Community
9 February, 2026
Award nomination for Let’s Talk
THE Let’s Talk Foundation has been nominated for multiple awards in the 2026 Suicide Prevention Australia LiFE Awards.
Let’s Talk has received two nominations for the Communities in Action award, while team member Kelly Marson was nominated in the Outstanding Contribution (individual) category.
Ms Marson, who is communication activation team leader for Let’s Talk, said she was thrilled to have been recognised with a nomination.
“None of us does this for applause or recognition, but it’s humbling to know that other people are noticing and appreciating the difference we are making,” Ms Marson said.
She will be in Melbourne on February 26 for the awards presentation ceremony.
Award recipients will also be automatically eligible for the National LiFE Awards to be presented in Sydney later this year.
The Let’s Talk Foundation was established in 2016 in response to a spate of youth suicides in south west Victoria.
Founders Michael and Jane Fitzgibbon, who tragically lost their son Sam, joined forces with mental health practitioner John Parkinson and set out on a mission to tackle the stigma around mental health.
Their mission today is still to encourage more people to talk openly about mental ill-health and to support communities to support one another.
Working at the ‘grassroots’ of local communities, the organisation delivers presentations and other events aimed at debunking the stigma around mental health and encouraging more help-seeking behaviours.
Let’s Talk Foundation board chair Karen Foster said the nomination alone was an affirming acknowledgement of the organisation’s work across south west Victoria.
“We couldn’t do this work without our team of volunteers, including the lived-experience speakers who share their own stories in the hope of inspiring even just one person to ask for help” Ms Foster said.
“It’s incredibly inspiring to work alongside the founders, Mick, Jane and John, whose energy and passion has made such a difference in our region over the years.”
The LiFE (Living is For Everyone) Awards recognise outstanding contributions to suicide prevention, with nominations received from across Australia.
