Alongside the sporting achievements and personal milestones, the Games provided an opportunity to recognise the athletes, teams and individuals who embodied the determination, generosity and community spirit at the heart of the transplant community.
From outstanding sporting performances to inspiring contributions, the 2026 Australian Transplant Games award winners represent the many ways transplantation can change lives.
Congratulations to all our award winners!
Team Awards
Victor Chang Memorial Shield – NSW
First awarded in 1992, the Victor Chang Memorial Shield recognises the Australian state or territory team achieving the highest overall points score across the Games, excluding junior competitors.
Dedicated to the memory of Dr Victor Chang, the pioneering heart transplant surgeon at St Vincent’s Hospital, the shield honours his lasting legacy in transplantation.
Congratulations to New South Wales.
Donor Family Shield – Northern Territory
First awarded in 1998, the Donor Family Shield is presented to the state team with the highest average total medal points per representative, excluding junior competitors.
Donated to Transplant Australia by a consortium of donor families, the shield recognises outstanding team performance and serves as a reminder of the generosity at the heart of organ and tissue donation.
Congratulations to the Northern Territory.
Mark Cocks Memorial Juniors Shield – NSW
First awarded in 2004, the Mark Cocks Memorial Juniors Shield recognises the most successful state team of junior competitors aged 17 and under.
The award honours Mark Cocks AM, Transplant Australia’s first chief executive officer, who served from 1996 until shortly before his death in 2007. A world-ranked professional tennis player and kidney transplant recipient, Mark made a lasting contribution to the organisation and its community.
Congratulations to New South Wales.
David Cairns Memorial Juniors Shield – Queensland
First awarded in 2012, the David Cairns Memorial Juniors Shield recognises the most successful state team of junior competitors aged 17 and under on a per-competitor basis.
The shield honours David Cairns, co-founder of Transplant Australia. A respected university lecturer and kidney transplant recipient, David played an important role in establishing the organisation and supporting the transplant community.
Congratulations to Queensland.
Individual Awards
Athlete of the Games – Kate Harper (WA) & Alex Wilcox (NSW)
The Athlete of the Games Shield recognises the most outstanding performances by an Australian male and female transplant athlete at the Games.
- Female Athlete of the Games: Kate Harper, WA
- Male Athlete of the Games: Alex Wilcox, NSW
Jan and Daryl Wall International Shield – Noppas Chung (Thailand)
Awarded to the most successful international athlete at the Games, the Jan and Daryl Wall International Shield recognises the achievements of competitors travelling from overseas to be part of the Australian Transplant Games.
The award honours the longstanding contributions of Jan and Daryl Wall to both national and international transplant sporting events.
Congratulations to Noppas Chung from Thailand.
DonateLife Shield – Linda Hindom (Queensland)
DonateLife Shield recognises the contribution of a donor family or living donor to the ideals and aims of the Australian Transplant Games.
The award acknowledges the generosity and selflessness of those who make transplantation possible, while celebrating the vital role donor families and living donors play in giving others a second chance at life.
Congratulations to Linda Hindom.
Spirit of the Games Award – Sharleigh Vermeulen (WA)
The Spirit of the Games Award recognises the person who best demonstrates the spirit of the Australian Transplant Games.
Donated by Jan Wall, Transplant Australia life member and Australia’s longest-serving team manager, the award celebrates the qualities that make the Games so special, including camaraderie, encouragement, resilience and respect.
Congratulations to Sharleigh Vermeulen.
Jack Nolan Memorial Trophy – Mark Dinnar (VIC)
The Jack Nolan Memorial Trophy is an encouragement award that recognises an athlete’s determination, effort and willingness to give their best.
Named after Jack Nolan, a heart transplant recipient who donated his corneas following his death. It celebrates the spirit of participation and perseverance, recognising that the value of the Games extends well beyond sporting results.
Congratulations to Mark Dinnar.
Transplant Australia congratulates all the 2026 Australian Transplant Games award winners and thanks every athlete, volunteer, donor family, living donor, supporter and team member who helped make the Games in Launceston such a meaningful celebration.
