What is the Max Gardner Award?
The Max Gardner Award for Distinguished Service is a prestigious award presented by Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia (PCFA). It is awarded to an individual member of a Support Group that has made an outstanding and significant contribution to reducing the impact of prostate cancer on Australian men, their partners and families.
Who was Max Gardner?
Max was a passionate advocate for cancer support services. He was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 1995 and firmly believed that if his cancer had been diagnosed earlier, he still might be around today. With this thought in mind, he became an advocate for early diagnosis and dedicated himself to ensuring that other men diagnosed with prostate cancer would have a better chance in life than he did. From diagnosis until his death in October 2004, Max worked tirelessly to raise the level of community awareness about prostate cancer, to promote research into this disease and to support men and women dealing with prostate cancer. He was instrumental in establishing the Network with other likeminded men and women. Max also published a newsletter for his own St Vincent’s Hospital Prostate Cancer Support Group in Sydney and served on numerous educational, scientific and generic cancer committees and boards.
Who can be nominated?
This award is a peer-based form of recognition for PCFA Support Group members. Individuals nominated must have been or are currently in a Support Group Leader role or be an active member of an Affiliated Support Group. Individuals cannot nominate themselves, partners or family members. As the award is presented by PCFA it is also expected that the nominee has upheld PCFA organisational values.
How do you prepare a nomination?
Utilise either the online or PDF Nomination form supplied, and simply follow the instructions and submit as indicated. Note the PDF form can be printed and completed, or you can type your responses in the fillable sections; the text will automatically adjust size to fit into the allocated space.
When describing the individual’s contribution, it is important to provide specific examples and dates wherever possible to show how the nominee’s contribution stands out from other members of the Support Group. We recommend seeking out two referees early, who are required to provide a statement of support. There is capacity to include key supporting documents that support the nomination.
How are nominations assessed?
Through the nomination form and relevant attachments, nominees need to demonstrate an outstanding contribution, making an impact that reflects Max’s vision: to reduce the impact of prostate cancer on Australian men, their partners and families, These nominations are then assessed by a group of peers; a shortlist of recommendations is presented to the National Board for final approval.
Are nominations confidential?
Nominations need to be submitted in confidence without the nominee being informed. All nominees selected for the Max Gardner Award will be contacted with their acceptance of the award confirmed prior to announcement.
How does everyone find out the outcome?
Max Gardner Awardees will receive a letter informing them of their successful nomination. All nominators will be contacted and will receive written confirmation of the Max Gardner Awardees, regardless of whether the person nominated received the award. An announcement email will subsequently be sent to the PCFA network of Support Groups. Max Gardner Awardees will be recognised on PCFA’s website, Facebook and in various publications. It is up to nominators to share the outcome directly with referees who provided additional support for the nominee.
Who else has won a Max Gardner Award?
A list of previous winners is available via the PCFA website. Additionally, the most recent winners have a brief synopsis of their contribution recorded under their names.
Where do I go for more information or help?
Contact Support Group & Administration Coordinator via email: supportnetwork@pcfa.org.au or 1800 22 00 99.
