Congratulations to Remy Chard (2009), recipient of the 2026 Mother Emma Award. We are delighted to celebrate her achievements and look forward to recognising her contribution at the Aidan's Celebrates Awards Evening later this year.

About the Mother Emma Award

Established in 2019 as part of St Aidan's 90-year celebrations, the Mother Emma Award recognises alumni who demonstrate exceptional achievement in entrepreneurship and innovation. Recipients embody a pioneering spirit, using creativity, leadership and determination to challenge convention, create opportunities and make a meaningful contribution to society.

The award is named in honour of Mother Emma (Emma Crawford), who played a significant leadership role within the Society of the Sacred Advent. Leading the Sisters for 33 years through periods of immense social and economic challenge, including the First World War and the Great Depression, Mother Emma's legacy is one of resilience, vision and service.

Designing Spaces That Shape Experiences

Over the past decade, Remy has built an impressive career with Cox Architecture, progressing from graduate designer to Associate Interior Designer.

Specialising in education and workplace design, she has contributed to and led projects ranging from complex 20,000-square-metre workplaces to carefully crafted furniture, joinery and interior details that influence how people experience and interact with a space.

At the heart of Remy's work is a commitment to creating environments that are functional, inclusive and enduring. Her designs seek to enhance the ways people learn, work and connect, demonstrating the powerful role thoughtful design can play in everyday life.

Recognition and Industry Leadership

Remy's contribution to the design profession has been recognised through several prestigious honours, including selection for the inaugural Australian Design Review 30 Under 30 program in 2023 and receiving the 2025 Innerspace Art and Design Prize.

Alongside her professional practice, she is deeply committed to supporting emerging designers. For three years, Remy tutored Interior Design students at Queensland University of Technology and continues to give back through mentoring, guest lectures and active industry involvement.

Innovation Beyond Practice

Driven by curiosity and a passion for creative problem-solving, Remy also founded Fun Size Studio, a design practice exploring innovative approaches to compact and efficient living.

The studio seeks to address Australia's evolving housing challenges through thoughtful, space-efficient design solutions that enhance functionality while maintaining quality of life.

This entrepreneurial venture reflects Remy's belief that design can play an important role in addressing complex social issues and creating positive outcomes for communities.

A Worthy Recipient

Throughout her career, Remy has demonstrated the innovation, leadership and forward-thinking approach that the Mother Emma Award was created to celebrate.

Whether through her work in architecture and interior design, her commitment to mentoring future professionals, or her entrepreneurial efforts to tackle contemporary housing challenges, Remy's achievements reflect the values of creativity, courage and service that continue to define the St Aidan's community.