Media release: Rural doctors awarded for outstanding service to country NSW

Rural doctors awarded for outstanding service to country NSW Fourteen outstanding GPs have been honoured for more than 300 years of combined service to rural New South Wales communities.

The NSW Rural Doctors Network (RDN) presented its prestigious 2018 Rural Medical Service Award during its annual conference at the Crowne Plaza Coogee Beach on the weekend.

The awards recognise GPs who have spent the past 35 years or more providing health services to the people of remote, rural and regional NSW. RDN CEO Richard Colbran said, “It is a privilege to honour these dedicated doctors who have all made an outstanding contribution to rural communities by providing ongoing, high quality health care.”

Eight doctors were present at the Rural GPs Conference dinner:

• Dr Anil Thakur for 35 years of service to Maclean
• Dr Chris McKenzie for 35 years of service to Ballina
• Dr Ian Falson for 38 years of service to Ballina
• Dr Richard Abbott for 35 years of service to Scone
• Dr Delma Mullins for 35 years of service to Muswellbrook
• Dr Mark Rikard-Bell for 36 years of service to Muswellbrook
• Dr Neroli Lawrence for 37 years of service to South Grafton
• Dr Peter Lee for 40 years of service to Singleton

“It is rare for rural doctors to be formally recognised for the outstanding contributions they make to their communities, and these fantastic award recipients were humbled to be acknowledged for their important work,” Mr Colbran said.

“The awards recognise the commitment of these GPs to their rural communities.”

The dinner presentation was attended by more than 200 guests, representing GPs from across remote, rural and regional NSW, the award recipients and their families. 

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