All of the winners standing at the 2026 Southern NSW Local Health District Excellence Awards. Credit: SNSWLHD.
Southern NSW Local Health District has honoured health staff at its 2026 Excellence Awards.
The annual Excellence Awards, held at the Bicentennial Hall in Queanbeyan, recognised staff achievements in safety, innovation, sustainability, workplace culture, and patient care across 23 categories.
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 Elevating Surgical Services Project, Cooma & South East Regional Hospital.
Business Partner, Surgical Services, Monica Alcock and Deputy Director on Nursing and Midwifery, Cooma Hospital, Rochelle Woolf, holding their Chief Executive Award for the Elevating Surgical Services Project at the 2026 SNSWLHD Excellence Awards. Credit: SNSWLHD.
This project stood out across all award categories and demonstrated exceptional commitment to the health and wellbeing of the people of Southern NSW.
Board Chair Elizabeth Hoskins presented the prestigious Board Chair Award to Dr Marielle Ruigrok, Director, Emergency Department, Queanbeyan Hospital for her exceptional commitment to patients and her passion for leadership.
Director of Emergency at Queanbeyan District Hospital, Dr Marielle Ruigrok, accepting the Board Chair Award at the 2026 SNSWLHD Excellence Awards. Credit: SNSWLHD.
This honour highlights Marielle’s remarkable contribution that has strengthened patient care, and improved staff wellbeing.
Dr Allan Hawke AC Outstanding Leadership Award was presented to Clint Wilkie, Manager Allied Health & Community, Coastal Network. This award recognised Clint’s outstanding leadership, collaboration and commitment to strengthening our culture and performance.
Coastal Allied Health and Community Manager, Clint Wilkie, accepting the Dr Allan Hawke AC Outstanding Leadership Award at the 2026 SNSWLHD Excellence Awards. Credit: SNSWLHD.
Chief Executive, Southern NSW Local Health District, Margaret Bennett said:
“Excellence in healthcare is not a single moment, but the result of consistent dedication, compassion and collaboration across our teams.
“Behind every nomination is a story of care, leadership and commitment to delivering high-quality, patient-centred services.
“By recognising excellence, we continue to build a culture where people feel valued, supported and inspired to do their best work.”
2026 Award Winners
Individual Awards
Board Chair Award
Winner: Dr Marielle Ruigrok, Director, Emergency Department, Queanbeyan Hospital
Location: Queanbeyan
Chief Executive’s Award
Winner: Elevating Surgical Services Project, Cooma & South East Regional Hospital
Location: Cooma and Bega
Dr Allan Hawke AC Award for Outstanding Leadership
Winner: Clint Wilkie, Manager Allied Health & Community, Coastal Network
Location: Bega
Commitment to Service Award
Winner: Jenni Hudson, Manager, Child & Adolescent Mental Health Service, Mental Health and Alcohol & Other Drugs
Location: Yass
Allied Health Professional of the Year
Winner: Kylie Langbein, Dietitian
Location: Goulburn
Midwife of the Year
Winner: Di Hurrell, Registered Midwife
Location: Goulburn
Nurse of the Year
Winner: Taylor Farrell, Clinical Nurse Consultant, Sexual Assault Service, Integrated Violence, Abuse & Neglect Services
Location: District-wide
Small Acts of Kindness Award
Winner: Jason Morris, Clinical Nurse Consultant, Disaster Response and Recovery Team, Mental Health and Alcohol & Other Drugs
Location: Moruya
Corporate Support Staff Member of the Year
Winner: Shannan Craig, Risk Manager, Governance Risk & Audit
Location: Queanbeyan
Volunteer of the Year
Winner: Mark Browne, Member, Consumer & Carer Advisory Group
Location: Eurobodalla
Elevate Emerging Leader of the Year Award
Winner: Marty Garner, Technical Support Officer, Goulburn Information Services Unit
Location: Goulburn
Medical Officer of the Year Award
Winner: Dr Nathan Oates, Anaesthetist and Director of Prevocational Education and Training, South East Regional Hospital
Location: Bega
Team & Project Awards
Allied Health Team of the Year
Winner: Disaster Response & Recovery Team
Location: District-wide
Transforming Patient Experience Award
Winner: Indigenous Chronic Disease Equity and Access Outreach Program, Aboriginal Health & Single Point of Care
Location: District-wide
Manager Aboriginal Workforce and Development, Nikkei Simon, Health Promotion Coordinator, Jennifer Mozina, and Aboriginal Health Promotion Officer, Donna Wade accepting the Closing the Gap Award at the 2026 SNSWLHD Excellence Awards. Credit: SNSWLHD.
Closing the Gap Award
Winner: Respecting the Difference: Locally Led Cultural Responsiveness Training, Aboriginal Health
Location: District-wide
Patient Safety Award
Winner: Safer Patient Outcomes Through Allergy Assessment – a pharmacist-led roll-out initiative of direct oral penicillin challenge guidelines, Pharmacy
Location: District-wide
Excellence in the Provision of Mental Health Services
Winner: Consumer and Carer Partnership in Mental Health and Alcohol & Other Drugs
Location: District-wide
People and Culture Award
Winner: Goulburn Wellbeing Committee, Goulburn Base Hospital
Location: Goulburn
Keeping People Healthy
Winner: Bombala "Getting better with age" event, Population Health
Location: Bombala
Health Equity Award
Winner: Expanding Hospital in the Home and Infusion Services, Operations and Nursing & Midwifery
Location: District-wide
Health Research and Digital Innovation Award
Winner: Understanding Participant Recruitment in Human Research - Insights from Regional New South Wales, Australia, Research Office
Location: Queanbeyan
Environmental Sustainability Award
Winner: Sterilising Services Endoscopy Storage Extension, Corporate Services and Asset Management
Location: District-wide
ACI Rural Innovation Award
Winner: Safer Patient Outcomes Through Allergy Assessment – a pharmacist-led roll-out initiative of direct oral penicillin challenge guidelines, Pharmacy
Location: District-wide