Meet the nominees for the 2026 Gippsland Primary Health Awards

Breakfast Bites with the Gippsland Regional Training Hub

Developed by Monash Rural Health’s Gippsland Regional Training Hub, Breakfast Bites brings general practitioners, hospital doctors, registrars and medical students together for early-morning networking and clinical discussion. The initiative creates opportunities to share knowledge, build professional relationships and strengthen connections between general practice, hospitals and the future medical workforce.

Its informal setting gives participants space to discuss local challenges and learn from colleagues outside their usual workplace. It also introduces students and early-career doctors to collaborative practice and the professional networks supporting rural medicine.

Community Led Integrated Health Care – Chronic Disease Management Program, Latrobe Community Health Service, Latrobe Leisure, Gippsland Regional Aquatic Centre

This Latrobe Community Health Service program connects health care with community leisure settings. Care coordinators work with participants, leisure centre staff and health professionals to support assessment, personalised care planning and access to exercise and wellbeing activities. The program supports people with chronic conditions and older adults.

By bringing services into familiar community locations, the model creates opportunities to identify unmet needs and connect people with appropriate support. Shared planning links clinical care with practical activities that help participants work towards their health and wellbeing goals.

Community Led Integrated Health Care – Paediatrics, Latrobe Community Health Service, Berry Street Yooralla

A partnership between Latrobe Community Health Service and Berry Street/Yooralla, this program connects health, wellbeing and community services around children and families in Latrobe City. Dedicated care coordinators support assessments, shared care plans and access to multiple services, helping families navigate care around their priorities.

Where possible, appointments are coordinated in one location and on the same day to reduce the practical burden on families. The approach brings providers together around shared goals while helping families build confidence in understanding and managing their children’s health needs.

Gippsland Local Health Service Network

The Gippsland Local Health Service Network’s Safer Together Program connects eight regional health services through shared learning and quality improvement. It brings clinicians, consumers and improvement teams together to exchange knowledge, develop capability and address common care and safety challenges while retaining local responsibility for implementation.

Activities include improvement education, coaching, communities of practice and regional clinical collaboration. By making local expertise and resources available across organisational boundaries, the program helps services learn from one another and build on approaches developed elsewhere in Gippsland.

Gippsland Lung Nodule Service, Latrobe Regional Health

Based at Latrobe Regional Health, the Gippsland Lung Nodule Service coordinates assessment and investigation for people with lung nodules, including referrals from the National Lung Cancer Screening Program. The service links primary care, specialist teams and regional providers, with nursing support helping patients navigate appointments, investigations and follow-up.

Clinical nurse coordinators provide information and a point of contact during the assessment process. The model brings specialist review, diagnostic services and multidisciplinary discussion into a connected regional pathway, with appointments coordinated where possible to reduce additional travel for patients.

Positive Ageing Service, South Gippsland Hospital

The Positive Ageing Service at South Gippsland Hospital helps older people connect with health, aged care and community support. A positive ageing advocate works with each person to identify goals, navigate services and coordinate care. Physiotherapy assessment, exercise activities and social connection form part of its early intervention approach.

The service also helps people understand aged care pathways and access relevant health professionals and community activities. Support can include home visits when travel is a barrier, with care organised around the person’s circumstances and preferences.

The Oral Anticancer Care Clinic, West Gippsland Health Group

The Oral Anticancer Care Clinic supports Gippsland patients taking oral anticancer medicines through nurse-led education, symptom monitoring and coordinated care. Regional referral pathways and local clinics help people access support closer to home, while nurses work closely with oncology teams, general practitioners and other health professionals to coordinate care and share information.

Developed through collaboration between health services, cancer care professionals, researchers and people with lived experience, the service reflects the practical needs of patients and carers managing treatment at home. Ongoing advice, coordinated referrals and accessible support help people feel more informed and connected throughout their treatment journey.

Errinundra to Snowy Wellbeing Spaces (E2S), Orbost Regional Health

Errinundra to Snowy Wellbeing Spaces brings nurse-led care to the remote communities of Tubbut, Bendoc and Goongerah. Supported by Orbost Regional Health, the model combines community nursing, assistance with telehealth appointments, visiting allied health services and care coordination, helping residents access support closer to where they live.

A nurse care coordinator attends the wellbeing spaces regularly, with home visits available for residents who cannot travel. Developed with community input, the model responds to the distance and transport challenges people face when seeking health care in far East Gippsland.

Gamblers Help – Gippsland, Latrobe Community Health Service

Delivered by Latrobe Community Health Service, Gamblers Help – Gippsland supports people affected by their own or someone else’s gambling. The program combines therapeutic and financial counselling with community education, school engagement and venue support. Partnerships with local organisations help build awareness of gambling harm and connect people with assistance.

The team works across health, education and community settings to help people recognise harm and understand the support available. Its approach combines individual assistance with prevention and early intervention, recognising the effects gambling can have on families and broader communities.

