Finalists announced for the 2026 Murrumbidgee Primary Healthcare Awards
Murrumbidgee Primary Health Network (MPHN) has announced the finalists for the 2026 Murrumbidgee Primary Healthcare Awards, recognising achievement in leadership, innovation and healthy living.
The awards celebrate excellence in primary healthcare and honour the people making a significant contribution to the health and wellbeing of local communities. Winners will be announced at a gala dinner on Friday 30 October 2026 at The Range Function Centre in Wagga Wagga.
MPHN CEO Narelle Mills said this year’s finalists reflected the inspiring work taking place in primary healthcare.
“We’re fortunate to have dedicated healthcare professionals and organisations finding new ways to improve access to care, support healthier lifestyles and deliver better outcomes for their communities,” Ms Mills said.
"The calibre of applications we received this year was exceptional, highlighting the depth of commitment to primary healthcare and the positive impact being made across our region.
“Our finalists exemplify that commitment, and we’re looking forward to recognising and celebrating their achievements at our awards ceremony.”
Outstanding Contribution to Leadership in Primary Healthcare
This award honours a health professional or practice that has displayed exceptional leadership over the last 12 months, positively influencing primary healthcare in the Murrumbidgee region. The finalists are:
Dr Katrina DeMarco
Dr Katrina DeMarco, of Your Health Griffith, has strengthened access to healthcare for residential aged care residents in Hillston by establishing a sustainable model of regular GP services. Alongside her clinical work and her role as Regional Academic Lead for the University of Wollongong, she has helped ensure vulnerable older people receive consistent, high-quality care within their community.
Dr Megan Elliott-Rudder - GP Antenatal Shared Care Program 2025
Dr Megan Elliott-Rudder has strengthened antenatal shared care in the Murrumbidgee through her leadership of the GP Antenatal Shared Care Program. By fostering collaboration between GPs, midwives and obstetric specialists, developing clinical resources and delivering professional education, she has helped build GP confidence and capacity to provide high-quality pregnancy care for families.
Daniel Perri
Daniel Perri, Director and Senior Podiatrist at The Foot Clinics, developed a structured two-year graduate program to support new podiatrists entering the profession. Through mentoring, workforce education and his role as a clinical educator at Charles Sturt University, Daniel is helping build a skilled and sustainable podiatry workforce, supporting clinician confidence, wellbeing and professional development.
Dr Nathaniel Chiang
Dr Nathaniel Chiang, Vascular Surgeon at the Riverina Vascular Care Centre, established a weekly multidisciplinary high-risk foot clinic that has transformed the pathway for patients at risk of limb loss across the Murrumbidgee. By bringing vascular surgery, podiatry and advanced assessment together through one coordinated pathway, Dr Chiang has strengthened collaboration between primary and specialist care, enabled earlier intervention and improved access to limb-saving treatment closer to home.
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 are:
Improving Access to Structured Scoliosis Care in the Griffith and Riverina Community
Improving Access to Structured Scoliosis Care in the Griffith and Riverina Community is helping people with scoliosis access assessment, education, exercise-based management and ongoing monitoring closer to home. Developed by the team at Riverina Family Chiropractic, the program provides a coordinated local care pathway, reducing the need for travel while empowering patients and families to better understand and manage scoliosis.
Multidisciplinary High Risk Foot Clinic - Bill Ryder in partnership with Dr Nathaniel Chiang
The Multidisciplinary High Risk Foot Clinic, led by Bill Ryder in partnership with Dr Nathaniel Chiang, is transforming care for primary care patients at risk of limb loss. By bringing together podiatry, vascular surgery and specialised technology in a coordinated model of care, the clinic improves access to timely, evidence-based treatment, helping patients receive limb-saving care.
2025 Narrandera Tradie Charity Day – Tough Jobs, Real Talk
2025 Narrandera Tradie Charity Day – Tough Jobs, Real Talk is an innovative community-led initiative that brings mental health conversations directly to local tradies in a familiar and trusted setting. Hosted by Bundy’s Plastering, the event connected more than 80 tradies and community members with mental health services, lived-experience speakers and support organisations, helping to reduce stigma, encourage help-seeking and strengthen community connections.
Promoting Healthy Living
This award recognises projects encouraging people to take ownership of their own health and wellbeing. The finalists are:
Hearing Voices Support Groups
Hearing Voices Support Groups provide a safe, peer-led space for people who hear voices or have related experiences. Operating in multiple Murrumbidgee communities, the groups help reduce isolation, build coping skills and foster recovery. Through peer support and lived experience leadership, the program is helping to reduce stigma and strengthen mental health support networks.
Jingellic Hub Women's and Men's High Tea Events
Jingellic Hub Women’s and Men’s High Tea Events brought rural community members together in a welcoming, non-clinical setting to promote mental health, wellbeing and social connection. Developed in response to local needs, the events encouraged conversations about self-care, resilience and help-seeking, helping to reduce stigma, strengthen community connections and support healthier lifestyles in the Jingellic district.
Lungs in Action - In Motion Fitness
The Lungs in Action program, led by Exercise Physiologist Mick Wainwright, helps people living with chronic lung and heart conditions stay active after completing rehabilitation. By combining supervised exercise with peer support, the program is improving confidence, independence and quality of life, while helping participants make physical activity a sustainable part of managing their health and wellbeing.
Riverina Ramblers
Riverina Ramblers is a community-led initiative bringing people together through regular walk-and-talk events, regional meet-ups and mental health education workshops in seven Riverina communities. Combining physical activity, social connection and mental health education, the program is helping to reduce isolation, strengthen community resilience and equip people with the confidence to support their own wellbeing and that of others.
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. The finalists are:
Amelia Fitzgerald
Amelia Fitzgerald, Peer Team Leader with Wellways Universal Aftercare program, is helping strengthen the role of lived experience in healthcare. Through workforce mentoring, regional collaboration and advocacy, she has supported the integration of lived experience perspectives into service delivery while helping build a more connected, capable and sustainable workforce.
Alana Higgins
Alana Higgins, Practice and Business Development Manager at Nova Health Co, has helped establish innovative, patient-centred services for women and their families. By implementing new models of care, including specialised clinics for endometriosis, menopause and hyperemesis gravidarum, while fostering workforce development and multidisciplinary collaboration, she has strengthened access to coordinated healthcare and improved services for women.
Priscilla Jaya
Priscilla Jaya developed and delivered Brave Conversations, a grassroots suicide prevention initiative that equipped people in rural and regional communities with the skills and confidence to recognise suicide risk, have difficult conversations and connect others with support. Through training, mentoring and the development of Community Champions, the program strengthened mental health literacy and built community capacity for early intervention and suicide prevention.
Dr Jessica Wright
Dr Jessica Wright, Principal GP and owner of Gundagai Medical Centre, has improved access to healthcare, grown the local medical workforce and supported the next generation of rural doctors. Through her commitment to clinical excellence, medical education and community leadership, she has helped build a sustainable general practice that supports both current and future healthcare needs in Gundagai.
Winners will be announced at the 2026 Murrumbidgee Primary Healthcare Awards on 30 October. For more information, visit mphn.org.au/awards.