Resilience celebrated at Kellion awards

Named after the late Claude Kellion AM, who created a foundation to promote diabetes research after his son died from diabetes complications, the annual ceremony is always a special event.

“The Kellion Victory Medal is more than just an award; it is a profound testament to the journey our Kellions have been on and a powerful source of inspiration for our entire community,” says Diabetes Victoria CEO Glen Noonan.

“When they were diagnosed, sometimes up to 75 years ago, managing diabetes was even more complex and relentless than it is today.

“To hear their stories is always incredibly moving and inspiring, and it is our privilege to honour these remarkable people.”

This year’s event was held at The Hall, NAB Docklands, with around 100 guests in attendance. Congratulations to all our wonderful 2025 Kellions.

Valerie Mutton

Valerie was just nine years old, a few weeks shy of her 10th birthday, when she was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. “My older brother Robert had been diagnosed for three years,” she recalls. “While on a family holiday, my mother decided to test my cousins and me by boiling urine in a test tube and adding chemical drops. If the colour turned orange, it showed sugar in the urine. Mine did.” That discovery led to blood tests and a 10-day stay at the Royal Children’s Hospital in North Carlton.

Valerie says she was fortunate to have a strong role model in her brother. “He just got on with it, so I followed suit,” she says. She also credits her parents, who told both siblings they could do anything, as well as a wonderful doctor, Lady Geraldine Amies, who was also diagnosed with type 1 as a child. Their entire neighbourhood rallied behind them. “All the children in the street with whom we played were well aware of hypos,” Valerie recalls. “It was a community effort.”

“The improvements (in diabetes management) over the years have been life changing. The sensors that beep on your phone when blood sugar drops are truly wonderful.” 

Valerie is deeply grateful to those who supported her, including Dr. Amies, who stayed late for visits so she and Robert didn’t have to miss work, Dr. Pincus Taft, who encouraged her to have children, and Dr. F.I.R. Martin who gave her his private phone number to ring at any time.

What does receiving the 75-Year Kellion Victory Medal mean to Valerie? “I am thrilled,” she says with a smile. “It makes me so happy.”

Geoff ‘Monty’ Montgomery

In 1975, Geoff Montgomery was a 25-year-old shearer, married with an 18-month-old son and a newly purchased home in Dunkeld. While working in Hay in the Riverina, he began experiencing frequent urination, weight loss, and exhaustion. He realised something was wrong and found a nearby phone box to call his GP. Soon after, he was admitted to hospital and started insulin treatment.

Once his strength returned, Geoff went right back to shearing. He credits the diabetes educators and doctors in Warrnambool who have kept him up to date with evolving technologies since the mid-1980s. Most importantly, his family has been a constant source of support during his journey.

Among Geoff’s greatest achievements are raising a family of five children, shearing just under a thousand sheep each week during the 1990s, and staying fit.

Reflecting on 50 years with diabetes, Geoff says, “I feel very humble and proud to be honoured with this award! Fifty years is a long time in anyone’s life. The fact I’ve had a relatively good and normal life through good management and discipline, I feel very blessed!”

Laurence Brown

Laurence Brown’s diagnosis with type 1 diabetes came at a pivotal moment in his life – the very same month he was promoted to Office Manager at his workplace. “It was trauma-induced diabetes, and the illness almost killed me,” he says.

Laurence credits a number of people who supported him over the years, including diabetes specialist David O’Neal, dedicated diabetes educators, and most importantly, his family. He is especially proud of his wife Kay – the couple recently celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary – and their three daughters.

Looking back, Laurence lists both professional and personal milestones as his proudest achievements. He rose to become Administration Manager, Expense Controller and Secretary of the Capital Expenditure Committee at Myer Melbourne, a career he is deeply proud of, while also building a loving and supportive family.

Receiving the Kellion Victory Medal is, for Laurence, a meaningful recognition of his 50 years living with type 1 diabetes and the determination, support and resilience it has taken to reach this milestone.