Aged Care Evaluation Unit named finalist in national awards
Southern NSW Local Health District's Aged Care Evaluation Unit (ACEU), a long-running partnership with the Australian National University, has been named a finalist in the 2025 National Rural and Remote Health Awards.
The Awards recognise the extraordinary efforts of health professionals and organisations working in rural and remote communities across Australia. ACEU is one of three finalists in the Rural/Remote Aged or Disability Carer category, alongside Meg's Care Team, based in Yackandandah, Victoria, and Team Anthony from TCASS Alice Springs, Northern Territory. The finalists were selected from a record number of nominations nationwide.
This national recognition celebrates the ACEU's compassionate, person-centred work to improve the lives of older people and individuals living with dementia in rural and remote communities over two decades - with particular acknowledgement to Dr Katrina Anderson and Annaliese Blair.
In recent years, the ACEU has secured over $4.2 million in grants and involved more than 20 rural clinicians in its projects - building local capacity and strengthening aged care services across Southern's communities.
The awards are hosted by Rural Health Pro and supported by the Rural Doctors Network. Finalists were selected for the ten Award categories by a judging panel of rural health practitioners, researchers, policymakers, and advocates.
Winners will be announced at the award ceremony at the National Press Club on 5 November 2025, during Rural Health Month.