We awarded the inaugural Lifetime Achievement Award in 2021.
Ailsa Whitehead AM
In honour of distinguished service, significant contribution and leadership in mental health in Queensland, particularly services to mental health carers
Citation: Ailsa Whitehead AM was the inaugural recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award in 2021, having devoted more than 40 years as a leader in mental health carer support initiatives in Queensland.
Through her role as President of the Arafmi Management Committee for 17 years, Ailsa provided outstanding leadership and made a difference to the lives of countless Queensland carers. She played a significant role in identifying carer needs, planning for these needs to be met, and advocating for system change.
Ailsa was instrumental in setting up the Arafmi Telephone Support Line. The 24-hour support line continues to operate statewide and Ailsa, the longest serving volunteer, recently retired at 94 years of age.
