Gippsland PHN congratulates the region’s health professionals who were recognised for their outstanding contribution to rural health care at this year’s Victorian Rural Health Awards.
The annual awards are hosted by Rural Workforce Agency Victoria and celebrate the dedication, compassion and leadership of health professionals who go above and beyond to improve health and wellbeing in rural communities.
This year, Gippsland was strongly represented among the winners, finalists, nominees and Length of Service recipients, reflecting the depth of skill, commitment and care across our region’s health workforce.
Award winners
Outstanding Contribution to Rural Allied Health Award
Parivesh Kumar, Gippsland Lakes Complete Health, Lakes Entrance
Parivesh Kumar is a pain educator and physiotherapist at Gippsland Lakes Complete Health in Lakes Entrance, with 19 years’ experience supporting rural communities through compassionate care. Living and working in a small rural setting has given him a strong understanding of the challenges associated with limited access to health care services.
He is a passionate advocate for pain education, actively sharing knowledge through community engagement and professional development. Parivesh is also involved with Pain Revolution, where he mentors clinicians in delivering contemporary, best-practice pain care, and has worked extensively with the Aboriginal community at Lake Tyers Health and children’s services from 2007 to 2024.
Outstanding Contribution by a Rural Primary Care Nurse or Midwife Award
Anne Brewer, Bush Nurse Centre Manager, Buchan Bush Nursing Association
Anne is dedicated to delivering holistic, person-centred care with compassion, providing high-quality support both in the home and within the centre across all stages of life.
She actively fosters strong community connections and is a committed advocate for bush nursing and local communities, driven by a passion for improving access to essential health services across the region.
Length of Service Awards
As part of the awards, dedicated health professionals from across Gippsland were also recognised for their years of service and enduring commitment to rural health care. Gippsland PHN acknowledges their dedication and collective contribution to strengthening health care in our region.
- Ms Ann-Maree Payne, Stomal Therapy Central Gippsland Health, Sale
- Ms Anne Traill, Learning Services Team Central Gippsland Health, Sale
- Ms Bernadette Lord, Community Nursing Services Central Gippsland Health, Sale
- Ms Cheryl Goodwin, Operating Theatre Team Central Gippsland Health, Sale
- Ms Debbie Kardinaal, Maternal & Child Health Team Central Gippsland Health, Sale
- Ms Deidre Chivers, Central Gippsland Health, Sale
- Ms Felicidad Gonzales, Operating Theatre Team Central Gippsland Health, Sale
- Ms Jennifer Dennett, Critical Care Ward Central Gippsland Health, Sale
- Ms Kim Costin, Women’s & Children’s Ward Central Gippsland Health, Sale
- Ms Leeanne Falls, Central Gippsland Health, Sale
- Dr Lesley Chisholm, Leongatha Healthcare, Leongatha
- Ms Linda Glover, Nurse Bank Central Gippsland Health, Sale
- Dr Lloyd Waters, Clocktower Medical Centre, Sale
- Mr Maurice Fernando, Operating Theatre Team Central Gippsland Health, Sale
- Dr Miroslawa Pietrzak, Cieslak and Hillcrest Family Medicine, Traralgon
- Dr Peter Lewis, West Gippsland Healthcare Group, Warragul and Korumburra Medical Centre
- Dr Philip Worboys, Foster Medical Clinic, Foster
- Ms Robyn Grumley, Central Gippsland Health, Sale
- Ms Susan Butcher, Operating Theatre Team Central Gippsland Health, Sale
- Ms Susanna Gray, Nurse Bank Central Gippsland Health, Sale
- Ms Wendy Yarram, Renal Dialysis Unit Central Gippsland Health, Sale
Gippsland PHN congratulates all Gippsland winners, finalists, nominees and Length of Service recipients on this well-deserved recognition. Their commitment, leadership and long-standing service reflect the strength of Gippsland’s rural health workforce and the important role local health professionals play in achieving a measurably healthier Gippsland.
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