RWAV - Rural Workforce Agency Victoria

🤝 Thank you to our 2026 Victorian Rural Health Awards sponsors

For the very first time, this year’s Awards are proudly supported by event and award sponsors, together recognise and celebrate excellence in rural health across Victoria.

⭐ A sincere thank you to our valued partners:
Victorian Department of Health
Australian Association of Practice Management - AAPM
Services for Australian Rural and Remote Allied Health - SARRAH
Larter Consulting
Dr Jump Mentoring Program

Your support plays a vital role in making this event possible and in celebrating the incredible people working across rural and regional healthcare.

🔗 Watch the highlights and full video: link in the bio! https://loom.ly/GUV28TU

🤝 Strengthening mental health workforce collaboration

Last week, RWAV met with Mental Health Victoria (MHV) to explore opportunities for collaboration and shared workforce priorities.

✅ The discussions focused on the ongoing challenges in attracting, supporting, and retaining mental health professionals in rural and regional Victoria, where access to care remains critical.

RWAV also shared key highlights from its 2024–25 Impact Report, showcasing outcomes across recruitment, retention, student placements, and outreach programs.

The meeting identified strong alignment between both organisations and future opportunities to work together to strengthen the rural mental health workforce.

📸 Pictured: Brad Hudson and Mental Health Victoria representatives

🎉 Congratulations to the 2026 Victorian Rural Health Awards winners, finalists, and Length of Service Award recipients!

✨🏆 We are proud to celebrate the incredible achievements of this year’s recipients. These awards recognise the outstanding contributions of healthcare professionals across Victoria’s rural and regional communities, including doctors, nurses, allied health professionals, Aboriginal health workers, and practice managers.

For the very first time, we were honoured to present the Outstanding Contribution by a Mental Health Professional Award 🤩

💐 A huge thank you to our judges, presenters, and all the remarkable individuals and teams whose work continues to make a profound impact on the wellbeing of rural Victoria.

🔗 Watch the full video here: https://loom.ly/MOEjGVk

Introducing the Winners of the 2026 Victorian Rural Health Awards Outstanding Contribution by a Rural Medical Specialist Award Dr Herath Wataliyadda, Goulburn Valley Neighborhood Schools Program, Shepparton Dr. Herath Wataliyadda is a General Paediatrician, presently working as the sole paediatrician