Orbost Regional Health (ORH) has been recognised for its outstanding leadership in community health, taking home the Courageous Partnerships Award at the 2025 Gippsland Primary Health Awards.
Held at Federation University, Churchill, on Wednesday November 19, the awards celebrated the region’s most innovative and dedicated primary healthcare organisations. Guest speaker Dr Derk Pol, Director of Cardiology at Latrobe Regional Health, announced this year’s winners — selected from a strong field of nominees across Gippsland.
ORH was honoured for its collaborative response to a rise in Q Fever cases in Far East Gippsland.
Identifying a growing local need, the health service partnered with GippsDairy and Sale Medical Centre to pioneer the region’s first Q Fever testing and vaccination clinics.
The initiative reduced travel barriers for rural residents, strengthened preventive health services, and demonstrated the power of local organisations working together to improve community outcomes.
Gippsland PHN chief executive officer Amanda Proposch said this year’s theme, Challenge to Courage, reflected the resilience and commitment shown by all winners.
“These awards celebrate those who turn obstacles into opportunities — innovating, improving quality, strengthening workplace culture, and building partnerships that deliver better health outcomes for Gippsland,” she said.
Other award winners included Buchan Bush Nursing Association, which received the Courageous Innovation Award for its community-led wellbeing initiatives following the 2019–20 bushfires, and Wellways Australia, whose Mental Health in Aged Care program was recognised in the Courageous Pursuit of
Quality category.
Gippsland PHN congratulated all nominees and winners for their dedication to improving health and wellbeing across the region.
