need to be perfect. What matters is that they’ve made a contribution to strengthening the voice, rights and leadership of people with lived and living experience of mental health challenges in Victoria.
If you’d like to see someone recognised for their contribution, you must submit your nomination by 17 December.
Read the judging criteria (coming soon)
Meet the judges (coming soon)
Expression of interest – Be part of our Members’ Showcase
As part of the Awards event, we’re planning a Members’ Showcase and inviting all VMIAC members to get creative and be part of the evening’s entertainment.
We’re not after seasoned performers or professional artists. All you need is something to share and the enthusiasm to help us highlight the breadth of lived experience. Our focus is inclusivity, diversity, and connection.
Many of us have experienced feeling invalidated, shut down, or not in control of our own story. So, we’re creating a space for our members to tell their own story and to express themselves in whatever way they choose.
Thoughtstarters
The Members’ Showcase is all about creativity so we’re open to your ideas. You could share your visual art (paintings, drawings, photography, sculpture, crafts, textiles), poetry or spoken word (text-based or live performances), comedy and storytelling, or something else entirely!
Get your creative juices flowing and tell us how you’d like to participate by 15 December.
Key dates
- 11 November – Nominations open
- 25 November – Awards judges announced
- 15 December – Members’ Mad Pride Showcase EOI closes
- 17 December – Award nominations close
- 21 December – Nominees announced
- 25 February – 2027 Awards presentation event
Further information and support
If we can support your involvement or make the event more accessible, or if you have any questions, please contact membership@vmiac.org.au or call reception on (03) 9380 3900.