Sister Maria Cunningham RSC OAM worked as a nurse, a nurse educator and a leader of Catholic health care ministries for all of her working life. She was instrumental in the establishment of Catholic Health Australia. She set an example for others by committing her life to service of the sick and the poor through working in hospitals, prisons and with mothers and children. In recognition of her life of service, Catholic Health Australia awarded her the inaugural Sr Maria Cunningham Lifetime Contribution Award in 2011, and named the award after her.

Nominations will be called for each year for the award. The award, to be announced at the annual CHA awards dinner during the national conference, will be given to a person who has made a significant contribution to the Church's presence in health and aged care. This person will have inspired and mentored others working in Catholic health and aged care ministries, and through their work or influence have enabled the healing love of Jesus to be felt by people in need. Not only will this person have made an impact within Catholic ministry, but they will also have had an impact on the broader community.

Nominations should be made confidentially to the Catholic Health Australia CEO, and the CHA Stewardship Board will determine an appropriate winner to be announced each August.

Recipients of the award have been:

• 2011: Sr Maria Cunningham, RSC
• 2011: Sr Helen Monkivitch, RSM
• 2012: Sr Angela Mary Doyle, RSM
• 2013: Sr Isobel Moran, SJG
• 2014: Bishop Michael Putney (Awarded posthumously)

The 2012 Awards were presented at a formal dinner on Tuesday, August 21, during CHA's National Conference at Fraser's, Kings Park, Perth. The awards were announced by CHA CEO Martin Laverty and presented by Peter Bugden, the chair of the awards sponsor, Catholic Super. Click on the award winner's name for more information.

Sr Maria Cunningham Lifetime Contribution Award - Sr Angela Mary Doyle, RSM, AO
CHA Emerging Leader - Karen-Leigh Edward - Nursing Research Unit director, St Vincent's Private Melbourne/Australian Catholic University
CHA Nurse Of The Year - Ailsa Tate - mental health triage nurse, St John of God Pinelodge Clinic
Leadership in Positive Ageing - Imagine fund - Southern Cross Care (Vic)
Outreach Healthcare - Safe Start program - Hawkesbury District Health Service

The 2011 Awards were presented at a formal dinner on Thursday 1 September, during CHA's National Conference at the Great Hall in Parliament House, Canberra. The awards were announced by CHA CEO Martin Laverty and presented by CHA Stewardship Board Chairman Tony Wheeler.

Sr Maria Cunningham Lifetime Contribution Award -Sr Helen Monkivitch, RSM, AO
CHA Emerging Leader - Sue Walker - Director of Perinatal Medicine and Sheila Handbury Chair, Maternal Fetal Medicine at Mercy Hospital for Women
CHA Nurse of The Year - Kerry Brenzi - Registered Midwife, St John of God Hospital Murdoch, WA
Leadership in Positive Ageing - Welcome Program - Ave Maria Village, Southern Cross Care (Vic), Shepparton
Outreach Healthcare - Occupational Therapy Services at Long Bay Hospital - Calvary Health Care Sydney

The 2010 Awards were presented at a formal dinner on Tuesday 24 August, during CHA's National Conference in Adelaide. The awards were announced by CHA CEO Martin Laverty and presented by CHA Stewardship Board Chairman Tony Wheeler.

CHA Emerging Leader - Belinda Gibson - Elective Surgery Manager, St Vincent's Hospital Melbourne
CHA Nurse of The Year - Helen Walker - Clinical Manager, Mary Potter Hospice, Adelaide
Leadership in Positive Ageing - Prague House - St Vincent's Hospital, Melbourne
Outreach Healthcare - Youth Engagement Program - St John of God Hospital, Geelong & Barwon Youth

The 2009 Awards were presented at a formal dinner on Tuesday 18 August, during CHA's National Conference in Hobart. The awards were announced by CHA CEO Martin Laverty and presented by Tasmanian Deputy Premier and Health Minister Lara Giddings.

CHA Emerging Leader - Dr Carrie Lethborg, Coordinator, Cancer Social Work Team, St Vincent's Melbourne
CHA Nurse of The Year-Suzie Hooper, Group Coordinator, Rehabilitation Service Development, St John of God Healthcare
Leadership in Positive Ageing - Auburn House, St Vincent's Melbourne
Outreach Healthcare - Catholic Care of the Aged, Port Macquarie, NSW