What We Offer

Meet the Finalists for the 2025 Victorian Rural Health Awards!

Media Release – 3 June 2025

Finalists Revealed: 2025 Victorian Rural Health Awards Mark 20 Years of Celebrating Rural Healthcare Excellence

Melbourne, Victoria, 3 June 2025: The Rural Workforce Agency Victoria (RWAV), in partnership with the Victorian Department of Health, is proud to announce the finalists for the 2025 Victorian Rural Health Awards, as the program celebrates its 20th year of honouring the individuals and teams making a profound difference in rural and regional healthcare across Victoria.

Since 2005, the Victorian Rural Health Awards have grown into one of the most respected awards in the state’s health sector. They shine a light on those whose dedication, resilience, and service often go unseen, but never unfelt, by the communities they care for.

The Awards encompass the full spectrum of the healthcare workforce, recognising not only frontline clinical providers, but also mentors, practice managers, outreach providers, consumer advocates, and students—all playing vital roles in creating a stronger, more sustainable rural health system.

RWAV CEO Lauren Cordwell said the Awards are about more than accolades—they represent community recognition and a moment to pause and thank those whose work is often carried out in isolation and under significant pressure.

Quotes from Lauren Cordwell, RWAV CEO

“These Awards are deeply meaningful to the nominees and to the communities they serve. For many, it’s not just about being acknowledged by their peers or our organisation, it’s about hearing their local community say, ‘We see you. We thank you,’” Ms Cordwell said.

“It is no secret that rural and regional healthcare comes with challenges, from workforce shortages to geographic isolation, but the professionals we are recognising today continue to show unwavering commitment, compassion, and innovation. They are the lifeblood of rural and regional Victoria’s health system.”

The 2025 Victorian Rural Health Awards is proud to present the finalists who have been recognised by their peers and communities for their extraordinary contributions to rural health.

Outstanding Contribution by a Rural GP or Rural Generalist

  • Dr Anand Patel, Mallee District Aboriginal Services, Mildura
  • Dr Dalbir Singh, Portland Family Practice, Portland
  • Dr Dipankar Chakraborty, South Wangaratta Medical Centre – Aurora Skin Cancer Centre, Wangaratta
  • Dr Caroline Shipley, Kyabram Regional Clinic, Kyabram Health, Tongala, HITH, Kyabram
  • Dr Fahad Jamil, Don Street Medical, Bendigo
  • Dr Gregory Hayes, Cunninghame Arm Medical Centre, Lakes Entrance
  • Dr Hugh Chisholm, Leongatha Healthcare and Gippsland Southern Health Service, Leongatha
  • Dr Joel Monmolin, Healesville Medical Centre, Healesville
  • Dr Justin Donaldson, Alba Health Medical Clinic, Myrtleford
  • Dr Laura Zagorski, Mount Beauty Medical Centre, Mount Beauty
  • Dr Muhammad Raza, Drouin Family Medical Centre, Drouin
  • Dr Paul Cotton, Gippsland Southern Health Service – Leongatha and Korumburra Campuses, Leongatha & Korumburra
  • Dr Peter Rogers, Healesville Medical Centre, Healesville
  • Dr Terence Heng, Apollo Bay Medical Centre, Apollo Bay
  • Dr Timothy Watford, Gippsland and East Gippsland Aboriginal Co-Operative, Bairnsdale

Outstanding Contribution by a Rural Medical Specialist

  • Dr Bala Shankar Saravansubramaniam, Victorian Cardia Care, Swan Hill
  • Dr Chi Li, Albury Wodonga Health, Albury & Wodonga
  • Dr David Bertovic, Alfred Hospital, Melbourne and Gippsland and East Gippsland Aboriginal Co-Operative, Bairnsdale
  • Dr Fahad Jamil, Don Street Medical, Bendigo
  • Mrs Kelly Gibbons, Wodonga Eyecare, Wodonga
  • Dr Robert Dawson, Latrobe Regional Health, Traralgon 
  • Dr Ruwangi Udayasiri, Goulburn Valley Health and Shepparton Women’s Health Centre, Shepparton

Outstanding Contribution to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health

