The annual Rural Workforce Agency Award winners can be nominated by Members of the public, including communities, patients, organisations, practice managers and other doctors. They are invited to nominate a rural doctor (general practitioner or other specialist) and to provide relevant information about their nominee. The selection panel judge's nominations based on the following categories and selection criteria:
- Category 1 - Length of Service: has contributed 35 years (or more) to rural communities, or
- Category 2 - Outstanding Contribution: in relation to:
- Innovation; and/or
- Professional and Personal Commitment; and/or
- Leadership
Dr Paul Carter was honoured in the Category 2 section, for his commitment and dedication to the community of Lancefield and the establishment of the Lancefield Country Practice in 2009. Dr Carter has worked in the Macedon Ranges for the last 25 years, and is a strong advocate for the benefits of accreditation in General Practice. Since establishing the Lancefield Country Practice the team have focused on delivering preventative medicine by developing programs for a wide range of medical and social issues. Dr Carter is as well regarded portrait painter and has entered the Archibald Prize for the past decade. Last year he became a published author when his collection of short stories about life as a country GP titled "Hale and Hardy", was released by Macmillan. A sequel is currently with the publisher.
Dr Suresh Jain also received an award in the Category 2 section for his outstanding commitment to the Kilmore community. Dr Jain has provided GP and Hospital services in the Kilmore district for 38 years and has contributed significantly to the local community in various roles including: Kilmore Hospital Board member, President of the Rotary Club, Kilmore Shire Council Medical Officer for Health and Assumption College Medical Officer. Over the years he has provided emergency assistance, spent countless hours "on call" and delivered close to a thousand babies at the Kilmore Hospital.
All nominees:
- must be doctors - GP or other specialist
- must work outside Remoteness Area 1 (metropolitan Melbourne and Geelong)
- can be nominated on more than one occasion; however, a recipient will receive one Victorian Rural Doctors' Award
- must be of 'good character' as deemed by the Medical Practitioners Board, Victoria
- who are under investigation by the Medical Practitioners Board, Victoria will not be eligible for a Victorian Rural Doctors' Award.
Congratulations to Dr Paul Carter and Dr Suresh Jain on receiving this very prestigious award, which were presented on the 11th November 2011, at the Grand Hyatt Hotel, Melbourne.