Health on Wheels, Gippsland Lakes Complete Health

Gippsland Lakes Complete Health’s Health on Wheels service takes health and homelessness support into communities across East Gippsland and Wellington. A registered nurse and homelessness support worker provide outreach, health checks, care coordination and referrals, connecting people experiencing or at risk of homelessness with health, housing and other support.

The team works from a mobile van and trusted community locations including neighbourhood houses and drop-in services. Consistent outreach and relationship building help people engage with care at their own pace, with support addressing both immediate concerns and longer-term needs.

Olivia’s Place Family Support Program

Olivia’s Place Family Support Program supports families across Gippsland during pregnancy and early parenthood. It provides emotional, practical and material assistance, with workers helping families identify their priorities and connect with health and community services. The program responds to challenges including financial pressure, isolation and mental health concerns.

Family support workers take time to understand each family’s circumstances and goals, providing a welcoming place to seek assistance. Support may include parenting guidance, essential items and referrals, helping families navigate the changes and challenges that can accompany welcoming a baby.

Rail Trail Medical

Rail Trail Medical was established in South Gippsland in 2026 to help meet a local need for accessible, ongoing primary health care. Through general practice and nursing services, the team has focused on rebuilding continuity of care by developing strong relationships with patients, families and local health providers, while supporting chronic disease management, preventive health care and coordinated referrals.

The nomination recognises the collective efforts of doctors, nurses, reception and administration staff in building a sustainable local service from the ground up. Through clinical governance, quality improvement and a patient-centred approach, the practice aims to provide a consistent source of care where people feel known, supported and connected to the services they need.

Tammy-Lee Chatwin and the Aboriginal Primary Health & Wellbeing Team, Gippsland and East Gippsland Aboriginal Co-operative

This nomination recognises Tammy-Lee Chatwin and the Aboriginal Primary Health & Wellbeing Team at Gippsland and East Gippsland Aboriginal Co-operative for their community-led approach to care. Their work spans medical, dental, aged care and social and emotional wellbeing services, with a focus on cultural safety, connected support and services shaped around Aboriginal community needs.

The team’s approach recognises the connections between health, culture, family and wider life circumstances. Tammy-Lee’s leadership supports clinical governance, workforce development and collaboration across services, with community voice and Aboriginal self-determination central to how care is planned and delivered.

The Oral Anticancer Care Clinic, West Gippsland Health Group

The Oral Anticancer Care Clinic supports Gippsland patients taking oral anticancer medicines through nurse-led education, symptom monitoring and coordinated care. Regional referral pathways and local clinics help people access support closer to home, while nurses work closely with oncology teams, general practitioners and other health professionals to coordinate care and share information.

Developed through collaboration between health services, cancer care professionals, researchers and people with lived experience, the service reflects the practical needs of patients and carers managing treatment at home. Ongoing advice, coordinated referrals and accessible support help people feel more informed and connected throughout their treatment journey.

Warragul Community Aged Care

Warragul Community Aged Care’s nominated approach combines residential care management with nurse practitioner expertise. The model brings clinical assessment and treatment into the residential setting, supported by collaboration with general practitioners, pharmacists and allied health providers. It aims to provide timely care for residents with increasingly complex health needs.

The combined role also provides clinical leadership and support for staff, helping the team identify and respond to changes in residents’ health. The nomination highlights an approach to expanding care capacity while keeping older people connected to local services and family.

Wellways Community Responders – Support After Suicide, Wellways Australia

This nomination recognises Wellways’ work with community volunteers to strengthen local responses to suicide-related distress and bereavement. Through training, community connections and support in familiar settings, the approach helps sporting clubs, workplaces and other groups hold safe conversations and connect people with appropriate support.

People with lived and living experience contribute to the model, bringing understanding of the effects of suicide on individuals and communities. The work builds local knowledge and confidence while providing a compassionate presence for groups experiencing grief or distress.

Breed Street Clinic – Medical Fourth Group

Breed Street Clinic provides a multidisciplinary approach to primary care, bringing together general practice, nursing and onsite specialist services. Its nominated work includes expanding access to consultations, preventive care and chronic disease management, alongside outreach through a local neighbourhood house to connect with people who face barriers to accessing care.

Face-to-face, telephone and video appointments form part of its approach, with capacity for urgent presentations and a growing range of services designed around local health needs.

Dr Sarah Christian, Heyfield Medical

Dr Sarah Christian’s nomination recognises her contribution to accessible rural general practice and workforce development. As a practice owner, she supports junior doctors and registrars while maintaining a focus on continuity, person-centred care and reducing financial barriers for the Heyfield community.

Her work combines caring for patients today with investing in the next generation of rural clinicians. By providing opportunities to learn and practise locally, she contributes to the capability of the rural health workforce and the ongoing availability of community-based care.