  • Dr Anand Patel, Mallee District Aboriginal Services, Mildura
  • Dr David Bertovic, Alfred Hospital, Melbourne and Gippsland and East Gippsland Aboriginal Co-Operative, Bairnsdale

Outstanding Contribution by a Rural Health Consumer Advocate

  • Mr Campbell Craig, Great Ocean Road Health, Lorne
  • Mrs Sally Fraser, Violet Vines Marshman Centre for Rural Health Research, La Trobe University, Bendigo

Outstanding Contribution by a Rural Multidisciplinary Team

  • Allied Health Team, South Gippsland Hospital, Foster
  • Central General Practice, Mansfield
  • Going Rural Health Team, across Ballarat/Grampians, Shepparton/Goulburn Valley regions, Wangaratta/Hume regions
  • Great Ocean Road Health, Apollo Bay
  • Health Heart Program – Alba Health Team, Myrtleford
  • Kara Di Dio Speech Pathology – The Dazzle, Traralgon
  • Mallee District Aboriginal Services, Mildura
  • Ontario Medical Clinic, Mildura

Outstanding Contribution by a Mentor or Supervisor

  • Dr Anand Patel, Mallee District Aboriginal Services, Mildura
  • Dr Dalbir Singh, Portland Family Practice, Portland
  • Dr Mathew Jacob, Grampians Health, Ballarat
  • Dr Mehdi Sanatipour, Sunraysia Medical Centre, Red Cliffs
  • Mr Steven Pitman, Yarrawonga Health, Yarrawonga & NCN Health, Nathalia, Cobram & Numurkah
  • Ms Zara Humphreys, Grampians Health, Horsham

Outstanding Contribution by a Rural Primary Care Nurse or Midwife

  • Mrs Amanda Wilson, Lister House Medical Clinic, Horsham
  • Mrs Erica Maguire, Kyabram Regional Clinic, Kyabram
  • Miss Jessica Elbourne, Kyabram Regional Clinic, Kyabram
  • Mrs Kate Worsfold, Kyabram Regional Clinic, Kyabram
  • Mrs Kylie Sharp, Gladstone Street Medical Clinic, Warragul
  • Mrs Lara Low, Anglesea Medical, Anglesea
  • Mrs Leanne James, Kyabram Regional Clinic, Kyabram
  • Ms Natasha Messfeldt, Healesville Medical Centre, Healesville

Outstanding Contribution to Rural Allied Health

  • Miss Anna Lucchesi, Neuro Spark Rehab, Shepparton
  • Mrs Brooke Shelly, Ontario Medical Clinic, Mildura
  • Mr Campbell Craig, Great Ocean Road Health, Apollo Bay
  • Ms Chelsea McMillan, La La Speech Pathology, Bairnsdale
  • Mr Daniel Thomson, Ross Chiappazzo & Associates Optometrists, Bendigo
  • Ms Kelsey Morcombe, Grampians Health, across Ballarat, Stawell, Horsham, Edenhope and Dimboola
  • Ms Kerrie Thomsen, Hallmark Integrated Health Services, Bairnsdale
  • Mr Kevin James, Balance Health Phillip Island, RMIT University, UniSA, Pain Revolution, Pain Australia, AHPRA, Cowes
  • Ms Kirby Egan, Grampians Health, across Ballarat, Stawell, Horsham, Edenhope and Dimboola
  • Ms Kim Haebich, Gateway Health – Student Psychology Clinic, Wangaratta
  • Mrs Lesley Robinson, West Wimmera Health Service, Nhill
  • Dr Louise Bibby, Central Mallee Health, Swan Hill
  • Ms Sabah Fry, Rich River Physio and Cohuna District Hospital, Echuca
  • Mrs Sarah Austin, Yea & District Memorial Hospital, Yea
  • Ms Sarah Hewitt, Grampians Health, across Ballarat, Stawell, Horsham, Edenhope and Dimboola
  • Mrs Sarah-Jayne Duryea, Happy Minds Psychology, Drysdale
  • Mrs Sigrid Pitkin, Rural Allergy Group, Intrinsic Healthcare, Ballarat and Warrnambool
  • Mrs Stephanie Van Velzen, Uplift Therapy, Ballarat
  • Ms Susie Ellis, Bendigo Health, OPRS Hand Clinic, Bendigo

