Independent Audiologists Australia (IAA) has presented its inaugural Indy Awards at its Audiology Unchained 2025 conference in Queensland.
The IAA Awards 2025 celebrate excellence in independent audiology. Ms Julie Watts, IAA executive officer, said they recognised members who embodied the organisation’s values of quality, integrity, and independence, and who made outstanding contributions to their colleagues, clients, and communities.
The annual conference was at Mantra Mooloolaba Beach on the Sunshine Coast, Queensland from 17 to 18 October 2025. It featured two days of lectures, interactive workshops, group sessions, a trade exhibition and gala dinner.
IAA (Indy) Awards 2025 recipients were:
- IAA values award: Ms Nicole Eglinton. This award recognised the member who best embodies IAA’s core values of quality, integrity, and independence. It recognises someone who leads by example and demonstrates these values in every aspect of their practice.
- Practice innovation: Ms Sara Patterson. The award recognises clinics or individuals who introduce fresh approaches, service models, or technologies that improve patient care or clinic operations. It celebrates practical innovation that sets a benchmark for the profession.
- Community champion: Ms Seray Lim and Mrs Laura Drexler were joint winners. The award is for outreach and advocacy that makes an impact beyond the clinic walls. This award celebrates members who raise awareness of hearing health, build community partnerships, champion independent audiology in the public space, or carry out significant philanthropic work alongside their clinical practice.
- Flying start award: Ms Kathryn Penno. This award shines a spotlight on a newer practice owner (within their first five years of independent practice) who has already demonstrated initiative, innovation, and commitment to the profession. They are emerging as a future leader to watch.
- Mentor of the year: Ms Philippa Carter. This award is for the member who goes above and beyond in supporting others’ growth and highlights those who nurture students, early-career audiologists, or peers with guidance, encouragement, and generosity.
Other awards presented were:
- Distinguished service award: Dr Louise Collingridge, former IAA CEO and executive officer who worked for IAA for 11 years. Ms Julie Watts said: “Nobody has worked harder to achieve audiologist registration than Dr Collingridge. It was an honour to present her with this award.”
- Service awards: 2024–2025 executive committee – Ms Rachel Gibson, Dr Heidi Modrovich, Mr Mo Helou, Dr Tegan Keogh, Dr Greg Butcher, Mr Grant Collins and Dr Signe Steers.
- Decade of service award: Mr Grant Collins.
*A conference report with more details will feature in Hearing Practitioner Australia’s December-January magazine edition.
