- Mental Health, Research
- 3 min read
A career built on championing better mental health for women, children and families has earned Professor Megan Galbally one of Australian psychiatry’s most prestigious accolades and a place in the legacy of a true trailblazer.
Professor Megan Galbally, Program Director of Mental Health at Monash Health and Director of the Centre for Women’s and Children Mental Health a research centre with Monash University, has been awarded one of the most prestigious honours in Australian psychiatry, the 2026 Margaret Tobin Award, in recognition of her outstanding leadership and contribution to mental health services.
The Margaret Tobin Award was established in 2003 by the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists (RANZCP) as a lasting tribute to Dr Margaret Tobin, a trailblazing figure in mental health whose life was tragically cut short in 2002.
Dr Tobin was a fierce advocate for high-quality, person-centred mental health care services that placed people living with mental illness and their families at the heart of everything. The award carries her legacy forward by honouring exceptional achievement in leadership and management in psychiatry.
Professor Galbally’s recognition reflects a career defined by the values Dr Tobin championed.
As Program Director of Mental Health at Monash Health, she has been a driving force in advancing the quality, safety and academic rigour of mental health services, work that reaches patients, families and clinicians across the health system. As well she leads a research centre focused on understanding and improving mental health for women and children.
‘It was a great honour and privilege to be nominated for, and to receive, the Margaret Tobin Leadership in Psychiatry Award,’ said Professor Galbally.
‘I am deeply grateful to the nominators, as well as to the President and outgoing Board of the RANZCP, who make the final decision.’
The award was presented at the RANZCP Congress in Melbourne this month, where Professor Galbally also delivered the keynote address, championing the critical intersection of academic leadership and clinical excellence in mental health.
The award recognised her leadership in developing the RANZCP Gender Equity Action Plan. This commitment has been reflected in the transformation of Monash Health’s Mental Health psychiatry leadership team, from having no women in medical clinical leadership roles to now achieving gender parity.
The Margaret Tobin Award also acknowledged Professor Galbally’s contributions to perinatal mental health, including the establishment of a dedicated unit to improve mental health care for women birthing at Monash Health.
Professor Galbally also acknowledged Monash Health’s support in the development of the Eating Disorders program, the creation of Australia’s first Psychiatric Genetics Service, and the establishment of the psycho‑cardio service at the Victorian Heart Hospital, which was highlighted in a dedicated symposium. As well as clinical-research roles for registrars and consultants in both perinatal mental health and psycho-cardio care.
‘Leadership roles are a privilege, and I am profoundly thankful for the support of the staff within Mental Health Program and the broader Monash Health executive, as well as the community we serve. This award reflects not only my work, but the collective effort, expertise, and commitment of colleagues across all levels of our health service,’ Professor Galbally said.
Her achievement is a source of enormous pride for Monash Health. It affirms what colleagues, patients and collaborators have long known: that Professor Galbally brings to her leadership not only clinical expertise and scholarly rigour, but a genuine and abiding commitment to the people mental health services exist to serve.
Please join us in congratulating Professor Megan Galbally on this well-deserved recognition.
