Finalists announced for the 2025 Murrumbidgee Primary Healthcare Awards
MPHN has announced the finalists for the 2025 Murrumbidgee Primary Healthcare Awards, which celebrate excellence and innovation across the region’s healthcare sector.
The awards recognise people and organisations making a significant impact in primary healthcare and will be presented at a gala dinner on Friday 31 October 2025 at The Range Function Centre, Wagga Wagga.
MPHN Acting Chief Executive Officer Ms Julie Redway said the awards are an opportunity to honour the dedication of those working to improve health outcomes across the region.
“These awards shine a light on the people and projects that are helping communities live healthier lives,” Ms Redway said. “We’re proud to celebrate their achievements and share their stories.”
Promoting Healthy Living
This category recognises projects encouraging people to take ownership of their own health and wellbeing. The finalists are:
Dance4wellbeing
A weekly dance-based mobility program launched in August 2024 across Young, Harden, Cootamundra and Temora. Designed for older adults in community, aged care and online settings, the program promotes healthy ageing through gentle movement, social connection and evidence-based falls prevention. It uses music and themed content to enhance physical, cognitive and emotional wellbeing, and supports accessibility through affordable options and digital resources like the Sound Moves 55+ movement library.
H.E.R – Harden’s Exercise Revolution
Launched in March 2025, this community fitness initiative encourages people over 60 in Harden Murrumburrah and surrounding areas to engage in regular physical activity. Evolving from popular aqua and dance classes, it offers four varied weekly sessions that improve strength, balance and functional fitness. The program fosters healthy behaviours through peer support, practical health discussions and a strong social component, while drawing on evidence-based approaches to support ageing well and managing chronic conditions.
In Motion Fitness – Lungs in Action
A community exercise program launched in September 2023 in Wagga Wagga for people with chronic lung disease, lung cancer or heart conditions. It helps participants manage breathlessness, build strength and stay socially connected through safe, evidence-based classes. The program has expanded to offer four cost-free weekly sessions and includes Golden Warrior, a fitness class for over-60s focused on strength, balance and mobility.
Outstanding Contribution to Leadership in Primary Healthcare
This award honours a health professional or practice that has displayed exceptional leadership, positively influencing primary healthcare in the Murrumbidgee region. Finalists include:
Michael Broughan
Recognised for his leadership in improving access, connection and wellbeing in Henty. Over the past year, he has helped attract new services, coordinated health events, supported aged care and early childhood training, and advocated for essential worker housing, creating a healthier, more connected community.
Good Shepherd Family Medical Centre
Acknowledged for delivering culturally inclusive, patient-centred care focused on prevention, chronic disease management and early skin cancer detection. Since June 2024, the centre has improved health outcomes, reduced hospital admissions and achieved 99% patient satisfaction, contributing to a healthier and more informed Riverina community.
Michelle Hutchison
Celebrated for improving access, equity and cultural safety for drug and alcohol consumers in Griffith. She introduced dry blood spot testing, advocated for subsidised treatment for vulnerable clients and fostered a supportive, inclusive service model. Her work has enhanced early detection, strengthened community trust and earned district-wide recognition through two major awards.
Emerging Leader
This award recognises an emerging health leader, in a clinical or non-clinical role, that has made an outstanding contribution to leadership in primary healthcare. Finalists are:
Angus Drysdale
As Team Leader of Universal Aftercare, Angus has improved service delivery and team stability in a region with high suicide rates. He ensured 100% of referrals received timely support, strengthened culturally safe and inclusive care, and boosted staff morale and retention, positioning the program as a vital part of suicide prevention in the Murrumbidgee region.
Brendan van den Clarke
Recognised for delivering early intervention mental health support to children in regional schools through the Got It! program. Brendan has strengthened outcomes by mentoring staff, engaging families and stepping into leadership roles when needed. His culturally responsive, trauma-informed approach has improved child wellbeing, built school capacity and fostered trust across communities.
Ellie Worthington
As Farmgate Counsellor, Ellie has made mental health support accessible to farming communities across the Murrumbidgee. She builds trust through personal, on-site engagement, helping farmers and families seek care they might otherwise avoid. Her work has led to earlier intervention, stronger referral pathways and no suicides among those she’s supported, reshaping how mental health is understood and accessed in rural areas.
Innovation
This award recognises activities promoting new or creative ways to improve the health and wellbeing of our community; or improve business outcomes. The finalists in this category are:
CreateSpace Collective
A youth-led creative wellbeing program at headspace Griffith that runs alongside the Thursday late-night clinic. It offers flexible activities, shared meals and peer connection in a safe, non-clinical space, reducing isolation, easing pressure on clinical services and supporting early intervention. The program has led to strong engagement, improved access to care and even youth employment through lived experience roles.
Perimenopause Online Education Program
A cost-effective, interactive initiative delivered via Teams to improve health literacy among women aged 45–55 in the Murrumbidgee region. Led by a dietitian and physiotherapist, the three-session program covered nutrition, exercise and wellbeing—reaching 57 participants and achieving strong outcomes in confidence, knowledge and access to support.
Voluntary School-Based Vision Screening Program – George & Matilda Eyecare Griffith
A free, on-site initiative at Beelbangera Public School addressing undetected vision issues in children. By integrating screenings into the school day and using digital tools for follow-up, the program removed barriers to care and engaged families. Of 84 children screened, over 60% needed further assessment, highlighting a significant unmet need. The program improved health outcomes, built community trust and created a scalable model for embedding eye care in primary education.
Winners will be announced at the awards ceremony on 31 October. For more information, visit mphn.org.au/awards.