Health support and crisis numbers

Nov

17

2025

Celebrating Our 2025 Primary Health Care Excellence Awards Finalists

Update 24 November 2025: Event has sold out. There will be a live stream available on YouTube for those interested in watching along!

 

We are thrilled to announce the finalists for the Healthy North Coast Primary Health Care Excellence Awards 2025, an event dedicated to recognising the outstanding achievements of individuals and teams who go above and beyond to improve health outcomes in our communities.

The awards ceremony will take place on Tuesday 25 November 2025, at Pacific Bay Resort, Coffs Harbour, where we will celebrate innovation, leadership, and dedication across the primary care sector. These awards highlight the heart of our healthcare system, our passionate workforce, including GPs, nurses, allied health professionals, Aboriginal health workers, and administrative staff.

Award Categories and Finalists

The finalists have been selected by an independent panel of judges based on their impact, innovation, and commitment to continuous improvement:

Emerging Leader

 ✨ Bel Davis (Nurse, CNS) – NNSWLHD
Led NSW’s first regional ADHD co-management model, improving care for 350+ children and driving scalable mental health reform.

 ✨ Dr Grace Gillon (GP Registrar) – Bullinah AMS
Recognised for trauma-informed, culturally safe care and mentoring, enhancing outcomes and trust.

Excellence in Practice Management

 ✨ Casey Shorter – Macksville Medical Centre
Transformed Macksville Medical Centre into a multidisciplinary hub, improving rural access and introducing equity-focused services.

 ✨ Julie Chakos – Health Voyage, Coffs Harbour
Delivered inclusive care for women, expanded culturally safe services, and led innovative programs at Health Voyage.

 ✨ Tracey Harris – Lismore GP/UCC
Established Lismore’s Urgent Care Clinic, integrated mental health, and introduced AI tools to improve efficiency and outcomes.

 ✨ Tara Welsh – CHC Medical/Coffs Harbour UCC
Established Coffs Harbour’s Urgent Care Clinic and led innovative models of care, workforce development, and quality improvement.

Excellence in Allied Health Achievement

✨ Erin Herd – Northern Prosthetics, Coffs Harbour
Sole full-time prosthetist in the region, improving amputee care and integrating physiotherapy into her clinic.

✨ Phillippa Cullen – All Together Therapy, Port Macquarie
Founded All Together Therapy, championed neuro-affirming care, and led national advocacy for sustainable allied health.

 ✨ Trent Renshaw – Coffs Coast Sports Physiotherapy
Pioneered male-focused oncology rehab and pelvic health, reducing barriers and improving survivorship outcomes.

Excellence in Nursing Achievement (Sponsored by Larter)

 ✨ Amanda Moss
Embedded nurse-led pathways and Advance Care Planning, enhancing access and team-based rural care.

 ✨ Berry Jones
Led outreach clinics and culturally safe care for vulnerable women, improving equity and trust over 35 years.

 ✨ Haley Hodgson
Created nurse-led Access Health Clinic, re-engaged 600+ patients, and delivered 3,500 appointments in six months.

The Dr Michael Davis Award for Excellence in General Practice Leadership

 ✨ Dr Anthony Camilleri – Main Street Medical, Murwillumbah
Advocated for rural training access, strengthened registrar pathways, and fostered mentorship and flexibility.

✨ Dr Laura Brien – Health Voyage, Coffs Harbour
Established endometriosis clinic, improved multidisciplinary care, and fostered a trauma-informed, patient-centred culture.

 ✨ Dr Monica Taylor – Bullinah AMS
Embedded CQI and cultural safety at Bullinah, improving chronic disease and maternal care outcomes.

Excellence in Delivery of Mental Health in Primary Care

 ✨ ADHD Co-Management Model – NNSW
Enabled GP-led ADHD care, reducing waitlists and improving early intervention for 350+ children.

 ✨ Human Nature Adventure Therapy – Ballina
Provided nature-based care for adolescents, improving resilience and engagement among vulnerable groups.

 ✨ New Horizons – Coffs Harbour
Delivered i.am, a suicide aftercare program for children, improving wellbeing and reducing self-harm.

Excellence in Delivery of Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Health

 ✨ Bianca Monaghan – Health Voyage, Coffs Harbour
Co-designed Big Uncles Club, mentoring Aboriginal youth and embedding cultural safety.

