Southern NSW Local Health District has honoured more than 100 staff members at its 2025 Excellence Awards, held at the Queanbeyan Performing Arts Centre.
Awards were presented across 21 categories recognising achievements in safety, innovation, sustainability, workplace culture, and patient care.
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 Clinical Products Procurement and the Nursing and Midwifery Leadership teams, in recognition of their outstanding contributions.
Board Chair Elizabeth Hoskins presented the prestigious Board Chair Award to Southern’s Research Office team for its significant impact on health research in the region.
District Director of Pharmacy, Alice McKellar, received the Dr Allan Hawke AC Outstanding Leadership Award, recognising her exemplary leadership and influence across the District. Ms McKellar’s team was also recognised for its work improving antimicrobial stewardship in rural settings through virtual clinical rounds, earning both the Keeping People Healthy Award and the ACI Rural Innovation Award.
The full list of 2025 Excellence Award winners will be published on the SNSWLHD website.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Health, Ryan Park:
“To all the winners and nominees – thank you. You show us what it means to serve your community with heart and excellence. Your communities are lucky to have you.
“I want to thank all the finalists for their dedication to providing compassionate care.
“Whether it’s frontline care or behind-the-scenes improvement, our health system relies on people who lead with integrity, think creatively, and act with purpose. These award winners embody all of that.”
Quotes attributable to Member for Bega, Dr Michael Holland:
“I want to acknowledge the hard work and dedication of the winners, those nominated, and all the district’s health care workers, who care for the community every day.”
Quotes attributable to Member for Monaro, Steve Whan:
“These awards recognise the vital role health professionals play in the public health system, through their professionalism, kindness and compassion. Congratulations to you all.”
Quotes attributable to Chief Executive of the Southern NSW Local Health District, Margaret Bennett
“Our staff bring warmth, skill and a deep sense of responsibility to their work. These awards are just one way we can celebrate the passion they bring to our services every day.
“We’re incredibly proud of our staff. Their creativity, collaboration and care are shaping better health outcomes for our communities.
“I’m constantly inspired by the calibre of people we have working across Southern NSW Local Health District. Their work often goes unseen, but it never goes unnoticed. Thank you for everything you do.”
2025 Award Winners
Individual Awards
Dr Allan Hawke AC Award for Outstanding Leadership
Winner: Alice McKellar, District Director of Pharmacy
Location: Goulburn
Care and Kindness Award
Winner: Clare Calo, Physiotherapist
Location: Queanbeyan
Commitment to Service Award
Winner: Victoria Holland, Associate Director People Services
Location: Queanbeyan
Collaborative Staff Member of the Year
Winner: Hayley Lewis, Safe Start Coordinator
Location: Bega Valley
Corporate Support Staff Member of the Year
Winner: Tracy Ryan, Manager Workforce Systems and Analytics
Location: Goulburn
Volunteer of the Year
Winner: Darian Jirrup-Jirrup McLeod, Palliative Care Volunteer Service
Location: Eurobodalla
Emerging Leader Award
Winner: Fauve D'Souza, Senior Eating Disorder Clinician
Location: Queanbeyan
Elevate Award
Winner: Emily Guy, A/Manager Community Health and Integrated Care, Inland Network
Location: Queanbeyan
Team Awards
Board Chair Award
Winner: Research Office
Location: District-wide
Chief Executive’s Award (Joint winners)
Winner: Nurse Unit Manager / Maternity Unit Manager Pathways 2024
Location: District-wide
Winner: DeliverEASE - Procurement Clinical Product Team
Location: District-wide
Transforming Patient Experience Award
Winner: SmartChain Traceability - Procurement Clinical Product Team
Location: District-wide
Closing the Gap Award
Winner: Physiotherapy, Coastal Network
Location: Eurobodalla and Bega Valley
Patient Safety Award
Winner: Queanbeyan Hospital in the Home (HITH)
Location: Queanbeyan
Excellence in the Provision of Mental Health Services
Winner: Mental Health Acute Access
Location: District-wide
Excellence in Multicultural Healthcare Award
Winner: Trauma Informed Care Overarching Project
Location: District-wide
People and Culture Award
Winner: Trauma Informed Paediatric Assessment Notes
Location: Cooma and Queanbeyan
Keeping People Healthy
Winner: Modernising Rural Healthcare: Virtual Antimicrobial Stewardship Rounding in Action
Location: District-wide
Delivering Integrated Care Award
Winner: LinkMyCare - COPD
Location: Inland Network
Health Research and Digital Innovation Award
Winner: Virtual Swallow Assessment Project
Location: Cooma and Queanbeyan
ACI Rural Innovation Award
Winner: Modernising Rural Healthcare: Virtual Antimicrobial Stewardship Rounding in Action
Location: District-wide