Celebrating outstanding midwives and nurses in Far West LHD
The professionalism, dedication, and compassion of nurses and midwives across Far West Local Health District has been recognised today, as part of local celebrations for International Nurses Day (12 May) and International Day of the Midwife (5 May). Nine individuals and one team were acknowledged by the district in its Excellence in Nursing and Midwifery awards for 2025.
Far West NSW Local Health District Executive Director of Nursing and Midwifery Wendy Gleeson congratulated both the winners and the nominees for their hard work and commitment.
“I want to extend my congratulations to not only our Nurse of the Year Elise Pascoe and our Midwife of the Year Shae Cunnie, but to all of our winners and nominees,” Ms Gleeson said.
“Nurses and midwives play a very important role in all stages of a person’s life, and we acknowledge that with our annual awards.
“I wish to extend my deepest gratitude to all of our dedicated nurses and midwives who are highly skilled, and continually working to improve health outcomes and experiences for everyone in our community,” she said.
- Far West LHD Nurse of the Year Award winners announced today as part of International Day of the Nurse celebrations. (Not all winners could be present).
Ms Gleeson said nursing and midwifery are incredibly rewarding careers.
“This is particularly true in rural and remote areas, and the satisfaction gained from caring for and helping keep our local community members safe and healthy is second to none.”
Each award winner will be nominated in the NSW Health Excellence in Nursing and Midwifery Awards 2025 which will be announced in Sydney later this year.
The full list of award recipients for 2025 are:
• Nurse of the Year – Elise Pascoe.
• Midwife of the Year – Shae Cunnie.
• Aboriginal/Torres Strait Islander Nurse/Midwife of the Year – Tamara Thomas
• New to Practice Nurse/Midwife of the Year – Amelia Edson.
• Team of the Year Award – Wentworth Health Service.
• Judith Meppem Lifetime Achievement Award – Viv Williams.
• Leadership Award – Barbara Turner.
• Healing Heart – Colleague Nominated Award – Gabrielle Schaefer.
• Healing Heart – Consumer Nominated Award – Callum Mutch and Shakierra Murray.