Outstanding Contribution to Rural Healthcare Practice Management

  • Mrs Amanda Wilson, Lister House Medical Clinic, Horsham
  • Ms Jennifer Charles, Get Well Clinic, Healesville
  • Ms Julie Sullivan, The Healthcare Centre, Morwell
  • Dr Nadine Blyth, Barwon Paediatrics, Geelong
  • Mrs Nicole Stott, Healesville Medical Centre, Healesville
  • Mrs Rachael Hatzopoulos, Ashby Street Medical Centre, Trafalgar
  • Mrs Sam Hellsten, Swan Hill Primary Care Medical Centre, Swan Hill
  • Mrs Sam Retelj, Ballarat Group Practice, Ballarat
  • Mrs Stephanie Van Velzen, Uplift Therapy, Ballarat

Outstanding Contribution to Rural Healthcare Outreach Provision

  • Dr Adam Landau, Bairnsdale Regional Health Service, Bairnsdale
  • Dr Julian Yeoh, Alba Health, Myrtleford

Outstanding Contribution by a Rising Star

  • Mr Jemuel Pryse, Allied Physiotherapy, Ocean Grove

Outstanding Contribution by a RWAV Student Ambassador (new)

  • Dr Georgia Doyle, Monash University, Wodonga
  • Ms Slobodanka Jevtic, La Trobe University, Corryong
  • Ms Stacy Doan, Deakin University, Geelong

Length of Service Award (35+ years of service)

  • Dr Andrew Gault, Port Fairy Medical Clinic, Port Fairy
  • Dr Daryl Smith, Macleod Street Medical Centre, Bairnsdale
  • Dr David Monash, Inglis Medical Centre, Sale
  • Dr David Wilson, Lister House Medical Clinic, Horsham
  • Dr Elizabeth Quin, Springs Medical, Daylesford
  • Dr Ernan Hession, Swan Hill Primary Health Medical Centre, Swan Hill
  • Dr Gavin Frawley, Ovens Medical Group, Wangaratta
  • Dr Gerard Brownstein, Benalla Church Street Surgery, Benalla
  • Dr Gregory Stewart, Springs Medical, Daylesford
  • Dr Hugh Chisholm, Leongatha Healthcare and Gippsland Southern Health Service, Leongatha
  • Dr Ian Sutherland, Port Fairy Medical Clinic, Port Fairy
  • Dr Janis Baker, Broadford Medical Clinic, Broadford
  • Dr John Guymer, Wyndham House Clinic, Shepparton
  • Dr Mary Holland, Flora Hill Medical Centre, Flora Hill
  • Dr Nicholas Kimpton, Ballarat Medical Centre, Ballarat
  • Dr Peter Hales, Surf Coast Medical Centre, Torquay
  • Dr Peter Rogers, Healesville Medical Centre, Healesville
  • Dr Robert Dawson, Latrobe Regional Health, Traralgon
  • Dr Ross De Steiger, Bairnsdale Medical Group, Bairnsdale
  • Ms Kerrie Thomsen, Hallmark Integrated Health Services, Bairnsdale
  • Mrs Lesley Robinson, West Wimmera Health Service, Nhill

Congratulations to all the finalists! Please join us at the online event to find out the winners of the Victorian Rural Health Awards 2025

Date & Time: Thursday 19 June 2025, 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Entry: FREE (Anyone can attend)

RWAV encourages all Victorians to register, tune in, and support their local healthcare professionals.

Register NOW

www.rwav.com.au/victorian-rural-health-awards-2025

For any questions or further information, please contact the RWAV Communications team at communications@rwav.com.au or Evaan on 0491 153 875.

About RWAV

Since its inception in 1997, RWAV has become a significant, trusted and successful non-profit organisation. RWAV remains committed to addressing the unique challenges faced by rural and regional communities while fostering sustainable healthcare solutions. Dedicated to supporting the health workforce and improving health outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples across Victoria, RWAV collaborates with government, health services, practitioners, and communities to develop innovative solutions that attract and retain a workforce tailored to meet the needs of rural Victoria.

