Media release: Rural doctors awarded for more than 800 years of combined service to country New South Wales

Twenty four outstanding GPs have been honoured for more than 800 years of combined service to country New South Wales communities.

The NSW Rural Doctors Network (RDN) presented awards to 14 of these doctors at the organisation’s 2017 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 dedicated doctors make an outstanding contribution to rural communities by providing ongoing, high quality health care.”

Doctors present at the Rural GPs Conference dinner included:

- Dr Virginia Wrice for 35 years of service to Gundagai

- Dr Paul Mara for 35 years of service to Gundagai

- Dr Robyn Yabsley for 35 years of service to Murwillumbah

- Dr John Rogers for 35½ years of service to Muswellbrook

- Dr Patrick Giltrap for 36 years of service to Cooma, Gilgandra and Gulargambone

- Dr Francis Antonio for 36 years of service to Bomaderry

- Dr Ian Tait for 36 years of service to Milton and Ulladulla

- Dr Peter Bowles for 36 years of service to Gloucester and Mullumbimby

- Dr Cathy Marshall for 36½ years of service to Corowa and Bathurst

- Dr Geof Marshall for 36½ years of service to Corowa and Bathurst

- Dr John Moran for 38 years of service to Murwillumbah

- Dr Don Bourquin for 41 years of service to Singleton, Tullamore, Anna Bay and Shoal Bay

- Dr Phillip Knowles for 42 years of service to Moss Vale, Bundanoon and Wagga Wagga

Mr Colbran said that the awards recognise the commitment of these GPs to their rural communities and showcase the high quality of rural health service they provide.

“It is a privilege to honour the hard work of these doctors. Their communities should be exceptionally proud of the contribution each has made to the wellbeing of people living in rural NSW.”

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.