Sixteen GPs honoured for 35+ years of long service to country NSW

2024 recipients of the RDN Rural Medical Service Awards 

Each year RDN recognises rural GPs who have achieved 35+ years’ service to remote, rural and regional communities in NSW. This year, sixteen outstanding GPs were honoured with a 2024 Rural Medical Service Award. Thirteen of those recipients made the trip to the Manly Pacific Hotel in Sydney for the award presentation held at the Rural GPs Conference gala dinner as part of Rural Health Month.

The presentation of the Awards at the gala dinner was once again an emotional highlight of the Rural GPs Conference and an important moment of recognition, honouring GPs who have spent the past 35 years or more caring for bush and coastal communities in New South Wales. Few things are valued more highly by country communities than the peace of mind that comes with having a “local doctor” as part of the fabric of their community. On behalf of the rural health community, RDN thanks this year's awardees for their outstanding dedication and service.

A warm congratulations to the following recipients:

Dr Adrian Allen – For service to the township of Walcha

Dr Adrian Allen graduated from Sydney University in 1984 and established the Walcha General Practice Clinic in 1989. He has special interest and skills in management of trauma, obstetrics, paediatrics, and emergency medicine. Dr Allen is a founding member of the Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine and, in 2019, received a Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) for his service to medicine and the community of Walcha, NSW. He has been a General Practitioner since 1988 and was a Visiting Medical Officer to the Walcha region between 1988 and 2017. He has significantly contributed to the development of care facilities within the region, assisting with the setup of the Walcha Multipurpose Service and the Aspley Riverview Hostel.

Dr Peter Brown – For the service township of Muswellbrook

Dr Peter Brown graduated from the University of Sydney in 1983 and has been with Brook Medical Centre in Muswellbrook in NSW since 1989. He is widely experienced in all aspects of general practice and his special interests include paediatrics, men’s health, women’s health, immunisations, advice, travel, general medicine, minor surgery, antenatal care, palliative care, geriatrics and chronic disease management. He is a Visiting Medical Officer at Muswellbrook District Hospital and participates in the Emergency Roster.

Dr Diana Coote – For service to the township of Warialda

After commencing her career in Queensland, Dr Diana Coote has served 35 years as a General Practitioner in Warialda, NSW. She has completed a Fertility Control course with the Australian Family Planning Association and regularly attends the Rural Health Continuing Education programs. In addition to comprehensive general practice care she has special interests in obstetric care, paediatrics, women’s health interests and counselling.

Dr Tony Egan – For service to the township of Mudgee

Dr Tony Egan started working at Mudgee Medical Centre and Mudgee Hospital in 1989. He continues to work at Mudgee Medical Centre and cares for inpatients in Mudgee Hospital. Dr Egan has provided over 35 years of dedicated service to the Mudgee community and is still working at aged 67.

Dr Clement Gordon – For service to the township of Warialda

Dr Clement Gordon has had extensive hospital and general practice experience before commencing as a GP in Warialda in 1989. His postgraduate qualifications before moving to Warialda include a Diploma of the Royal Australian College of Obstetrics and Gynaecologists, Diploma of Anaesthetics (United Kingdom) and Fellow of the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners and has also completed Postgraduate Diplomas in Family Medicine and Rural Health. Since arriving in Warialda, his commitment to general practice and continuing medical education has continued.

Dr Marc Heyning – For service to the township of Brunswick Heads

Dr Marc Heyning commenced work at Brunswick Heads Medical Centre in 1988 and has been the principal GP there for 36 years. In 2023, Dr Heyning received a Distinguished Service Award from the Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine. He now continues to provide service to the community as one of the few doctors in the Northern Rivers who provides counselling and medical advice for Voluntary Assisted Dying.

