In recognition of her service to Media Education in Queensland and Australia, in 2017 Australian Teachers of Media, Qld introduced the Helen Yeates Award for Excellence in Media Education.

Helen has had more impact on the introduction and development of Media Education in Queensland than any other individual, through her activities as: one of the founders of Australian Teachers of Media in Queensland, and an early ATOMQld President during the organisation’s formative years; Chair of National Media Education Conferences that promoted the expansion of Media Education in Australia; advocacy for the development of Media Education curriculum in Queensland; development of Media Curriculum as a teaching area at QUT; an innovative contributor in the field of creative industries theory and practice; supporting the Brisbane International Film Festival and other major film culture events; an inspirational teacher and mentor of undergraduate and postgraduate students in Film and Television at QUT.