MLHD Excellence Awards finalists announced
The finalists for the 2026 Murrumbidgee Local Health District (MLHD) Excellence Awards have been announced.
Nominations have been received across nine team award categories and six individual award categories, which have now been narrowed down to finalists in each category.
MLHD Chief Executive Emma Field said the Awards represent an opportunity to recognise and reward accomplishments of teams and individuals across the District.
It’s a fantastic opportunity for our organisation to come together and recognise the incredible contributions of our finalists, who consistently go above and beyond for patients, colleagues and communities across MLHD,” Ms Field said.
“The calibre and diversity of nominations this year have been outstanding, and our judging panels have faced a challenging task in selecting just three finalists in each category. This speaks to the depth of talent and commitment we have across our workforce.”
“The MLHD Excellence Awards acknowledge the dedication of our staff and volunteers, and their unwavering commitment to delivering exceptional care and making a meaningful difference in the lives of the people we serve.”
Winners will be announced on Friday 12 June 2026 during a ceremony in the Charles Sturt University Convention Centre.
MLHD would like to thank our major sponsors: Imaging Associates, Linet Group and the Riverina Regional Training Hub, University of Notre Dame.
Team award categories:
Digital Innovation
Pre-School Check App
Suicide Prevention Outreach Team
Reimagining Foetal Monitoring for Safer Care
Enhancing People and Culture
Adaptive Team-Based Care
Regional Allied Health Student Program
SmoothStart After-Hours Graduate Support Program
Enriching Consumer Experience
Paediatric Safe Space
Integrated Care Allied Health Assistant Holistic Model of Care
Rural Generalist Nurse Practitioner Team
Excellence in Multicultural Healthcare
When Mental Healthcare Speaks Your Language
DanceMoves Program
Multicultural Women’s Health in Cootamundra
Exceptional Aboriginal Healthcare
Culturally Safe Aboriginal Drug and Alcohol Care
Marrabinya: Get Well Pathway
Protecting Aboriginal Lives: Domestic Violence Safety Action Meeting
Health Research
Oral Iron Program for First Nations Women
Strengthening Emergency Department to Community Partnerships
Using the Rehab ABC for Functional Independence Measure Accuracy
Keeping People Healthy
POWER Program
Tier-4 Developmental Assessment in Preschoolers
Walanmarra Multidisciplinary Clinic
Patient Safety First
Leading Where Suicide Risk Exists
Timely Administration of Parkinson’s Medications
Preventing Serious Harm: Domestic Violence Safety Action Meeting
Sustainability & Environment
Ceasing Auto-Printing of Discharge Summaries
Striving Towards Net Zero: Tumut Health Service
Diverting Soft Plastic Wrap from Landfill
Individual award categories:
Allied Health Staff Member of the Year
Yee Chin Kwang
Ashleigh Fulton
Margaret Hargraves
Jackie Brodie Memorial
Nigel Smith
Stephen Collins
Karen Mobourne
Nurse or Midwife of the Year
Amy Hartley
Debby Howard
Claire VanWyk
Staff Member of the Year
Kirrian Steer
Owen Sainsbury
Mid Battye
Volunteer of the Year
Marianne Mitchell
Debbie Rheinberger
Urana Hospital Auxiliary
Don Kendell Award
John Dean
Stacey Casley
Nigel Smith
Excellence Awards major sponsors
Riverina Regional Training Hub | University of Notre Dame
Imaging Associates
LINET
