Thursday April 23, 2026

On Wednesday, 22 April 2026, more than 180 staff gathered at Rydges Geelong to celebrate staff who achieved 20, 30, 40 or 50 years of service in 2025, along with the winners of the annual Barwon Best Care Awards.

Congratulations to all staff who achieved this significant milestone, and to the winners of the awards.

WORKPLACE HEALTH AND SAFETY AWARD

Aseptic Pharmacy Services Manager, Tomislav Sperac

CENTRE FOR EDUCATION AND TRAINING AWARD

Eating Disorder Service senior dietitians, Jessie Bradley and Kate Noble

BARWON BEST CARE AWARDS:

  • Safe Care Award

    • Improving timely access to thrombolysis, led by Michelle Clarke and Jade Mallia

  • Personal Care Award

    • Improving mental health through a sensory modulation occupational therapy group, led by Charmaine Gray and team members Disha Karnik, Taylor Langford, Gabrielle Phillips, Jordan Swaney, Jessica Wilson and Lucy Browne

  • Effective Care Award

    • Pulmonary Embolism Response Team – improving outcomes through multidisciplinary decision making, led by Anna Dunn and team members Eleanor Lee, Andrew Owen, Benjamin Harrison, Steel Scott and Nick Simpson

  • Connected Care Award

    • Autistic Exploration Group (AEG): Delivering Connected, Neurodiversity-Affirming Mental Health Care for Autistic Adults, led by Tayla Johns and team members Jessica Farrell, Charmaine Gray and Hayley Sechtig

BARWON HEALTH LEADER OF THE YEAR AWARD

Fiona Brennan

CHIEF EXECUTIVE’S AWARD

Associate Professor Anna Dunn, Head of Respiratory Unit

50 YEARS OF SERVICE ACHIEVED IN 2025

Denise Edwards

40 YEARS OF SERVICE ACHIEVED IN 2025

Susan Bell, Susan Bowles, Adrian Conte, Amanda Cowland, Cindy Davis, Lei Dempsey, Libby Ellis, Margaret Gill, Ronwen Gration, Divera Matthews, Catherine Norrish, Helen Outhred, Luciana Sahr, Brenda Short, Janelle Andrews, Susan Boldkald, Jennifer Bole, Jennifer Hempton, Toni Hogg, John Kondzior, Debra Mykulak, Michelle Scheelings, Fiona Walker, Rhonda Wright

Two senior retirees were also recognised: Dr Greg Weeks and Dr Toni Hogg.

38 people reached 30 years of service and 101 people reached 20 years of service in 2025.

Photo gallery - click on the image for the full view