Rural GPs honoured for long service to country NSW

Each year RDN recognises rural GPs who have achieved 35+ years’ service to remote, rural and regional communities in NSW. 

This year, five outstanding GPs were honoured with a 2023 Rural Medical Service Award, with two of the doctors making the trip to the Crowne Plaza Coogee for the award presentation held at the Rural GPs Conference gala dinner as part of Rural Health Month.

 
This year's 2023 RMSA recipients were: 

• Dr Robert Campbell – for service to the township of Deniliquin 

• Dr Alan Cotterill – for service to the community of Wagga Wagga 

• Dr Cameron Henderson OAM – for service to the communities of Barraba and Manilla 

• Dr Isobel Lang – for service to the communities of Cessnock, Branxton and Scone 

• Dr Ann Parker OAM – for service to the community of Bowral 

Dr Robert Campbell – for service to the township of Deniliquin 

Dr Robert Campbell works full time at Deniliquin Clinic providing the full range of GP services and contributing to the Deniliquin Hospital Emergency Department roster. He also runs an out-reach GP service to Mathoura and attends both Deniliquin Nursing Homes weekly. 

Along with his colleagues, Dr Campbell has supported the introduction of the new single employer model through Murrumbidgee Rural Generalist Pathway during its infancy, as well as the cross-border Mallee Clinical Medical School through CSU, which has now extended to not only training doctors, but nurses and paramedics in primary care. 

Dr Campbell is excited by the next generation of rural GPs and will continue to advocate for and promote the wonderful lifestyle and career opportunities it provides. 

Congratulations and thank you Dr Robert Campbell. 

Dr Alan Cotterill – for service to the community of Wagga Wagga 

Dr Alan Cotterill attained his MBBS in 1971 from the University of NSW. Working as a GP full time in Wagga Wagga from 1973 – 1984, Dr Cotterill established the Kooringal Road Surgery in 1978. From 1984 – 1990, Dr Cotterill worked as Community Physician with Community Health Services and Medical Director of the Rehabilitation Unit at Wagga Base Hospital. 

Dr Cotterill returned to General Practice at Kooringal Road Surgery (renamed KRS Health) from 1990 – 1997, whilst maintaining VMO appointments at Wagga Base Hospital. In addition, he was appointed Senior Medical Officer at Gissing House Psychiatric Unit. From 1997 – 2007, Dr Cotterill conducted clinics in Wagga and Griffith for patients with severe schizophrenia. Dr Cotterill also served as VMO to Coolamon and District Hospital between 1998 – 2001 and did sessional work as a GP at Riverina Medical and Dental Aboriginal Corporation. 

Dr Cotterill first ‘retired’ in 2012, but re-registered in August 2019 due to a shortage of experienced GPs in Wagga, returning to General Practice at KRS Health, before finally retiring for good in November 2022. 

Congratulations and thank you Dr Alan Cotterill. 

Dr Cameron Henderson OAM – for service to the communities of Barraba and Manilla 

Dr Henderson graduated from the University of Sydney in 1972, and served residencies at Newcastle, Paramatta and Dubbo hospitals. After 6 months as a rural and remote locum, he began work as a GP, anesthetist and obstetrician in Barraba and Manilla. He has been a Visiting Medical Officer at Manilla Hospital for 40 years. Since 1981, Dr Henderson has been the Principal of the Rural Medical Clinic in Manilla and is also on call for Barraba patients during GP absences. 

In 2014 he received the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) for service to medicine as a General Practitioner. 

Congratulations and thank you, Dr Cameron Henderson. 

Dr Isobel Lang – for service to the communities of Cessnock, Branxton and Scone

Dr Isobel Lang moved to Scone as a locum in 2010 and enjoyed the interesting work and good company so much she stayed. Isobel is trained as a GP specialising in Obstetrics and emergency medicine. 

Congratulations and thank you Dr Isobel Lang. 

Dr Ann Parker OAM – for service to the community of Bowral 

Dr Parker co-founded Bowral’s Walker Street General Practice in 1992 and was awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia in the 2020 Queen’s birthday honours list for service to medicine and the community. 

Over a 30-year period, Dr Parker has served as Visiting Medical Officer at both Bowral and District Hospital and Southern Highlands Private Hospital, Clinical Senior Lecturer and coordinator for the undergraduate medical course at Wollongong University and roles including chair and deputy chair of the Southern Highlands Division of General Practice. 

In addition to her service to the community of Bowral, Dr Parker is involved with the Remote Health Corps, spending up to 16 weeks per year in remote areas of the Northern Territory. 

Congratulations and thank you Dr Ann Parker.