Media release: Nominations open for Healthy North Coast Primary Health Care Excellence Awards

Nominations are now open for the 2026 Healthy North Coast Primary Health Care Excellence Awards, celebrating the people and teams making a difference across primary care on the North Coast.

From GPs, nurses and allied health professionals to Aboriginal health workers, pharmacists, administrators and managers, care coordinators and community organisations, the Awards recognise the passion, innovation and dedication helping to improve health and wellbeing in Northern NSW and Mid North Coast communities.

Healthy North Coast CEO Monika Wheeler said the awards are an opportunity to shine a light on the people working every day to deliver better care and better health outcomes:

“There is incredible work happening across primary care on the North Coast, often behind the scenes and without the recognition it deserves. These awards are a chance to celebrate the people and teams who are making a real difference every day.”

There are eight individual award categories and four team categories, recognising excellence across areas including GP excellence, nursing, innovation, aged care, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health, mental health, aged care, clinical practice, pharmacy and more.

Self-nominations are welcome, and colleagues, managers, patients and community members are encouraged to nominate someone whose work deserves recognition.

Nominations close at 11:59 pm on Monday 5 October 2026.

Finalists and award recipients will be celebrated at the Primary Health Care Excellence Awards evening on Thursday 26 November at Pacific Bay Resort, Coffs Harbour.

Do you think someone in local primary health care deserves recognition? Don’t wait – get your nomination in!

For more information and to nominate someone, visit hnc.org.au/excellence-awards.