Media release: Rural doctors awarded for 700 years of combined service to country communities

Twenty outstanding GPs have been honoured for more than 700 years of combined service to country New South Wales communities.

The NSW Rural Doctors Network (RDN) presented awards to 12 of these doctors at the organisation’s 2016 Rural Medical Service Awards during the annual Rural GPs Conference dinner on the weekend.

The awards recognise GPs who have spent the past 35-plus years providing health services to the people of rural, regional and remote NSW.

RDN CEO Richard Colbran said, “These doctors make an enormous contribution to rural communities by providing high quality health service and continuity of care.”

Doctors present at the Rural GPs Conference dinner included:

- Dr Geoff White for 35 years of service to Manilla

- Dr Les Woollard for 35 years of service to Moree

- Dr Peter Davidson for 35 years of service to Cowra

- Dr Jurriaan Beek for 35 years of service to Casino

- Dr David Sanders for 35½ years of service to Singleton

- Dr Douglas Miller for 36 years of service to Mullumbimby and Brunswick Heads

- Dr Emery Kertesz for 35 years of service to Nelson Bay

- Dr Robin Mathews for 36 years of service to Maclean

- Dr Grahame Deane for 36 years of service to West Wyalong, Gunnedah and Lake Cathie

- Dr John Kramer for 36 years of service to Woolgoolga

- Dr Prue Greenwell for 37½ years of service to Cowra

- Dr Ian Spencer for 42 years of service to Wellington

Mr Colbran said that the awards showcase the high quality of rural health service provided by these doctors to their rural and regional communities.

“These awards provide a unique opportunity for rural people to acknowledge the difference that doctors make to the health and well-being of their communities.”

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

Download the media release.