We are pleased to announce the winners of the inaugural Support Worker Awards!
These awards recognise the exceptional dedication to personalised, reliable and quality support provided by independent support workers on the Mable platform.
What are the Support Worker Awards?
At Mable, we believe great support thrives on strong connections. That’s why we encourage clients and independent support workers to find the perfect match - not just in availability, but in values, skills, and compatibility.
So, we asked our community of clients to nominate their independent support worker that always goes above and beyond.
To enter, the client needed to submit a photo of themselves and their independent support worker, and tell us in 200 words or less why they deserve to win.
We were overwhelmed by the number of responses and the heartfelt reasons behind the nominations.
Good support is so much more than showing up for a shift. It’s about connection, commitment and genuine care for the person they support.
Winners were selected from each state and were awarded:
- A $1,000 voucher to a leading outlet of their choice
- An exclusive Mable merch pack and personalised trophy
- A shoutout on social media to recognise their dedication
- A feature in our monthly newsletter.
Plus, the clients who nominated them also won a $500 voucher to a leading outlet of their choice.
Congratulations to all of our winning support workers! Thank you for making such an impact on your client’s lives.
Meet the winning independent support workers
WA: Niari Purdy nominated Umair Ali
"Umair is the kindest, most professional, dedicated support worker I could ever have working to support my son Raymond to live his best life. My son and Umair are the same age which makes their bond even more special in that Raymond has a young man supporting him. Umair shows initiative and has such a gentle manner with Raymond that his integrity has been recognised by 3rd party service providers and members of Raymond's community. Raymond's face lights up when Umair arrives to start his shift. We feel so lucky to have Umair in our universe."
SA and NT: Maria Sbizzirri nominated Danielle Leal Sampaio
"Always with a cheery smile, Danielle arrives and does what needs to be done, no fuss, no asking. Caring, attentive and compassionate she gently encourages him to take a few more sips of water from the glass she offers him. Danielle checks his medicine, asks if he has slept well, makes his bed, does the laundry and prepares his lunch.
Always alert for his safety, she encourages him to walk a few steps further and to converse with her. She makes him smile, dress up for outings, and encourages a sense of wellbeing and pride in himself. Danielle also communicates her concerns with me.
With her RN training from Brazil, Danielle is always on the lookout for self-improvement opportunities. She studies to advance her knowledge base and looks for volunteering opportunities to strengthen her practical skills. She understands and practices client-focused care which takes precedence over domestic chores.
She is a treasure and a delight to have around and I relax when I know she is with him. Danielle is an exemplary support worker worthy of a 2025 Independent Support Worker Award."
ACT and NSW: Keryn Feeney nominated Debbie Lee-Davis
"Debbie has been an incredible asset to my son Joshua in his journey towards greater independence and wellbeing.
From the very first meeting, she displayed a genuine commitment to understanding his needs and goals. Her empathetic nature and active listening skills create a safe space for Josh to express his thoughts and feelings, making him feel valued and heard.
Debbie anticipates his needs before he even articulates them.
Whether it's helping him with daily tasks, guiding me through challenges, or encouraging him to pursue his interests, she approaches every situation with patience and positivity. She motivates me to go beyond my comfort zone.
Additionally, she is always professional through every interaction. She fosters a trusting relationship through her friendly and respectful demeanour.
I appreciate her consistent reliability, knowing that she's there when l need the support for Josh, giving me peace of mind.
Overall, Debbie has been a caring support worker, making a significant impact on Josh's life, helping me to grow, learn and thrive. I am very grateful for her unwavering support and dedication."
Qld: Debra Pitura nominated Jo-Ann Lorney
"I have never met such a compassionate, empathetic and giving person in my entire life. Joanne always goes above and beyond the expectations of what is required as a carer.
Her loyalty to my Mum is incredible, she will be there to cover any gaps in support hours and does things like batch cooking in her own home, making goodies to fill up the fridge and freezer on a regular basis.
She always takes Mum to all her appointments to podiatrist, doctor and dentist, as well as regular appointments to take the dog to the vet and groomer.
These are not really her responsibility, they should be mine. In all honesty Joanne looks after Mum better than I could ever do. Words are just not enough to show my appreciation so I am hoping this acknowledgement will let her know how grateful we are to have her.
The photo attached is Joanne with Carleen who is my Mum. This was a birthday surprise for her 89th Birthday that she arranged for her. How grand is that, she is just the Best. Incredible human being."
Vic: Rachael Sweeney nominated Carly Lavin
"Carly, at just 21 has brought joy and renewal to my 100 year old nan’s life with her exceptional dedication and care. Her efforts often go above and beyond, something noticed and deeply appreciated by Nan’s family, friends, and neighbors, who know how important living at home is to her. Carly recently took Nan to see the Christmas lights in her local town, a heartwarming experience Nan hadn’t enjoyed in years.
Carly’s age is a testament to the vital need for young people to enter the aged care field. Her passion and commitment, even while working through her university break to support her studies in aged care and disability work, highlight how rewarding this career path can be.
Carly’s ability to connect with Nan, uplift her spirits, and enrich her life is truly inspiring. Recognizing Carly with this award would not only support her as she continues her journey in this essential field but also encourage other young people to consider aged care as a meaningful career. Carly embodies the future of compassionate support, and she deserves this recognition for the incredible impact she’s had on Nan and everyone around her."
Tas: Christine Taylor nominated Toni Barrett
"Toni is a fabulous support worker and she has made my life better. I now have routine care which is what I needed. She is always eager to help in any way she can.
I love her company because we can have a laugh and also talk a lot. She always does a great job when she cleans or cooks for me. She has helped me to overcome some of my fears.
Her genuine caring has helped me to be able to go out more, even to have overnight bookings where we can go out to eat, which is all I can really do these days, as it's hard for me to go out by myself. Due to the fact I am not able to walk much anymore it is good to be able to go out and know that I have someone with me that knows how to support me.
If you asked me what is the thing I like most about Toni, I would say it's her genuine caring. I will always hire Toni because carers like her are not always easy to get. Thank you Toni for all you have done and will do for me."