Family Domestic Sexual Violence Outreach Healthcare Program, Gippsland Lakes Complete Health

Delivered by Gippsland Lakes Complete Health, this program helps victim-survivors of family, domestic and sexual violence access health care as part of their recovery. Care coordinators work alongside individuals, family violence practitioners and health services to connect people with primary care, mental health support, allied health and other services through flexible, trauma-informed outreach.

The program recognises that recovery can involve complex health and practical needs. Support is shaped around each person’s circumstances and readiness to engage, helping them navigate services without having to manage the process alone.

Melaleuca Aged Care

Melaleuca Aged Care is a community-owned, not-for-profit aged care provider in Cowes. Its nomination focuses on strengthening resident care through clinical governance, workforce development and continuous improvement. The work includes medication safety, infection prevention, falls prevention and involving residents and families in decisions about care.

With longstanding connections to Phillip Island, Melaleuca supports older people to remain close to family, friends and community. Its approach brings together clinical care, individual preferences and ongoing review of how services can better meet residents’ needs.

Nurse Next Door Gippsland

Nurse Next Door Gippsland provides nursing, personal care, practical assistance and companionship in people’s homes across Latrobe City, Wellington and East Gippsland. Its nominated approach centres on individual goals and preferences, with care coordination and partnerships supporting continuity between hospital, community services and everyday life at home.

Care plans are developed with clients and, where appropriate, families and carers. The service adapts support as needs change, helping people maintain independence, familiar routines and connections to the communities in which they live.

Rail Trail Medical

Rail Trail Medical was established in South Gippsland in 2026 to help meet a local need for accessible, ongoing primary health care. Through general practice and nursing services, the team has focused on rebuilding continuity of care by developing strong relationships with patients, families and local health providers, while supporting chronic disease management, preventive health care and coordinated referrals.

The nomination recognises the collective efforts of doctors, nurses, reception and administration staff in building a sustainable local service from the ground up. Through clinical governance, quality improvement and a patient-centred approach, the practice aims to provide a consistent source of care where people feel known, supported and connected to the services they need.

Support After Suicide Program, Wellways Australia

The Support After Suicide Program, delivered by Wellways Australia, supports people, families and communities following a death by suicide. The service combines grief and loss counselling, lived experience peer support and help navigating services. Its approach centres on individual choice, with support tailored to each person’s needs and preferences.

Recognising that grief is different for everyone, the program offers flexibility in the type and level of support people receive. Connections with other services help participants access additional assistance when needs extend beyond the program.

The Oral Anticancer Care Clinic, West Gippsland Health Group

The Oral Anticancer Care Clinic provides nurse-led education, symptom monitoring and supportive care for people taking oral anticancer medicines at home. Working alongside oncology teams and general practitioners, the service helps patients and carers understand treatment, manage concerns and connect with additional support.

Its approach recognises that treatment at home still requires accessible advice and regular clinical support. Consultations consider people’s physical, emotional and practical needs, while patient resources help families keep track of medicines, symptoms and appointments.

Yallambee Traralgon Village for the Aged

Yallambee’s nomination recognises its work strengthening residential aged care through person-centred practice, clinical governance and workforce development. Resident and family involvement, quality monitoring and partnerships with health professionals inform an ongoing program of improvement focused on older people’s safety, wellbeing and connection to community.

The organisation supports people with a range of needs including complex health conditions and dementia. Its approach combines staff capability and care systems with attention to each resident’s preferences, goals and life experiences.

Non-Dispensing Community Pharmacist Program, Clare Pilkington, Latrobe Community Health Service

Clare Pilkington’s non-dispensing pharmacist role at Latrobe Community Health Service brings medication expertise into a multidisciplinary community health team. Through medication reviews, education and care coordination, the model helps identify practical barriers to medicine use and supports people managing chronic conditions and complex medication needs.

Home-based assessments help reveal how medicines are being used in everyday life. Working with patients and other health professionals, the role connects prescribing decisions with practical support, helping people understand their medicines and address difficulties managing treatment.

Exercise Medicine (Oncology) Service, Latrobe Regional Health

Latrobe Regional Health’s Exercise Medicine (Oncology) Service integrates specialist exercise assessment and individualised programs into cancer care. Established by exercise physiologist Rahchell Cornish, the service supports people before, during and after treatment, with delivery options and regional connections designed to support continuity of exercise care.

Programs take account of diagnosis, treatment, symptoms, physical capacity and individual goals. The service works alongside existing rehabilitation and community programs, helping translate exercise recommendations into practical support within the regional cancer care pathway.

Latrobe Sexual and Reproductive Health Hub, Latrobe Community Health Service

The Latrobe Sexual and Reproductive Health Hub at Latrobe Community Health Service is nominated for its work making sexual and reproductive health care more timely, accessible and responsive to individual needs. The team provides compassionate care and supports informed decisions, recognising that stigma and practical barriers can make it difficult for people to seek help.