 ✨ Courtney Smith – Bullinah AMS, Ballina
Led diabetes education day with culturally safe care and practical support, improving literacy and diagnoses.

 ✨ Nicole Dein – Bullinah AMS, Ballina
Created a culturally responsive NDIS model, improving access and mentoring Aboriginal staff.

Excellence in Innovation

 ✨ Bulgarr Ngaru – Casino
Pioneered regional paediatric cardiology clinic, improving early detection and reducing travel barriers.

 ✨ Health Voyage – Coffs Harbour
Introduced interdisciplinary pelvic pain clinic with no-gap allied health and digital tools.

 ✨ Maclean Medical – Maclean
Created nurse-led Access Health Clinic, delivering thousands of low-cost, same-day appointments.

 

Recognition of Service Awards

✨ Chris Clark – Registered Nurse​, Evans Head Medical Centre
20+ years of service 
Chris Clark has made transformative contributions to primary care across the Northern Rivers and North Coast for over 20 years, leading system reforms, championing culturally safe care, and establishing vital services like family care and Headspace, leaving a lasting legacy of equity and innovation.

✨Judi Bray – Psychologist, Grafton
25+ years of service
Judi Bray, a psychologist with 25 years of service in Grafton, has significantly improved community mental health through evidence-based interventions, adaptability during COVID, and unwavering dedication to supporting vulnerable individuals.

✨Dr Jay Ruthnam – General Practitioner, Northside Health Centre
40+ years of service
Dr Jay Ruthnam has dedicated over 40 years to improving primary care in Coffs Harbour through clinical excellence, leadership in emergency and rural health, advocacy for equity, and mentoring future healthcare professionals, leaving an enduring legacy of compassion and innovation.

✨ Dr Warwick Wickham, founder of Eastport Medical Centre
40+ years of service
Dr Warwick Wickham has provided over 40 years of compassionate, patient-centered care on the Mid North Coast, ensuring accessibility through bulk billing and continuity of care across generations, exemplifying integrity and commitment to health equity.

Join us in celebrating these outstanding achievements at the Awards Ceremony:

Tuesday 25 November 2025
Pacific Bay Resort, Coffs Harbour
5:30 PM – 9:00 PM

Tickets are limited, register now to attend! Get Tickets 

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Our regional partners

  • Local Health District partners in our footprint: Mid North Coast Local Health District (MNCLHD) & Northern New South Wales Local Health District (NNSWLHD)
  • Aboriginal Medical Services (AMS)
  • The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP)
  • Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine (ACRRM)
  • Rural Doctors Network (RDN)
  • Rural Clinical Schools & Regional Training Hubs
  • General Practitioners
  • Registrars and International Medical Graduates
  • North Coast Allied Health Association (NCAHA)
  • Local Councils
    Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA)
  • Universities including: Charles Sturt University (CSU), University of New South Wales (UNSW), Southern Cross University (SCU)

Aged Care Disaster Management Planning

Strategic Priority Area: One team

North Coast is identified as the region most likely to be impacted by climate change in Australia and also forecasted greatest growth in those 65+.

Healthy North Coast takes a lead role in ensuring the older population and the sector that supports them are prepared for, can respond to and recover from disasters and other emergencies.

We have led eight regional disaster management capacity building workshops, bringing together SES, community organisations and the aged care sector.

We have also developed disaster preparedness tip sheets for both residential and community aged care providers.

Read the media release: Aged Care Homes Prepare for Disasters

Voluntary Assisted Dying

Strategic Priority Area: One team

In May 2022, the NSW Parliament passed the Voluntary Assisted Dying Act 2022. Effective from Tuesday, 28 November 2023, eligible people have the choice to access voluntary assisted dying. 

Healthy North Coast has developed a webpage for both health professionals and consumers, with links to available information and resources.

Visit the Voluntary Assisted Dying webpage

Living with Dementia resources

Strategic Priority Area: No one is left behind

Healthy North Coast has worked with people living with dementia, their families and local service providers to develop an information booklet that will help them connect with local and national supports along their journey.

Highly regarded by a range of professional supporting those on or starting the dementia journey, the booklet includes commonly asked questions for people to ask their GP and/or specialist.

“It’s a fantastic resource and I give it to everyone on their first diagnosis. Its easy to read, so well planned and thought through and has lots of really useful information, tailored to the region.
I also find it very helpful when educating clinical staff.”

