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Celebrating Contributions in Surrogacy and Donation: Australian Surrogacy and Donor Awards 2024
Recognising Outstanding Achievements in Australia’s Surrogacy and Donor Community and Industry

The inaugural Australian Surrogacy and Donor Awards 2024, held on 26 October 2024 at REVY — Doltone House in Sydney, celebrated the contributions of individuals and organisations for Australia’s surrogacy and donor communities. This prestigious gala event highlighted the achievements of those making a significant difference in the surrogacy and donation space, fostering a supportive environment for Australian families across the country.

Title sponsors Adri’s Gingerbread (adrisgingerbread.com.au) and Alcatord Management (alcatord.au) played a key role in making the event possible, supporting the achievements of nominees and sharing a commitment to creating a supportive environment for families through surrogacy and donation.

Special guest speaker, Mits Delisle of Rainbow Labor, highlighted the impact of the NSW Equality Bill, marking a historical change by decriminalising overseas commercial surrogacy arrangements for NSW citizens. Delisle spoke passionately about the impact of the reform: “No matter how our families are formed, they are rooted in love and care. And our respective journeys to family-hood have made us stronger and, I think, more empathetic.” He emphasised that “the most powerful and persuasive argument [for the bill] was that reform of parentage laws was, and is, in the best interests of the children.” Delisle praised the community’s contributions, saying, “A key part of our success was being able to share stories—your stories. Your stories and experiences reminded MPs that the debate was deeply personal for those it affected, and that the debate was fundamentally about people, trying to make a family, often against all odds.”

Emma Woodward, co-founder of the awards, highlighted the importance of recognising those who support surrogacy and donation journeys, stating, “Behind each story of surrogacy and donation is a network of supporters—friends, families, professionals—who make the journey possible. The awards are an opportunity to honour those contributions and celebrate the compassion that makes all the difference. Tonight, we pay tribute to the people who have supported and uplifted others in their most important moments.”

The awards celebrated individuals and organisations whose dedication to surrogacy and donation has made a meaningful impact. The 2024 winners include:

• Surrogacy Person of the Year (sponsored by Adri’s Gingerbread): Anita Fiorenza
• Donation Person of the Year (sponsored by Be The Impossible): Jemma Doig
• Australian Community Person of the Year (sponsored by unusualrisks.com.au): Paul Hadfield-Jia
• Surrogacy and Donation Business of the Year (sponsored by Alcatord Management): Surrogacy Australia
• Fertility Clinic of the Year: Fertility First
• Fertility Specialist of the Year: Dr Myvawny McIlveen (from Genea)
• Health Industry Worker of the Year: Rachel Hartopp from Life Fertility
• Professional Service Provider of the Year: Sarah Bevan (from Sarah Bevan Family Lawyers)
• Pregnancy and Birth Photographer of the Year: Bree Stafford (from BirthED with Bree)
• NSW and ACT Community Person of the Year: Leanne McKay
• QLD Community Persons of the Year: Jonny and Michael Parkersen
• SA and NT Community Person of the Year: Peter Clouting
• VIC and TAS Community Person of the Year: Tyson Smith
• WA Community Person of the Year: Paul Hadfield-Jia

The gala was made even more memorable by the engaging and jovial presenters, Jessica Brady, a financial adviser from jessicabrady.com.au, and Adam Zuchetti, known from Channel Nine’s 2023 season of Big Miracles, a fertility television series, and adamzuchetti.com. Their warmth and humour perfectly complemented the spirit of the inaugural celebration.

Alex Perchard, co-founder of the awards, expressed his pride in the accomplishments of all nominees, saying, “Tonight reflects our community’s strength and generosity. This year’s winners have shown an extraordinary commitment to supporting families, making a lasting impact and building connections within the surrogacy and donation community.”

Carlo Trovato, co-founder and advocate for surrogacy awareness, added, “The Australian Surrogacy and Donor Awards celebrate the amazing efforts that support families through surrogacy and donation. Recognising these achievements inspires others to continue this important work, celebrating the kindness and dedication that makes family-building possible for all Australians.”

The event not only recognised award winners but provided an opportunity for attendees to connect and share their experiences. The gala night was a highlight of the year, bringing together like-minded individuals and organisations who share a passion for advancing surrogacy and donation for all Australians.

The Australian Surrogacy and Donor Awards will continue as an annual tradition, highlighting those making a difference in surrogacy and donation for Australians. The awards aim to inspire future nominees, build awareness of surrogacy and donor-conceived families across Australia, and encourage more Australians to join this supportive community.

For more information about the awards and to learn more about the winners, visit asdawards.au. Follow Australian Surrogacy and Donation on social media and continue using the hashtags #surroawards and #donorawards.

Join us in celebrating the incredible achievements of the Australian Surrogacy and Donor Awards 2024 winners!

For media enquiries or interviews with the organisers, please contact:
Rachel Robertson
rachel@rocketcomms.com.au
0419 881 791