Congratulations to Louise Murphy, director and founder of the AFRF, on being announced as the winner in the Health Care Worker category for the Rotary Inspirational Women’s Award (RIWA) – see the announcement here.
Louise is a trained nurse and has worked in mental health, and drug and alcohol services in NSW Health, prisons, and with the Australian Department of Defence. The bushfire crisis of 2019/20 exposed the many needs of those who had fought and suffered from the fires. Louise has provided leadership and training to many in first aid, mental first aid and positive psychology; Louise now has set to work helping emergency first responders and community members, including those impacted by trauma and suicide. During a Winston Churchill Fellowship, Louise sought to understand the support needs of emergency first responders and has subsequently set up the AFRF. The Australian First Responder Foundation looks after the mental health and wellbeing of emergency first responders so that they can continue to look after our communities.
Her hard work and leadership as a volunteer with St John Ambulance and in establishing the AFRF – in service to the community and helping others is recognised in this award.
Congratulations to everyone who was nominated, or was recognised as a finalist or winner. You are all INSPIRATIONAL and doing amazing work in your community!!!