For more information please visit: www.rwav.com.au

For media inquiries, interviews, or further information about RWAV’s recent activities, please contact:

MEDIA ENQUIRIES:
Evaan Rabel
M: 0491 153 875
E: communications@rwav.com.au
W: www.rwav.com.au

The Latest Podcast

Also available on Google, Apple and Spotify podcasts
F E E D B A C K

For nearly 30 years, Catherine has worked as a consultant, senior executive, adviser and government relations specialist with a particular focus on health, social services, social policy and industry development.  Catherine is currently Partner and Co-founder of Evaluate, an economics consulting company, where she is engaged in the evaluation and development of efficient and cost-effective services and policies, principally in relation to health and lifesciences.  Prior to this, Catherine worked in the health insurance and pharmaceutical industries with responsibilities for government relations, stakeholder engagement, policy development, regulatory affairs and communication in Australia, the United Kingdom and Europe.  Catherine is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and a past board member of Marriott Support Services, Melbourne City Mission and Victoria Legal Aid.

RWAV special responsibilities:
• Strategy, Policy and Stakeholder Engagement Committee Member
• Audit and Risk Committee Member

BAppSci, GradDipBus, MBus, GAICD, FIML

John is an experienced CEO and senior executive who has held many roles in various hospitals, in government (Health Department), and in professional associations related to healthcare. Until recently, John was the CEO of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (RACS), where he had major involvement in various sustainability in healthcare initiatives, Indigenous health and ‘Building Respect’ cultural improvement strategies.
John’s expertise encompasses leadership, strategic policy development, professional standards and government relations. At RACS, he led the college through the COVID-19 pandemic and oversaw the digitisation of a range of member offerings, including aspects of training. He remains a key advocate for good corporate governance and the need for leaner and competent skills-based boards.

RWAV special responsibilities:
• Strategy, Policy and Stakeholder Engagement Committee Member
• People and Culture Committee Member

BBus(HRM)

Lauren commenced in the role of Manager People and Culture in August 2018 and is responsible for leading the implementation of RWAV’s People and Culture strategy, policies, processes, functions and team.

Lauren’s team is committed to implementing activities and initiatives to support the achievement of RWAV’s strategies and strengthen RWAV’s position as an ‘Employer of Choice’.

Lauren is an experienced Manager and HR professional, with a career spanning the professional services, automotive, defence, and not-for-profit sectors.

CPA
Albert Giorgini is the Senior Advisor to CEO at RWAV.

As an experienced finance executive, with an extensive career in public transport and in the automotive and industrial gas sectors, Albert has honed his skills in driving financial performance improvements with a commercial and business transformation focus.

Through his strategic financial skills, Albert has demonstrated an exceptional capacity to lead and develop large teams in complex and changing environments to achieve the financial and regulatory requirements of the business. His extensive experience has given him a deep understanding of the industry and its challenges, equipping him with the expertise to drive impactful change.

Albert has highly developed communication and stakeholder management skills to support his strong planning, analytical and financial performance improvement acumen, always striving to create innovative solutions that drive growth and success.

BMed, MMedSci, FRACGP, FARGP, FACRRM, DipPractDerm, DipMedHyp, DipFP, DipBusAdmin, GAICD

Morton is an experienced GP and medical educator. He is currently in clinical general practice in suburban Melbourne and previously practised in rural Victoria for 10 years. Morton is Chair of the General Practice Mental Health Standards Collaborative and a past Chair of the Mental Health Professionals Association and is a board member of the Mental Health Professionals Network. He is also the Medical Director of the Royal Flying Doctor Service in Victoria. He is a member of the RACGP Victoria Council.

RWAV special responsibilities:
• Board Director
• Governance Committee Member
• Chair of Strategy, Policy and Stakeholder Engagement Committee

LLB, BSc, MMgt (Strategic Foresight), GAICD

As a lawyer and business consultant, Jane has worked for many years with company boards and executives across a range of areas including IP commercialisation, SaaS businesses, healthcare products/services, privacy compliance and data/IT security. Jane is General Counsel for ID Consulting. She has served as a Director of BreastScreen Victoria, Ballarat Health Services and chairs RWAV’s Governance Committee.

