This National Diabetes Week (July 13 to 19) Australians who have lived with type 1 diabetes for 50 years or more were recognised with Kellion Victory Medals at a special ceremony at Perth’s Government House.
The Kellion Victory Medals are a celebration of strength, resilience and lifelong self-management. They honour the extraordinary commitment of people living with diabetes and are named in memory of John Kellion, who died at age 38 due to complications from type 1 diabetes. His father, Claude Kellion, established the Kellion Diabetes Foundation, which has contributed more than $1 million to diabetes research and education.
A number of Kellion presentations have been held throughout National Diabetes Week.
Among this year’s recipients is Colleen Ashby, 60, from Perth’s Kalamunda Hills, whose inspiring journey with type 1 diabetes spans five decades. Diagnosed at just nine years old at Princess Margaret Hospital in 1974, Colleen has refused to let diabetes define or limit her life.
Her story has been told in The Sunday West Australian by leading columnist Glen Quartermain to highlight the Kellion presentations.
Despite living with complex health challenges, including heart disease and vision loss, Colleen has remained active and passionate. A former ballroom dance teacher and Zumba instructor, she also ran the popular GumNut Cloggers group for many years. In 2017, after years of being denied access to the transplant list because of her diabetes, Colleen received a life-saving heart transplant. Complications from the surgery led to her becoming legally blind.
Undeterred, Colleen went on to compete at the 2023 World Transplant Games in Perth, winning gold, silver and bronze medals in freestyle and backstroke swimming events. She uses a continuous glucose monitor and five daily insulin injections to manage her diabetes.
She is the author of two books, I Can See Clearly Now and You Got to Laugh.
Colleen says living with diabetes has taught her persistence and adaptability.
“Diabetes has been part of my life since I was a child but it has never stopped me from achieving.
“There were times I was told I could not do something because of injuries or past surgeries but I have always believed that your abilities matter more than your limitations.
“After the transplant and losing my sight, I knew I couldn’t teach dance anymore but with my 5% peripheral vision I knew I could follow a black line in a pool. I learned to swim competitively and found new ways to live fully.
“Receiving the Kellion Medal means a lot to me. It’s recognition of not just living with diabetes but of living well and not giving in.”
At the event, Diabetes Australia will also announce Gordon Bunyan as the inaugural Australian Kellion Victory Medal Ambassador. Gordon, who has lived with type 1 diabetes for 50 years, is a respected lawyer, long-time Diabetes Australia Board member and diabetes advocate, and competitive sports car driver. He has served as the chairperson of the International Diabetes Federation Western Pacific Region (IDF WPR) Council, as well as IDF vice president. He is the co-chair of the IDF WPR Congress 2026 Organising Committee, with the Congress to be held in Melbourne next year.
As Kellion Ambassador, he will represent the voices of people who know the challenges of living with type 1 diabetes long-term and highlight the importance of improved care, research and support.
Mr Bunyan said the Kellion Victory Medals are a powerful reminder of what is possible with early diagnosis, access to care, and strong community support.
“These medal recipients have lived with type 1 diabetes for more than half a century,” Mr Bunyan said. “Their stories are a testament to resilience, innovation in care, and the importance of research and education. These are values Claude Kellion upheld when he established the foundation in memory of his son.
“Claude wanted people living with diabetes to have access to the best education about the condition so they could live long and healthy lives,” Mr Bunyan said.
About Diabetes Australia
Diabetes Australia is the national organisation supporting all people living with or at risk of diabetes. We put people first. We work in collaboration with member organisations, consumers, health professionals, state-based diabetes organisations, researchers and the community.
For more information visit: www.diabetesaustralia.com.au
