The Pharmacy Guild of Australia/Maxigesic Pharmacy Assistant of the Year Award (PATY) has reached a new milestone, with a record-breaking 80 finalists participating this year. Eight Pharmacy Assistants, representing each Australian state and territory, have been selected to compete for the national title in September 2024.
Over the past two weeks, finalists showcased their pharmacy knowledge and leadership skills in virtual workshops. From these, the following Pharmacy Assistants emerged as state representatives:
- Australian Capital Territory: Danielle Peel, Cooleman Court Pharmacy, Weston
- Northern Territory: Karisa Lunn, Blooms the Chemist Bakewell
- New South Wales: Aidan Kassi, Amcal Pharmacy Kings Cross Centre, Sydney
- Queensland: Maddison Waide, Lucy Walker Pharmacy, Goondiwindi
- South Australia: Amy Clayson, Terry White Chemmart Normanville
- Tasmania: Seetha Naidoo, Terry White Chemmart Legana
- Victoria: Rebecca Frost, Gunn and McConville Medication Management, Balwyn North
- Western Australia: Demi Morton, Pharmacy 777 Tambrey, Nickol
The Pharmacy Guild of Australia’s Senior Vice President, Mr Nick Panayiaris, congratulated the winners for their valuable contribution to Australian community pharmacy.
“I would like to congratulate the winners for standing out as their state’s top Pharmacy
Assistant,” said Mr Panayiaris.
"This prestigious award was established nearly two decades ago and, with our largest number of finalists ever, they should be very proud to be recognised among the top eight Pharmacy Assistants in Australia.”
The finalists will convene in Sydney for an in-person national workshop during the 2024 Pharmacy Assistant National Conference (PA2024) in September. They will receive exclusive training and development sessions, return flights, accommodation, and complimentary registration to PA2024, which runs from 5-7 September 2024. Each finalist will also have the opportunity to be a judge in their respective PATY2025 state workshops and be featured in national industry publications.
The announcement of the national 2024 PATY Award winner will take place during the PA2024 Cocktail Party on September 6. The national winner will receive a $5,000 cash prize, complimentary registration, return flights, accommodation for APP2025 and PA2025, and an invitation to participate in the 2025 National Judging Workshop.
For over two decades, the PA National Conference has been a cornerstone in the education of Pharmacy Assistants throughout Australia. This year marks the second consecutive year the conference will be held alongside Pharmacy Connect, an event for pharmacists and pharmacy owners, featuring a joint 70-plus stand trade exhibition and social functions, including a Welcome Reception and Cocktail Party.
