Awards spotlight excellence at Southern NSW Local Health District
Southern honoured more than 100 staff members at its 2025 Excellence Awards, held at the Queanbeyan Performing Arts Centre on 11 June 2025.
Awards were presented across 21 categories recognising achievements in safety, innovation, sustainability, workplace culture, and patient care.
This year’s nominations highlighted the dedication and professionalism of staff from across the district’s diverse services and locations.
Southern NSW Local Health District’s Chief Executive Margaret Bennett presented the Chief Executive’s Award to the Clinical Products Procurement and the Nursing and Midwifery Leadership teams, in recognition of their outstanding contributions.
Board Chair Elizabeth Hoskins presented the prestigious Board Chair Award to Southern’s Research Office team for its significant impact on health research in the region.
District Director of Pharmacy, Alice McKellar, received the Dr Allan Hawke AC Outstanding Leadership Award, recognising her exemplary leadership and influence across the District. Ms McKellar’s team was also recognised for its work improving antimicrobial stewardship in rural settings through virtual clinical rounds, earning both the Keeping People Healthy Award and the ACI Rural Innovation Award.
Shellie Burgess from the Agency for Clinical Innovation was on hand to present the ACI Rural Innovation Award, recognising the impact of creative and collaborative models of care in rural settings.
Guests were also inspired by keynote speaker Associate Professor A-J Collins, a consultant endocrine and breast surgeon who shared stories from his work with Mercy Ships - volunteering surgical care in some of the world’s most under-resourced communities.
As an added bonus this year, attendees also had the chance to enjoy the QPRC Annual Art Awards exhibition, on display at The Q, making the day not just a recognition of professional excellence, but a reflection of the community we serve.
Local winners will now progress to represent the District at the NSW Health Awards and the National Rural and Remote Health Awards later this year. Congratulations to all nominees and finalists whose dedication and innovation continue to lift health outcomes.