−Geropsychiatric Nurse Practitioner, Mid North Coast.

The resource is available in digital and printed copies, with more than 5,000 distributed across the region. An e-version is available to clinicians via the Dementia and Cognitive Impairment HealthPathway.

View the Living with Dementia booklet (PDF)

Deteriorating Resident Triage Tool

Strategic Priority Area: One team

Empowering aged care teams to deliver safer, more consistent care.

The Deteriorating Resident Triage Tool (DRRT) supports aged care staff to confidently recognise and respond to signs of resident deterioration. It enables timely, evidence-based decisions, strengthens communication with health services, and promotes early intervention and effective care planning, helping residents receive the right care, at the right time, in the right place. By doing so, it reduces unnecessary Emergency Department presentations and improves resident outcomes.

Developed in collaboration with a specialist geriatrician and informed by input from Residential Aged Care Managers, NSW Ambulance, GPs, and clinical experts across the Mid and North Coast Local Health Districts, the DRRT is practical, relevant, and aligned with contemporary best practice.

Aligned with the Strengthened Quality Standards:

  • Standard 1 – The Person: Respects resident preferences and Advance Care Directives.
  • Standard 2 – The Organisation: Strengthens governance and clinical oversight.
  • Standard 5 – Clinical Care: Supports early recognition and escalation of clinical deterioration.
View the deteriorating resident response tool

North Coast care finders program

Strategic Priority Area: No one is left behind

Care finders is a free service to assist older adults connect to aged care services and supports. Care finders support older people who experience significant barriers to accessing services, and walk alongside their clients at their own pace, to understand their individual situation and support them to work through the steps to address their needs. Care finders assist people with access to other supports in the community. They can provide connections both with accessing services for the first time, and with changing or finding new services and supports if their needs change.

Care finders can:

  • Provide information about local aged care services
  • Help to set up an assessment with My Aged Care to access support, and
  • Find services that are targeted and available to help.

The care finder program has been extended to June 2029 and is provided by the following organisations. Each (Lismore, Coffs Harbour, Clarence Valley, Richmond Valley, Port Macquarie-Hastings, Kempsey, Nambucca and Bellingen) and Footprints (Kyogle, Tweed, Byron and Ballina).

Download the HNC Needs Assessment for older people.
Learn more about care finders including referral path and local providers.
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Psychological services in residential aged care homes

Strategic Priority Area: Improving Lives Now

Healthy North Coast commissions two service providers to deliver psychological therapies and supports for older people with, or at risk of developing, a mental illness and who are living in residential aged care homes (RACHs).

The aim of the program is to both provide direct support to residents and their families and carers, as well as upskill the RACH workforce to respond to the needs of residents presenting with mental health concerns.

Visit the commissioned services listings to find out more, including service contact information.​

Healthy Towns. Healthy Communities.

Strategic Priority Area: Securing a Healthier Future

Connection and a sense of belonging are protective factors for both individual and community health and wellbeing. Evidence highlights that the social determinants of health play a critical role in addressing many of our regions health challenges.

That’s why Healthy North Coast has long been committed to supporting communities to strengthen and to build social health. Our initiatives, including contemporary ‘Social Prescribing’, help people to connect to activities, supports and each other, and assist communities to integrate services and bridge gaps.

Visit the Healthy Me Healthy Community service page
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Telehealth in Residential Aged Care

Strategic Priority Area: Improving Lives Now

The Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety identified several critical areas affecting aged care residents and our health system. Key challenges include:

  • Limited access to general practitioners (GPs) and allied health professionals in aged care facilities.
  • Difficulties accessing out-of-hours services

Telehealth offers valuable opportunities to enhance support for residents living in aged care homes. Funded by the Commonwealth Department of Health and Aged Care, this initiative provides telehealth equipment and staff training as part of the response to the Royal Commission’s findings.

By improving access to primary care clinicians, specialist services, and other service providers through telehealth, we can significantly enhance health outcomes for residents, reducing unnecessary hospital transfers and emergency department visits.

The selection of telehealth equipment was guided by our Healthy Ageing Strategy (HAS), a comprehensive digital discovery questionnaire, and consultation workshops with various stakeholders. These efforts included interviews with residents to understand their attitudes toward telehealth, ensuring the initiative meets their needs and preferences.