Dr David Howe – For service to the township of Orange

Dr David Howe has worked extensively in rural areas including as an intern and Resident Medical Officer (RMO) at Wollongong Hospital, RMO at Albury Base Hospital, RMO and Registrar Orange Base Hospital, Visiting Medical Officer at Orange Base Hospital, Dudley Private Hospital and Orange Health Service 1984 until present and is a Sexual Assault Service Forensic Examiner. Dr Howe is also a Lecturer for Sydney University Rural School of Medicine and has been a Doctor for Camp Quality since 1993. In 2015, Dr Howe received a Medal of the Order of Australia.

Dr Ian Kettle – For service to the township of Murwillumbah

Dr Ian Kettle is the Principal /Associate GP at Wollumbin St Medical Centre where he has been from 1987 to present.

Dr Chris Matthews – For service to the townships of Cessnock, Kurri Kurri and Bingara 

Dr Chris Mathews has practiced as a GP in rural areas since 1973 including in Cessnock, Kurri Kurri and Bingara in NSW. Dr Mathews has also worked across Australia including as a coordinator of rural training in Adelaide from 1993 to 1995. Dr Mathews is also a Councillor for the Gwydir Shire Council.

A/Prof John McAlpine – For service to the townships of Inverell, Tumut and Gerringong 

Associate Professor John McAlpine completed his GP training in Inverell in 1984. He went on to work at the Fitzroy Street Medical Practice in Tumut between 1988 and 2000 and Gerringong Family Medical Practice from 2001 to 2022.

Dr Robert Morton – For service to the township of Pambula

Dr Robert Morton studied medicine at Sydney University and graduated in 1983. Between 1983 and 1987 Dr Morton gained training and experience in General Medicine, Obstetrics, Paediatrics and Anaesthetics in the hospitals around Newcastle. After doing locum general practice work, Dr Morton and his family settled in Pambula in 1988. Dr Morton has worked as a Visiting Medical Officer at Pambula Hospital since 1988, working in Obstetrics, Anaesthetics, Emergency Department, Paediatrics and General Inpatient Care.

Dr Susan Paul – For service to the townships of Moree, Tenterfield, Gunnedah and Armidale

Dr Susan Paul is an experienced rural generalist with previous extensive experience as a GP Obstetrician. Dr Paul has worked in the townships of Moree, Tenterfield, Gunnedah, Norfolk Island, Armidale in NSW and is now retired.

Dr Peter Roberts – For service to the township of Mudgee

Dr Peter Roberts started working at Mudgee Medical Centre and Mudgee Hospital in 1988 and retired in 2024 as a rural GP Obstetrician. Dr Roberts has delivered over 2,000 babies in Mudgee and has been described as a ‘true rural generalist’.

Dr Douglas Rutherford – For service to the township of Tamworth

Dr Douglas Rutherford commenced working in Tamworth, NSW in 1986, initially at Marius Street Practice, and continuing as the practice moved to Barton Lane, where he continues to practice at Tallowwood Health as a General Practitioner. Dr Rutherford’s interests in the medical field include minor surgery, urology and palliative care.

Dr Ivan Wilden-Constantin – For service to the townships of Goulburn and Taralga 

Dr Ivan Wilden-Constantin started work in Goulburn in 1985 and was a Visiting Medical Officer at Goulburn Base Hospital, Kenmore Hospital and St John of God Hospital. Dr Wilden-Constantin serviced Taralga and surrounding districts from 1987 -1997. The Argyle Medical Centre was founded by Dr Wilden-Constantin in response to the changes occurring in clinical approaches to primary health care matters, and to make specialist services more accessible to the people of Goulburn and surrounding districts.

Dr David Young – For service to the townships of Tenterfield, Gunnedah and Armidale

Dr David Young is an experienced General Practitioner having worked the majority of his clinical time in rural and remote settings including, Tenterfield, Gunnedah, Norfolk Island, Armidale and is now retired. Dr Young has been a GP supervisor in general practice and has supervised medical students in his practice as well as teaching online sessions to GPs within the Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine continuing professional education framework.

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