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Receiving the New England Award: A 2020 Academic Achievement | Michael Elwan

  • Writer: Michael Elwan
    Michael Elwan
  • Dec 20, 2020
  • 1 min read

Updated: Nov 23, 2025

Award-winning social worker, national advisor, and PhD researcher Michael Elwan reflects on receiving the New England Award, celebrating academic achievement and resilience in 2020.

Despite the upheaval of 2020, a year shaped by the uncertainty of Covid, one thing stayed firm: where there’s a will, there’s a way.


I’m honoured to have received one of Australia’s respected academic recognitions, the New England Award, marking a milestone in both my personal and professional journey.


This academic achievement is more than a certificate; it reflects perseverance, commitment to learning, and the belief that growth can continue even in the most difficult seasons. As the year closes, I step into the next chapter with gratitude, optimism, and a renewed sense of purpose.


For anyone navigating study or professional development during challenging times: keep going. The path may feel steep, yet your efforts will open doors you may not see just yet.


Wishing you a joyful and fulfilling New Year ahead. Goodbye 2020; hello 2021.


Based in Perth, WA, LEXs provides telehealth counselling across Australia for individuals, couples, and NDIS participants. Services extend to Social Work supervision, Peer Work supervision, training, and keynote speaking on men’s mental health, CaLD community wellbeing, and culturally responsive suicide prevention; helping people and organisations make mental-health care more compassionate, inclusive, and effective. LEXs provides services across Australia, supporting clients in Perth, Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, and beyond. To learn more about our work across Australia, visit LEXs' services page.

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Lived Experience Solutions (LEXs) acknowledges the Traditional Owners and Custodians of Country throughout Australia and recognises their continuing connection to land, waters, culture and community. We pay our respects to Elders past and present.

 

At LEXs, lived and living experience sits at the heart of the work. I value the knowledge of individuals, families, carers and kin who navigate mental health challenges, distress and recovery, and whose expertise helps make care more human, compassionate and responsive. I am particularly committed to the wellbeing of multicultural communities, whose experiences are too often overlooked in mainstream mental health systems.

 

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