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 recipient of this award will have demonstrated excellent leadership, leading to advancements in primary healthcare within the Murrumbidgee region. Nominees will have worked in the field for eight years or less and can be self, or peer nominated.
Criteria:
The nominee has worked in the field for no more than eight years.
During the period July 2025 – June 2026, describe how the nominee exhibited leadership in primary healthcare. This leadership could be in any of the following areas:
Capacity and capability building
Medical research
Teaching, education or mentoring
Population health
Health professional wellbeing
Change management
Explain how this leadership has positively influenced primary healthcare in the Murrumbidgee region.
Provide evidence demonstrating how this leadership has led to advancements in primary healthcare within the Murrumbidgee region.
Please note, in order to uphold the integrity of this award, the judging panel reserves the right to either grant or withhold this award.
Click here to see the judging criteria.
Past finalists of this award
2025
Winner: Angus Drysdale
As Team Leader of the Wellways Universal Aftercare service, Angus Drysdale has played a vital role in supporting people across the Murrumbidgee after a suicidal crisis. In a region with some of the highest suicide rates, Angus has strengthened service delivery, built team stability and ensured that every referral received timely, compassionate care. He has fostered a culture of inclusion, safety and support – improving staff morale and retention – and positioning the service as an essential part of suicide prevention across the region.
Highly commended: Brendan van den Clarke
Through NSW Health’s Getting On Track In Time – Got It! program, social worker Brendan van den Clarke delivers early intervention mental health support to children showing challenging behaviours across regional schools. He has strengthened outcomes by mentoring staff, engaging families and stepping into leadership roles whenever needed. Brendan’s culturally responsive, trauma-informed approach has improved child wellbeing, built school capacity and fostered deep trust across communities.
Highly commended: Ellie Worthington
Across Australia, a farmer dies by suicide every 10 days. Ellie Worthington is dedicated to changing that – bringing mental health care to the people who feed the nation yet often put their own wellbeing last. As the Farmgate Counsellor at Griffith Mental Health, Drug and Alcohol, Ellie has made support accessible for farming communities across the Murrumbidgee. Through personal, on-site engagement, she builds trust and helps farmers and families seek care they might otherwise avoid.
2024
Winner: Cristie Simpson
Griffith Aboriginal Medical Service (GAMS) launched a pilot speech therapy program with the Rural Doctor’s Network to support local First Nations children. Led by Allied Health Assistant Cristie Simpson, the program offers online appointments and play therapy, with Cristie conducting assessments and facilitating therapy. Since February 2024, Cristie has supported 189 care episodes and is pursuing a Certificate 4 in Allied Health - Speech Therapy. GAMS aims to expand the program to Lake Cargelligo and Hay by hiring another allied health assistant.
Highly commended: headspace Griffith CARES team
From October 2023 to August 2024, the headspace Griffith CARES team joined the Orygen Implementation Lab to address referral, recruitment, and retention challenges. With tailored support, headspace Griffith successfully recruited six clinicians, along with administration and community engagement staff, creating a stable and committed team. Improved referral processes ensure clients receive the right support from the appropriate provider.