2024 Outstanding Contributions honoured

These awards acknowledge people who have made substantial and meaningful contributions to improving the lives of Victorians affected by, or at risk of, diabetes.

Congratulations to Professor Thomas Kay and Georgina (Georgie) Peters for making a difference to the lives of people with diabetes. At Diabetes Victoria’s Thank You event, we were delighted to award Professor Thomas Kay with the 2024 Diabetes Victoria Outstanding Contribution Award, and Georgie Peters with the Outstanding Contribution – Lived Experience with Diabetes Award.

Meet Professor Thomas Kay

For over 30 years, Professor Thomas Kay has demonstrated exceptional dedication and groundbreaking research in the field of diabetes, profoundly impacting the lives of Victorians affected by diabetes.

As the Director of St Vincent’s Institute of Medical Research (SVI), Professor Kay's research focuses on the immune mechanisms that destroy insulin-producing beta cells in diabetes. He is Chief Investigator on the NHMRC Program Grant titled “Pathogenesis-based Treatment of Type 1 Diabetes (T1D)”, which represents a shift in managing T1D, moving from symptom management to addressing the root causes of the disease.

His academic journey began with a medical degree from the University of Melbourne, followed by clinical endocrinology training at the Royal Melbourne Hospital, a PhD in immunology at the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute, and a post-doctoral fellowship at Massachusetts General Hospital.

In addition to his role at SVI, Professor Kay is the Executive Director of the Aikenhead Centre for Medical Discovery.

Professor Kay holds several honorary positions: he is an Honorary Professorial Fellow at the University of Melbourne, an Honorary Endocrinologist at St Vincent’s Hospital Melbourne, and an Honorary Visiting Professor at the Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore. He has been a Fellow of the Australian Academy of Health and Medical Sciences since 2016.

Professor Kay’s contributions reflect a deep commitment to reducing the impact of diabetes across Victoria.

Meet Georgie Peters

Since her diagnosis of Type 1 diabetes at the age of 18, Georgie has dedicated her life to supporting young people with type 1 diabetes. Over the past 12 years, she has volunteered at Diabetes Victoria camps, attending 17 camps in roles such as group mentor and Volunteer Coordinator. Her leadership and advocacy have been invaluable, guiding volunteers and managing daily camp operations.

Georgie has been involved in various webinars aimed at supporting and educating young people with type 1 diabetes. These webinars cover topics such as diabetes management, peer support, and body positivity. She manages the Instagram and Facebook accounts “Body Posi Betes,” where she advocates for diabetes awareness and body positivity. With over 4,000 followers, her social media presence provides a significant platform for her advocacy. Georgie’s unique and positive perspective on living with diabetes resonates deeply with the community, making her reach and impact substantial.

A few years ago, Georgie contributed to the Expert Consumer Consultation Group, offering valuable insights and feedback on programs and initiatives.

Georgie Peters’ contributions to the diabetes community are extensive and impactful, making her a valuable advocate and leader for all people living with type 1 diabetes.

For more information about previous recipients of the Diabetes Victoria Outstanding Contribution awards visit https://www.diabetesvic.org.au/outstanding-contribution-awards/