For more information, visit the Telehealth in Residential Aged Care​ webpage
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Greater Choice at Home Palliative Care Program

Strategic Priority Area: Improving Lives Now

Aims to provide people who have life limiting conditions the opportunity to exercise choice and receive high quality care at home, harnessing improved and better coordinated supports and services that meet their individual needs.

Program objectives:

  • Improve access to palliative care at home and support end-of-life care systems and services (in primary health care and community care)
  • To enable the right care at the right time and in the right place (to reduce unnecessary hospitalisation)
  • Generate and use data to support continuous improvement of services across sectors
  • Use available technologies to support flexible and responsive palliative care at home, including in the after-hours.

These objectives will contribute to achieving the following intended overarching outcomes of:

  • Improved capacity and responsiveness of services to meet local needs and priorities
  • Improved patient access to quality palliative care services in the home
  • Improved coordination of care for patients across health care providers and integration of palliative care services in their region.
Read more about the Greater Choice at Home Palliative Care Program
Download the 2023 Palliative and End-of-life Care Needs Assessment (PDF)

Education & training funding elibility

Funding is open to all primary care providers within disaster affected communities across the Healthy North Coast footprint.

References

  1. Healthy North Coast Health Needs Assessment, 2022-2025
  2. Northern Rivers Community Foundation (2023). Northern Rivers Vital Signs, 2023
  3. Northern Rivers Community Foundation Flood Impact Report, May 2023
  4. Ang, C., Abdo, M., Rose, V., Lim, R., and Taylor, J. (2023). Participatory Grantmaking: Building the Evidence. Centre for Evidence and Innovation. 
  5. Lee, G., Vine, K., Atkinson, A-R., Tong, M., Longman, J., Barratt, A., Bailie, R., Vardoulakis, S., Matthews, V., & Mizanur Rahman, K. (2023). Impacts of Climate Change on Health and Health Services in Northern New South Wales, Australia: A Rapid Review. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 20, 6285. 
  6. Sewell, T., Stephens, R., Dominey-Howes, D., Bruce, E., & Perkins-Kirkpatrick, S. (2016), Disaster declarations associated with bushfires, floods and storms in New South Wales, Australia between 2004 and 2014. Scientific Reports (6). 
  7. Dominey-Howes, D., Bruce, E., Stephens, R., Perkins-Kirkpatrick, S., & Sewell, T. (2016). Natural disasters are affecting some of Australia’s most disadvantaged communities. The Conversation. 

Workforce Locum support and R&R funding criteria

  • Available to primary care services in disaster impacted communities within the Healthy North Coast footprint.
  • Available to support short-term workforce coverage, allowing clinicians to rest and recover.
  • Workforce-support funding in total is capped for each site, over a 12-month period:
    • $10k for GPs and/or
    • $5K for nursing and/or
    • $5k administration support and/or
    • $5K allied/pharmacy and other.
  • Funding is not to be used to fill gaps in staffing that have not been able to recruit to and not to replace existing staff.
  • Healthy North Coast will assess requirements and approve available funding directly with the service requesting support.
  • Priority will be given to sites that have immediate, short-term workforce support needs.
  • Requests will be reviewed and supported on a case-by-case basis.
  • Program funding administered via RCTI Agreement (Recipient Created Tax Invoice) to be paid monthly, or on completion of the placement (whichever comes first).
  • Practices will be required to complete a request for payment form monthly, or on completion of the placement (whichever occurs first).

Wellbeing Flexible Funding Criteria & Eligibility

  • Open to all primary care providers within disaster affected communities across the Healthy North Coast footprint.
  • Activity must be purposeful, with the aim of increasing the wellbeing of your team.
  • Requests will be assessed on a case-by-case basis, with funding allocated based on team size.*
  • Following approval by Healthy North Coast, funding will be administered via RCTI Agreement (Recipient Created Tax Invoice) upon providing proof of expenses.
  • Funding cannot be used for the purchase of alcohol, or any other goods or services where the vendor cannot quote their Australian Business Number.
  • Planned activities must occur prior to 30th June 2024.
  • Funding will not be available for retrospective activities.
*Team Size
(Total staff and contractors)		Funding Available
Small (1-5)$500-$1500
Medium (6-20)$1500-$4000
Large (>20)$4000-$5000

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