KINNECT Consultants named in Prestigious Industry Awards Shortlist

KINNECT is proud to announce that our highly skilled QLD consultants have been named as finalists in the ARPA Queensland Excellence in Workplace Rehabilitation Awards for 2021. 

The finalists include: 

• Grace Mathews, Outstanding Consultant Award – Same Employer
• James Mitchell, Outstanding Consultant Award – New Employer 

In addition, Brendan Turner was recognised for his previous work with KINNECT and listed as a finalist for Outstanding Achievement in RTW Award – Psychological Claim. Brendan was a huge asset to KINNECT while he worked with KINNECT as as Provisional Psychologist recently left to work in private practice under his full registration.

The Australian Rehabilitation Providers Association (ARPA) is the industry body which represents all providers of occupational and workplace rehabilitation. The Awards, held annually are designed to celebrate and showcase the Australian workplace health, return to work and rehabilitation industry’s many outstanding achievements and to acknowledge its importance in the broader community. 

About KINNECT’s Finalists: 

Grace Mathews is an Accredited Exercise Physiologist based in KINNECT’s Cairns office. Throughout 2020, Grace has demonstrated her exceptional ability to think creatively and flexibly about how to achieve return to work outcomes, especially given the uncertain, frequently changing and often challenging environment that has been ever-present throughout 2020. Always eager to learn and keen to share their knowledge with the team, Grace’s positive and caring nature makes her a winner for clients and customer alike, and a genuine delight to work with. 

James Mitchell is an Occupational Therapist, based in KINNECT’s Townsville Clinic. James’s ability to utilise clinical reasoning, vocational assessment, and interpersonal skills to develop client-centred vocational rehabilitation programs makes him a truly well-rounded consultant, highly regarded by all. He is regularly called upon to manage referrals that call for ‘an experienced consultant’, or to step in and provide support, coaching and training to our less experienced team members. The ability to be selfless with their time, despite carrying a challenging caseload of their own is a skill James deserves to be very proud of. 

Kevin Conlon, Chief Executive of KINNECT, said: 

“It makes us so happy that three KINNECTer’s, Brendan, Grace and James have been recognised this year in the Queensland ARPA Awards. They’ve demonstrated exceptional focus to gaining positive outcomes for their clients and their achievements are an inspiration to us all. Congratulations to this highly-skilled team! 

The winners will be announced at the QLD Awards event on 22 April and will then enter the National Awards to be held in May 2021 in Canberra, ACT.