Regional nurses and midwives recognised for innovative healthcare

The awards on May 16 celebrated Australia's nurses, midwives, nurse educators, researchers and personal care workers.

This year's winners reflect the work regional and rural nurses and midwives play in ensuring healthcare is available across the country.

$30,000 in prize money will be split among the winners.

Cathy Halmarick, a nurse and midwife at Peninsula Health in Frankston, Victoria was awarded Nurse of the Year for her work in sexual and reproductive health.

In 2017 Ms Halmarick helped establish the Sexual and Reproductive Health Hub in Southeastern Victoria which allowed patients to access sexual and reproductive healthcare during the COVID-19 lockdowns.

"Sexual and reproductive health is an area of an individual's health that is often overlooked for various reasons, including time and financial constraints, lack of knowledge, and clinic availability," Ms Halmarick said.

Last year, after Ms Halmarick recognised that women were suffering when having an intra-uterine device removed or inserted, Peninsula Health began offering the "green whistle", an inhalable pain-reliever used by paramedics.

Women are typically advised to take over-the-counter pain relief for what could be an extremely painful procedure.

Ms Harrick will use the prize money to further her studies in pain management during gynaecological procedures as well as purchasing a new ultrasound machine for Peninsula Health.

Skye Stewart has been recognised as Midwife of the Year for creating the first stillbirth support guide for Aboriginal families.

Ms Stewart, who is from Woomelang in Victoria, works for Red Nose Australia.

Ms Stewart spent 20 months travelling to Aboriginal communities across the country to research her guide.

"My cultural role and responsibility as an Aboriginal midwife is to do what I can to ensure that Aboriginal mothers and their babies stay safe, alive, well, and together," Ms Stewart said.

"To be recognised with this award means I've paid attention to where it matters, and I am doing what I am supposed to be doing."

Ms Stewart plans to use the prize money to create more resources for Aboriginal families who have suffered a stillbirth, including a children's book.

The Health Communities Foundation Australia took home the Outstanding Organisation award for 2024.

The Foundation has been helping rural, remote and Aboriginal communities maintain their health services for over 20 years.

The Foundation also established the Dhirri-li Education for Work Centre which provides training for entry-level health and social care jobs to Aboriginal people.

"Winning such an award acknowledges our team's hard work. It's an amazing recognition of our nursing team's dedication, skills, and contributions to rural healthcare," said Cassie Talbot, Manager of Healthy Minds, Healthy Communities, and The National Rural & Remote Suicide Prevention Program.

"They're a nursing team I am proud to nurse alongside. This recognition highlights the critical roles that nurses and midwives play in society, especially in our rural and remote communities."

The prize money will go towards ensuring the Foundation's nursing team is well-trained and well-resourced.