PSA’s biggest ever national conference wrapped yesterday (Sunday 3 August) after 3 full days of learning and networking.
The rainy weather didn’t stop more than 1,200 pharmacists from all areas of practice and corners of the country coming together at Sydney’s International Convention Centre (ICC) to further their knowledge and practice with Australia’s leading pharmacy voices.
If you weren’t able to make it down to the conference, Australian Pharmacist has captured some of the best moments.
WA student clinches 2025 Pharmacy Student of the Year
Curtin University student Maxime Watts took out the 2025 PSA Viatris Pharmacy Student of the Year (PSOTY) award, as well as the People’s Choice award – as voted by PSA25 delegates.
‘I feel incredibly grateful to receive this recognition,’ Ms Waters told AP. ‘Pharmacy has become something I’m genuinely passionate about, and to have my work acknowledged in this way means so much. I’m looking forward to starting my career and continuing to learn within such a supportive profession.’
Seeing the next generation of pharmacists showcase their skills is a highlight of PSA national conference, said PSA National President Associate Professor Fei Sim FPS.
‘These are our future pharmacists, our future leaders, and I must say I’m very confident our profession is in good hands,’ she said.
‘Each of the students who participated in the PSOTY competition has demonstrated impressive professionalism, skill, and dedication. On behalf of PSA, I wish them all the best in what I’m sure will be successful and rewarding careers as pharmacists.’
Pharmacist glitterati dazzle at the Gala Dinner
Pharmacists donned sequins, sparkles and feathers at Saturday night’s gala dinner, themed carnivàle.
Delegates were transported to downtown Rio, with professional dancers putting on a colorful and acrobatic display – before hitting the dance floor to show off their own moves.
See if you can spot your friends and colleagues in the crowd.
Closing out PSA’s biggest conference ever
To cap off the weekend, PSA and the Australasian Pharmaceutical Science Association (APSA) presented the Outstanding Poster Presentation to Jade Swarbrick for her presentation ADHD in GP settings. The Outstanding Oral Presentation went to Kym Ramsey for his presentation Utilising rural community pharmacists to screen for chronic diseases.
PSA and PDL once again joined forces to present the 2025 Volunteer of the Year Award to Madeline Scarlett, as voted by PSA25 delegates, in recognition of her positivity and helpfulness across the weekend.
Closing the event, PSA National President Associate Professor Fei Sim FPS highlighted the significance of PSA membership reaching 20,000 for the first time – reflecting the growing confidence pharmacists have in PSA as their professional home.
‘Every year I leave this conference feeling a renewed sense of belonging and passion for this profession,’ she said.
‘Thank you to everyone who made PSA25 a success – our delegates, volunteers, branch committees, staff, speakers and partners – I’m truly inspired by every single one of you.
‘Whether you’re a student, early career pharmacist, or seasoned practitioner, PSA is proud to be your professional home, giving you the tools and the support you need to build the pharmacy career you want.’
See you all again next year at PSA26, held in Sydney at the ICC from Friday 31 July to Sunday 2 August.
