The extraordinary efforts of health professionals and organisations serving remote and rural communities throughout Australia – including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities – have been celebrated as the 10 winners of Rural Health Pro’s 2025 ‘National Rural and Remote Health Awards’ were announced at the National Press Club in Canberra.

National Rural Health Commissioner, Professor Jenny May AM, joined with more than 180 guests to honour the winners and celebrate the 30 finalists across 10 award categories and the contribution, innovation and dedication they make to the health of their local communities.

“It is an honour to be here to recognise the important work being done to build high quality health access for remote and rural Australians and celebrate the rural, remote and First Nations health professionals and organisations on a national stage. Thank you for your work and your commitment. Thank you for being people that communities can trust and know will carry the message of real access, culturally safe and connected care,” Professor May said.

This year’s National Rural and Remote Health Awards attracted a record number of nominees hailing from far and wide across the nation from the Torres Strait to Tasmania and from Bega to Broome via the Red Heart. Winners included individuals and organisations leading culturally responsive, community-driven initiatives or programs that change lives for the better, many born out of lived experience or in response to an identified gap or need.

“Congratulations to the 2025 winners of Rural Health Pro’s National Rural and Remote Health Awards, who embody the best characteristics of service, compassion and innovation and serve as an inspiration for the future rural workforce in Australia. The Awards are a really wonderful gathering of the rural and remote health community, and that’s important because rural practice can feel isolating and it’s vital to meet with people who are facing similar challenges and learn from each other and support each other,” Rural Health Pro Manager, Jessica Rostas.

“From the most remote corners of Australia to the national stage in Canberra, the Awards offer an opportunity to shine a spotlight on the inspiring stories of our rural health professionals and their innovation, dedication and passion for community,” Jessica said.

View the full list of winners here

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Born in Cairns (Far North Queensland – Australia) I am the youngest and the only boy of a family of five. My first serious job was as a Salesperson, the announcer, then Production Manager for 4AM. I spent in excess of ten years running my own successful entertainment agency before moving to Melbourne (Victoria – Australia) where I currently live, work and play. A week after arriving I joined the sales team at JOY 94.9fm – what was to be Australia’s first and only dedicated gay and lesbian radio station. I was clearly destined to be self-employed as fate would have it. Q Magazine was born in March 2004 and as they so rightly say ‘the rest is history’.

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