RWAV special responsibilities:
• Deputy Chair
• Chair of the Governance Committee
• Strategy, Policy and Stakeholder Engagement Committee Member

BMBS, MBA, FRACP, FRACMA, FAICD

Grant is a retired physician and gastroenterologist whose specialist
clinical practice was in regional and rural Victoria. In the latter part of his career, Grant moved into management and leadership roles at organisational and system level, with a focus on clinical quality and clinical engagement.
Having worked for government in several jurisdictions, through this, Grant has held leadership roles in the national safety and quality agenda, and has also held major professional level roles including a 2-year period as President of the Adult Division of the Royal Australasian College of Physicians from 2016–18.
Grant teaches clinical governance with a focus on helping healthcare boards and executive teams understand this critical aspect of their work, and consults to organisations on their clinical governance and nclinical leadership.
Grant is an experienced and qualified board director, having attained
Fellowship of the Australian Institute of Company Directors in 2018,
and currently chairs a major sporting organisation.

RWAV special responsibilities:
• Board Chair
• Nominations and Remuneration Committee Member
• Governance Committee Member

BA (Hons), BEc, Grad Dip Bus, MBA, FGIA, FAICD

Roger is an experienced CEO, Chair, non-executive director, board consultant and course/workshop facilitator, with experience in the health, human services, law enforcement, regional economics, disaster relief, education, transport and environmental industries. He has sat on and chaired numerous private company, public sector and not-for-profit boards and audit and risk committees. Roger has also consulted with numerous boards, published numerous articles and conducted webinars on corporate governance, risk and strategy. He brings strong governance experience, commercial acumen, risk management and strategy skills combined with a passion for innovation and business development.
Currently, Roger chairs the Victorian Emergency Relief and Recovery Foundation, is a director and chair of the Audit and Risk Committee for Melba Support Services, and is an independent member of the Victorian Collaborative Centre for Mental Health and Wellbeing.
Roger is a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and has completed their Boardroom Mastery program, and is also a Fellow of the Governance Institute of Australia. Roger is currently a facilitator, assessor and writer for the Australian Institute of Company Directors and teaches their Company Directors Course,
as well as numerous other short courses.

RWAV special responsibilities:
• Chair of the Audit and Risk Committee

BSci(Hons), DipLang, MD, FRACGP, FACRRM, DRANZCOG(Adv), GAICD

Louise is a rural GP obstetrician practising in a number of locations across Central Victoria where she delivers general practice, obstetric and sexual health services. After growing up in a small town, she has lived experience of the difficulties of accessing healthcare in rural and regional areas, and is dedicated to advocating for equitable health outcomes, regardless of geography. In addition to her clinical duties, she undertakes consulting, medical education and advocacy work. She is also a non-executive director and the current President Elect of the RDAV. Louise recently returned to study in 2024 and is undertaking a Masters of Public Health through The University of Melbourne.

RWAV special responsibilities:
• Strategy, Policy and Stakeholder Engagement Committee Member
• Audit and Risk Committee Member

Snezana is a Human Resources leader with more than 15 years of experience in management, playing a pivotal role in driving team transformations across diverse industries, including FMCG, automotive, government, and non-profit sectors.

With a curiosity for business and its associated complexities, Snezana fosters collaborative partnerships to cultivate a highly motivated workforce that effectively executes strategic plans.

BCom, MPP, EdD, DipEd, Claritas/CFA Investment Certificate, MAICD

Rosemary has had a varied career as an academic teaching economics, public policy and industrial relations, and as a consultant, advocate, health union official and as a director. She brings strong governance and strategic skills to the Board, as well as knowledge and depth of experience in health policy, economics and investment.
Rosemary is currently a member of the Investment Committee of Cbus, a major Australian superannuation fund.
She was the Secretary of the Victorian Psychologists Association Inc for 20 years and was Assistant Secretary and Secretary of the Medical Scientists’ Association of Victoria, which counts dietitians and audiologists among its members.
Rosemary knows first-hand the difficulties in attracting and retaining health professionals in rural and regional Victoria.
Rosemary is a member of the Medical Association for the Prevention of War, and a committee member of Quit Nukes.

RWAV special responsibilities:
• Chair of the People and Culture Committee
• Governance Committee Member

With a rich background of consulting and in-house people and culture roles with the corporate, government and community sectors, Andrea is responsible for leading the implementation of RWAV’s People and Culture strategy, policies, processes, functions and team.

Andrea has significant experience in leading teams across culture, capability, diversity, equity, leadership, organisational development and learning programs as well as core human resources partnering.

With a strong focus on building and maintaining psychologically safe organisations, Andrea’s team is dedicated to ensuring that RWAV is a place where people can work well and be well at work.

Martin is a governance professional and lawyer with experience in private practice and in-house legal roles. He has been a company secretary for public and private sector organisations across a range of industries including VicTrack, Regis Healthcare Limited and Dairy Australia Limited. He holds Bachelor of Laws and Bachelor of Commerce degrees from the University of Melbourne, a Graduate Diploma in Applied Corporate Governance from the Governance Institute of Australia (GIA) and is a fellow of the GIA.

Social Work (BA Hons), DipSW

With a background in social work and a proven record in recruitment, project management, and business development, Jo brings strategic leadership and a wealth of experience in driving positive outcomes within the health, human services, and State Government sectors.

Jo specialises in managing health professional recruitment and outreach programs, including the More Doctors for Rural Australia and 3GA programs. Her focus is on implementing innovative workforce strategies and clinical governance to bolster RWAV’s mission of enhancing healthcare accessibility in rural and regional Victoria.

Having previously excelled at RWAV, Jo spearheaded successful internal change initiatives while fostering strong relationships with external stakeholders. Her efforts consistently align with RWAV’s strategic direction, ensuring a cohesive approach to driving impactful change.

Beyond her professional expertise, Jo’s passion lies in uniting communities and championing positive transformations in rural healthcare in Victoria.

RN, GradDip(Health Promotion), PRINCE2, Mini MBA

Kate is a Registered Nurse highly experienced in health promotion and project management. Her people and program management skills enable her to be agile and adaptable while maintaining an outcomes focus on improving quality access to primary healthcare.

Kate’s extensive experience working with all levels of government, the community and stakeholders across the sector have provided her with insights into the challenges rural communities and health professionals face. Kate has led the design and delivery of many innovative and strategic health promotion and grants programs, supporting better access to health services, health information and activities across communities. Whilst at RWAV, Kate has led the transformation of the RWAV grants program, enhanced the administration of a number of programs and developed the RWAV allied health portfolio. She has also led the development of the RWAV research program of activities.

Having worked at RWAV since 2020, Kate will continue positively influencing the rural healthcare workforce and access to services.

Msc (Fin), FCCA, FGIA, CA

Shay brings over 20 years of financial
management experience in commercial and not-for-profit organizations. He has a
rich and varied experience in multiple finance and leadership roles in the
United Kingdom and Australia, including CFO, GM Finance & IT, Commercial
Manager Operations, Finance Manager and Accountant.

His extensive leadership experience is
augmented by an FGIA, FCCA, CA, a Masters in Finance and an undergraduate degree in
accounting and finance.

Lauren Cordwell

Chief Executive Officer

BHlthSci(Hons) MPH PostGradDipMgt GAICD AFCHSM

Lauren Cordwell is the Chief Executive Officer at RWAV. Lauren has been an integral part of the RWAV team since 2018, demonstrating a remarkable strategic vision to improve access to health care in rural Victoria. As an experienced senior executive and health policy analyst, she is committed to finding practical solutions to address the challenges preventing communities in rural Australia from accessing affordable and safe healthcare. For over 20 years, Lauren has designed and implemented innovative programs with communities, health professionals and government agencies that continue to have a lasting benefit. Many of these programs relate to primary healthcare, general practice, workforce, First People’s health and community engagement. 

Send this to a friend