2018 Victorian Rural Health Award recipients, Creswick, Victoria, April 2018
2018 Award Categories
Length of Service Award 35+ Years
This award is presented to general practitioners and medical specialists who have served rural and regional Victoria for over 35 years. It recognises their extensive commitment to providing health services, often to many generations of the same family and their continued involvement in the community. Dr Rebecca Dale – Castlemaine Dr Timothy Watford – Omeo Dr John Buckley – Merbein Dr Roderic Booth – Swan Hill Dr Bala Pillai – Echuca Dr Cleopas Sahhar – Warragul Dr Robert Peterson – Seymour Dr Ray Moore – Bendigo Dr Elizabeth Perry – Wangaratta Dr John Barry – Swan Hill Dr David Leembruggen – Warrnambool Dr Ann Miller – Sale Dr Simon Davis – Yackandandah
Rural Doctor Award
The Rural Doctor Award has two subcategories: Outstanding Contribution and New Rural Doctor. The first recognizes general practitioners and medical specialists who have shown professional and personal commitment to regional and rural communities, often going above and beyond with services and involvement in the community. The second category recognises doctors who are establishing their careers in rural health and who have demonstrated an outstanding contribution to their profession and to their community.
Rural Doctor Award – Outstanding Contribution
Dr Elizabeth Kennedy – Shepparton Dr Lalani Udalamatta – Edenhope Dr Brian Hepper – Creswick Dr Gavin Cuff – Maryborough
Medical Specialist Award
Presented to those practitioners who have shown ongoing commitment to providing specialist medical services throughout rural Victoria. These specialists have a significant impact on health outcomes for those living in rural areas. They enable access to specialist services in areas where communities cannot attract, or it is not viable to sustain, a local medical specialist. Dr Andrew Wai-Ming See – East Melbourne
Aboriginal Health Award
The award highlights the significant work and commitment many healthcare professionals contribute to the well-being of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. The award recognises both medical and non-medical workers and includes specialist, counsellors, health workers, nurses and many others. Dr Norma Oliver – Echuca
Rural General Practice Award
Gateway Health Medical Practice Wondonga – Wodonga
Healthcare Professional Award
We celebrate the contributions from the entire range of healthcare professionals keeping rural Victoria healthy. The nurses, the practice managers, the allied health workers and the GP locums – they are the engines that keep community health running and we celebrate their achievements. Julie Steele – Maffra
Rural Nursing Award
Christine Smith – Mooroopna
Rural Allied Health Professional Award
Emily Luke – Reservoir
Student Award
The award celebrates the future of rural healthcare. Each year we recognise students who have shown a true passion for rural health and have dedicated their training to these communities. Jessica Paynter (Medical Student Award) – Nyah Elisha Price (Nursing Student Award) – Trafalgar
Congratulations to the winners of the 12th annual Victorian Rural Health Awards. These outstanding award winners took centre stage at the award ceremony held at Marysville on the 25th of March 2017. Every year nominations are put forward by members of the public, community organisations and local healthcare providers and are assessed by an independent panel of judges. Nominations open in October of each year and RWAV encourages the public to nominate local healthcare professionals who provide vital health services to rural and remote communities.
