Palliative Care Victoria is delighted to announce the recipient of the 2026 Noala Flynn AM Award for Excellence in Palliative Care Nursing is Kirsten Mitchener (Nurse Practitioner, Mercy Palliative Care).
The Noala Flynn AM Award is presented each year during National Palliative Care Week to a Victorian palliative care nurse who has shown exceptional talent, quality, or commitment that surpasses usual standards, and consistently goes above and beyond to make a difference.
This year, the award was presented by the Victorian Minister for Health, The Hon. Harriet Shing MP, during her opening of the PCV 2026 Summit, held at Centrepiece, Melbourne. We were also honoured to have Noala Flynn AM’s daughter, Allison, in attendance - who joined the Minister to participate in the ceremony.
The PCV Summit brings together sector leaders, clinicians and advocates to discuss innovations and advancements in palliative care, making the perfect environment to celebrate Kirsten’s outstanding leadership and career to date.
Minister for Health, The Hon. Harriet Shing MP, with Kirsten Mitchener
Kirsten has gone above and beyond in every facet of her practice – quietly achieving remarkable outcomes, leading with integrity and consistently embodying the values at the heart of the profession.
With over 20 years of experience, Kirsten has had a profound impact on palliative care, and in her community. She has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to delivering the highest standards of evidence-based, patient-centred care, which has not only improved the experiences of those in her care, but has also inspired her colleagues and the broader palliative care community.
Kirsten’s influence extends beyond Mercy Health. In her role as a lecturer at the University of Sydney Nursing Program, she shares her expertise with the next generation of nurses, ensuring that new graduates enter the profession with an understanding of palliative care principles and the confidence to deliver exceptional care. Her dedication to education strengthens the broader nursing community and helps embed quality palliative practice across the sector.
Kirsten is a true embodiment of the legacy of Noala Flynn AM’s work, and we are proud to honour her outstanding achievements with this award. In honouring Kirsten, we recognise that palliative care nurses not only provide vital care to Victorians with life-limiting illness, but also leadership and mentorship to their colleagues and their community.
For more information or comment:
Adj. A/ Prof Violet Platt
CEO, Palliative Care Victoria
ceo@pallcarevic.asn.au
General enquiries:
info@pallcarevic.asn.au
Learn more about the Award