Board Awards

The GESA Board Awards recognises outstanding achievements and services delivered by the Society’s members and/or persons of eminence in the science and practice of gastroenterology and liver health. 

Annual GESA Board Awards

GESA Mid-Career Grant Award - 2026 Applications Open 

Click here to apply now on the GESA Grants Portal.

The purpose of the award is to support a mid-career researcher in Gastroenterology and Hepatology with a $25,000 (excl. GST) research grant. The successful applicant will have a demonstrated interest in the research of health and disease related to the broad field of either Gastroenterology or Hepatology.

Past Recipient:

From 2024, the name of the award will reflect the researcher's field.

If the researcher works in Hepatology, they will be awarded the Lawrie Powell AC Grant Award, and in Gastroenterology, the Barry Marshall Grant Award.

• 2025 - Ed Giles (Barry Marshall Grant Award) & Thomas Tu (Lawrie Powell AC Grant Award)
• 2024 - Andrew Cox (Lawrie Powell AC Grant Award)
• 2023 - Sumaira Hasnain (Lawrie Powell AC Grant Award - Established 2023)

Distinguished Researcher Prize (DRP) - 2026 Applications Open

Submit your nomination by completing this form HERE

The Distinguished Researcher Prize (DRP) award recognises the outstanding contribution to research in the fields of gastroenterology and hepatology by a GESA member. The Award is presented at GESA's Annual Scientific Meeting  following the recipients presentation.

Applications close: Thursday 28 May 2026

Selection Criteria:

Confirmation of adherence to each of the points outlined in the Selection Criteria. 

Nominations will be accepted for current financial GESA members only, made by current financial GESA members and should address and provide:

• The nominee must be a current financial member of GESA and the nominator must be a member of the Society.
• The nominee’s research contribution must have been sustained over a number of years resulting in publications in recognised scientific journals.
• The contribution may have been primarily as an individual who has done much of the work, or as the leader of a productive team where the recipient provides the main strategic direction and intellectual input.
• Preference will be given to a member whose research was carried out in Australia.
• For overseas research to qualify, it should only be of a contributing nature, rather than representing the major component of the research. 

Nomination:

• Confirmation of adherence to each of the points outlined in the Selection Criteria (above).
• The breadth and nature of the nominee’s research with emphasis to its relevance and importance to the field of gastroenterology and/or hepatology.
• Full curriculum vitae of the applicant including reference to all past and present research projects.  

Presentation of Award:

The Award will be presented at Australian Gastroenterology Week.

Past Recipients of the DRP:

Outstanding Clinician Award (OCA) - Applications Open for 2026 

Submit your nomination by completing this form HERE

The GESA Outstanding Clinician Award recognises a GESA member's outstanding contribution to clinical gastroenterology and hepatology, particularly recognising mentorship and clinical excellence over many years of practice and a notable contribution to research.

Applications close: Thursday 28 May 2026

Selection Criteria:

The nominee must satisfy the following criteria: 

• Must be a current financial member of the Society for the past 12 months.
• Must NOT be currently serving on the GESA Board.
• A career in clinical practice sustained over a number of years. Important: This award will recognize a distinguished career in clinical practice which may also include a notable contribution to research.   
• Must be available to attend (AGW) in that year to accept the award and deliver a plenary presentation on an area of clinical (or related) expertise. 

Nomination:

Nominations will be accepted for current financial GESA members only, made by current financial GESA members and should address and provide:

• The breadth and nature of the nominee’s mentorship and clinical excellence with emphasis to its relevance and importance to the field of gastroenterology and/or hepatology.
• The nomination must include a written citation (maximum one (1) A4 Page) highlighting the reasons for the nomination.
• Confirmation of adherence to each of the points outlined in the Selection Criteria.
• Nominations may be made by an individual GESA member or by a GESA Faculty, Committee or the Board. Members cannot self-nominate.

Presentation of Award:

The award will be presented at Australian Gastroenterology Week following the recipient’s presentation.

Past OCA Recipients:

Fellow of GESA (FGESA) - Established 2022

Conferral Criteria:

• Member of GESA who has made a sustained contribution at the highest level, to the field of gastroenterology and hepatology in Australia and/or contribution to the Society.
• Attendance at five (5) GESA meetings (e.g.AGW) over the previous ten (10) years.
• Member of GESA for at least 10 years.
• In exceptional circumstances, may be awarded to international or national non-members who have made such a contribution.
• Not required to be a current financial member of GESA.
• An appointment outside these criteria is at the discretion of the Board.

Nomination:

Candidates must be nominated by two FGESA who provide a submission of up to two-pages in length detailing the candidate’s attainment of the conferral criteria. Sustained contribution at the highest level, to the field of gastroenterology and hepatology in Australia will be supported by evidence of achievements and contributions and their impact, over a period of at least 10 years in three of the four following categories:

• Career progression, promotions and seniority.
• Excellence in Teaching: lecturing, higher degree supervision, mentoring, teaching publications/media, examination formulation/supervision.
• Excellence in Research: higher degrees, publication history, H index (etc).
• Excellence in Service and Engagement: Contribution to the profession and community through representation on boards, societies, patient and consumer organisations resulting in improved gastrointestinal/liver health. This is in addition to contributions to GESA.

Sustained contribution to the GESA with an emphasis of the impact of this contribution as evidenced by:

• Significant and sustained contributions to three or more of the strategic pillars of the Society and/or
• Service on the Board, Faculties, Committees for at least two full terms.
• Notation of at least five (5) GESA meetings over the previous ten (10) years and notation of first year of GESA membership.

Submit your nomination here!

Presentation:

• GESA will present new Fellows annually at the GESA Annual General Meeting (AGM) and will recognize new Fellows with a certificate upon acceptance.
• GESA Fellows will have the distinction of adding the post-nominal “FGESA” to their name in their professional activities.
• Fellows of GESA are listed on the GESA website (unless choosing to opt out).

Comprehensive list of Fellow of GESA recipients available here:

Other GESA Board Awards

Service Award - Contribution to Endoscopy Education

This award was made in appreciation of 15 years or more of remarkable service to the Conveynor Capsule Endoscopy Workshop. The Society proclaimed its appreciation of the remarkable service. 

NETI Remarkable Service Appreciation

This award was made in appreciation of ten years or more of remarkable service to the National Endoscopy Training Initiative (NETI) program. The Society proclaimed its appreciation of the remarkable service of a decade or more rendered to the NETI program by each of the luminaries listed below.

Recipients:

Outstanding Mentor Award

GESA awarded a one-off Outstanding Mentor Award to recognise the contribution to gastroenterology in Australia through the work of the awardee as an outstanding mentor of advanced gastroenterology trainees.

The award in 2007 recognised the excellence of Dr. Russell's work which benefited a significant number of trainees by providing an exceptional environment for learning and professional development.

Membership Awards

The GESA Board occasionally awards Honorary Membership to persons of national or international eminence or standing who have rendered exceptional service to the Society or to the science and practice of gastroenterology or liver health.

Honorary Members:

Life Membership

By awarding Life Membership GESA recognises any person who has given distinguished and conspicuous service to the Society. This person will have been a full member of the Society for at least twenty years. Life Membership is awarded by invitation of the Board (majority vote required).

Life Members: