25 August 2021

Eight pharmacy assistants representing each state and territory have been selected to compete for the national title of this year’s Pharmacy Guild of Australia/ Maxigesic Pharmacy Assistant of the Year Award (PATY).

Now in its 15th year, PATY is the premier award for pharmacy assistants in Australia. As in 2020, this year’s award is being contested entirely online due to COVID-19 restrictions.

The State Winners were selected during the virtual judging workshops, where participants demonstrated their pharmacy knowledge and showcased their skills in customer service and leadership.

Congratulations to the following pharmacy assistants, who will now take part in the PATY National Finals on 21 October:

ACT Meryl Banerjie – Erindale Pharmacy
NT Ashleigh Hutson – Bardens Amcal Pharmacy
NSW Lauren Marks – Coopers Pharmacy Taree
QLD Emma Tewes – Good Price Pharmacy Warehouse Kingaroy
SA Mignonne Hill – Melbourne Street Pharmacy
TAS Morgan Goninon – Terry White Chemmart Windsor
VIC Robyn Peters – Priceline Pharmacy Warragul
WA Sarah Fawcett – Pharmacy 194

The Pharmacy Guild of Australia’s National President, Trent Twomey congratulated the State Winners for their valuable contribution to community pharmacy in Australia.

“This prestigious award was created to recognise pharmacy assistants who go the extra mile to help their customers and who are proactive in developing their own careers,” Mr Twomey said.

“The calibre of PATY nominees is always extremely high, and each candidate displays a strong commitment to their work and the industry which I am extremely impressed with.”

“I congratulate this year’s eight State Winners for standing out as their state’s top pharmacy assistant.
By participating in the National Finals, the State Winners will be in the running to take home over $10,000 in prizes including a $5,000 cash prize, a training package, educational opportunities and other great rewards.

Award judges, Dan Shalhoub and Artie Kalogeropoulos from AFT Pharmaceuticals, the award’s major sponsor, also congratulated the winners on their achievement.

“I congratulate all eight State Winners for standing out as their state’s top pharmacy assistants and I look forward to seeing them all at the National Finals on 21 October,” Mr Shalhoub and Mr Kalogeropoulos said.

In addition to the main award, PATY features the Glucojel Super Star Award, which recognises outstanding customer service amongst the PATY state finalists. Congratulations to the following winners of the Glucojel Super Star Award in each state:

ACT Fiona Wren – Capital Chemist Kambah
NT Melissa Dass – PharmaSave Casuarina Village Pharmacy
NSW Natalie Saunders – Chemistworks Boolaroo
QLD Donna Williamson – Redland Bay Discount Drug Store
SA Hollie Kain – Tim Siv’s TerryWhite Chemmart
TAS Lisa Brown – Priceline Pharmacy Glenorchy
VIC Leanne Phillips – Priceline Pharmacy Mooroolbark
WA Bryan Hann – Midland Pharmacy & Compounding Centre