The winners of the Elizabeth Crowther Peer Work Scholarship 2025 (peer work involves individuals with lived experience of mental health issues supporting others who are facing similar challenges) have been announced, and we are inspired to see six dedicated individuals putting their lived experience into practice. Each of them has chosen a course that enhances their careers and personal development. The successful candidates are:
- Prashneel Chand – Medicare Mental Health Centre Peer Navigator – Alcohol and Other Drugs (AOD), Rockhampton, QLD
- Myles Cook – Wellbeing Worker, Psychosocial Recovery Service, Mildura, VIC
- Courtney Edwards – Peer Support Recovery Worker, Youth Community Living Support Services, Lismore, NSW
- Nicholle McEwan – Carer Coach, Carer Gateway, Toowoomba, QLD
- Kylie Robertson – Medicare Mental Health Centre Peer Navigator – AOD, Gladstone, QLD
- Lyndal Stokes – Carer Support Worker, Carer Gateway, Upper Mount Gravatt, QLD
At a time when lived and living experience is a central component of mental health care, this scholarship honours those dedicated to peer support and leadership.
A Legacy of Peer Leadership
Elizabeth Crowther, CEO of Wellways from 1995 to 2019, championed the inclusion of people with lived experience in every stage of program development and management. Since 2020, the Wellways Board has continued to honour lived experience leadership, including through this scholarship, which helps individuals grow their peer work skills and careers.
Five winners were keen to share their stories upon receiving the exciting news.
Prashneel Chand
Medicare Mental Health Centre Peer Navigator AOD
Prash was overwhelmed with gratitude when he learned he had won. To him, the scholarship is more than just an achievement – it validates his dedication to mental health and peer work.
Leveraging the scholarship, he is completing a Dual Certificate IV in Alcohol and Other Drugs and Mental Health, inspired by his own lived experience of substance dependence and mental health challenges.
“Throughout my peer work, I’ve observed how these issues frequently intersect, creating unique support needs. Having lived experience battling addiction and correlated mental health issues myself, I understand the importance of holistic support that addresses both aspects comprehensively,” he shares.
Prash hopes this qualification will equip him with deeper insights, enabling him to better advocate for participants and contribute to his multidisciplinary team at the Medicare Mental Health Centre in Rockhampton.
Outside of work, Prash leads a dynamic life – playing soccer and cricket at a competitive level when representing Fijian-based teams, DJing, and saving for the wedding his fiancée is meticulously planning. He also helps run the Central Queensland Animal Society, a local animal rescue organisation, alongside his fiancée, who is the president.
Prash and his wife
Prash on the decks as DJ
What a catch! Prash in his element as goalie
Prash in action (back far left) at the opening of the Rockhampton Medicare Mental Health Centre
Courtney Edwards
Peer Support Recovery Worker, Youth Community Living Support Services
Like many of the winners this year, Courtney was taken by surprise but felt incredibly grateful for the opportunity to expand her knowledge of peer work in the mental health field.
She has chosen to undertake the Managing Workers with Lived Experience course, believing in the power of peer support to create meaningful change. Courtney hopes to gain a deeper understanding of her role as a peer worker while empowering her colleagues, participants, and the broader community.
When she’s not working, Courtney enjoys exploring her local creeks with her partner and dogs in tow. She’s also a big fan of cooking shows and occasionally puts the recipes she discovers into action.
Nicholle McEwan
Carer Coach, Carer Gateway
Nicholle was completely taken by surprise when she found out she had won. For her, the scholarship is a chance to pursue one of her biggest passions: Rhythm to Recovery Drumming Facilitation.
Having experienced the benefits of drumming for her own mental health, Nicholle introduced it to carers at Wellways Carer Gateway during a wellbeing session. At the time, she enlisted the help of an external facilitator but looks forward to leading drumming sessions herself after completing this course.
She hopes to support carers manage overwhelm through rhythm – guiding them towards a calmer state where they can problem-solve and respond to stress more effectively.
Nicholle prioritises her own wellbeing through kite flying, fire twirling, reading, and gaming – proving that joy and self-care come in many forms!
Nicholle – drumming with carers (pictured with identities respectfully kept private)
Nicholle fire twirling
Kylie Robertson
Medicare Mental Health Centre Peer Navigator AOD
Kylie was so surprised by her win that she had to take a moment to process the news! Encouraged by her manager to apply, she is now completing a Diploma of Counselling to strengthen her role as a Peer Wellbeing Navigator.
Already putting her new skills into practice, Kylie is excited to deepen her knowledge and enhance the support she provides.
A mum to three kids – a teenage son and twin daughters – Kylie somehow also finds time for her love of concerts. Recently, she even lived out a lifelong dream by getting invited on stage with Coldplay! Her advice? “If you want something, go for it!”- a mantra she applied when going for the scholarship too.
Kylie hard at work
Once in a lifetime! Kylie had the unforgettable experience of being invited on stage with Chris Martin at a Coldplay concert!
Lyndal Stokes
Carer Support Worker, Carer Gateway
Lyndal was overjoyed to receive the scholarship, despite doubting her chances. She is putting it towards completing a Certificate IV in Mental Health Peer Work while benefiting from paid study leave.
As both a carer and someone with lived experience of mental health challenges, Lyndal is eager to share her journey to help others feel supported and valued.
‘There is still stigma within the community for people with a mental illness and I want to work to help change that, so people feel they are a valued member of their community still and that having a mental illness is no different from having any other illness or disability,’ Lyndal says.
Her ultimate goal is to move into a dedicated peer support role, not only to listen to participants but to offer empathy and guidance through her own lived experience.
Outside of work, Lyndal’s passions include baking (which her colleagues are more than happy to sample), watching cricket, and growing roses. She also shares her home with two dogs and two cats, who are particularly fond of setting up camp on her keyboard and laptop.
Lyndal, about to enjoy a meal in a restaurant after a day of shopping
Winners of Elizabeth Crowther Peer Work Scholarship 2024
Meet the 2024 winners
Find out more about winners, Jemma Podem, Team Leader in Gippsland, Victoria and Clare Long, Senior Peer Wellbeing Worker in Tasmania.