SEVERAL health professionals from across the region have been nominated for a 2025 Victorian Rural Health Award in recognition of their outstanding contributions to rural healthcare.
Ten local nominations have been announced across seven award categories, including the Length of Service Award (35+ Years of Service) for Dr John Guymer of Wyndham House Clinic in Shepparton.
Established in 2005, the Victorian Rural Health Awards are among the most respected honours in the state’s health sector. They celebrate individuals and providers whose dedication, resilience, and service often go unseen, but are deeply felt by the communities they support.
The awards acknowledge the full breadth of the rural healthcare workforce, recognising not only frontline clinical staff, but also mentors, practice managers, outreach providers, consumer advocates, and students, each playing a vital role in building a stronger, more sustainable rural health system.
Regional finalists from our district include:
- Dr Caroline Shipley, Kyabram Regional Clinic, Kyabram Health, Tongala, HITH, Kyabram – nominated for ‘Outstanding Contribution by a Rural GP or Rural Generalist’.
- Dr Ruwangi Udayasiri, Goulburn Valley Health and Shepparton Women’s Health Centre, Shepparton – nominated for ‘Outstanding Contribution by a Rural Medical Specialist’.
- Going Rural Health Team, across Ballarat/Grampians, Shepparton/Goulburn Valley regions, Wangaratta/Hume regions – nominated for ‘Outstanding Contribution by a Rural Multidisciplinary Team’.
- Mr Steven Pitman, Yarrawonga Health, Yarrawonga & NCN Health, Nathalia, Cobram & Numurkah – nominated for ‘Outstanding Contribution by a Mentor or Supervisor’.
- Kyabram Regional Clinic has four staff nominated for ‘Outstanding Contribution by a Rural Primary Care Nurse or Midwife’, these are Mrs Erica Maguire, Miss Jessica Elbourne, Mrs Kate Worsfold, and Mrs Leanne James.
- Miss Anna Lucchesi, Neuro Spark Rehab, Shepparton – nominated for ‘Outstanding Contribution to Rural Allied Health’.
- Dr John Guymer, Wyndham House Clinic, Shepparton – nominated for ‘Length of Service Award (35+ Years of Service)’.
The Victorian Rural Health Awards is a virtual event set to take place online on Thursday, June 19, 6-7pm. Attendance is free but requires registration. To learn more or to register go to: www.rwav.com.au/
