Local nurses celebrated among NSW Health Nursing and Midwifery Award winners

Transitional Nurse Practitioner Amy Sutherland, from Gilgandra Multipurpose Service, and Registered Nurse Sarah Driver, from Bathurst Health Service's Emergency Department, were among the nine award winners crowned at a presentation ceremony in Sydney on 24 November. 

Amy won the Aboriginal Nurse/Midwife of the Year Award, while Sarah won the Healing Heart Consumer Award.

NSW Health Secretary Susan Pearce said the annual awards are an important reminder and opportunity to reflect and recognise the commitment, innovative and outstanding care being provided by the state's nurses and midwives. 

"I want to congratulate all the nominees and winners of this year's awards and also extend my deepest thanks to all nurses and midwives, who play an integral role in delivering high-quality care to patients, families and communities across the state," Ms Pearce said.

Amy is WNSWLHD's first Aboriginal-identified Transition Nurse Practitioner and was recognised for her outstanding leadership, advocacy and contribution to Aboriginal health, and also won the District's equivalent award in May.

She said there was "just no way' she could thank a single person. Instead, Amy thanked the many people who have had an impact on her professionally, and personally.

"I'd thank my village. My friends, family, work colleagues and my community. Without a doubt, without these guys, without any of them there's no way that I would be doing what I'm doing. So I owe everything to them," she said.

"The Aboriginal workforce, same thing applies. I'm very proud to be part of it and I see you, and I'm proud to walk with you. I think the last one would be the future generation - I can't wait to meet you and to, I guess, walk this journey with you."

Sarah was recognised with the Healing Heart Consumer Award, which highlights the extraordinary compassion and skilled care she provided to a patient during one of their most vulnerable moments. The award is considered among the ceremony's most prestigious, as nominees are identified by consumers.

In this case, Sarah's patient submitted the nomination, who said the care received "changed her life". From her calm communication to the genuine kindness she showed in small gestures, the nomination is a true reflection of how deeply she impacted the patient's sense of safety, dignity and comfort.

Now working at Newcastle's Mater Hospital, Sarah also chose to thank those around her, also saying she didn't realise the impact she had on the patient, and that she was shocked, honoured and touched to receive the nomination.

"To be the winner of this award I feel really shocked, and proud of myself for doing something that, to me, my everyday day-to-day. But the way it's impacted someone just means a lot," she said.

"I would really like to thank my colleagues I work with, both doctors and nurses, who support me daily. I would also like to thank my friends and family.

"Most importantly, I'd like to thank the patient who nominated me for this award. I hope you are doing well, and I really appreciate you nominating me so something that is so big and wonderful."

WNSWLHD Executive Director Quality, Clinical Safety and Nursing Adrian Fahy congratulated the pair, and said Amy and Sarah’s recognition speaks volumes of their commitment and passion.

“This acknowledgement is testament to the commitment and compassion Amy and Sarah put into the care they provide each and every day. They are two shining examples of the incredible nursing and midwifery workforce we are so fortunate to have in our health system," Mr Fahy said.

Find out more about Amy and Sarah's work and awards, and all of the winners of the 2025 awards on the NSW Health website.