The Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine (ACRRM) congratulates past and present Fellows and friends who were recognised for their services to rural and remote medicine and the profession in the Australia Day Honours list this year. 

Those recognised include:
• Dr Sue Harrison, OAM for service to medicine
• Dr Jeffrey Robinson, OAM for service to medicine
• Dr Christine McConnell OAM for service to the RFDS and medicine generally 

Dr Harrison is an ACRRM founding member, former board director, and current supervisor liaison officer.  She has spent 40 years serving the Echuca community in Victoria as a Rural Generalist Aanaesthetist, and been a strong advocate for rural and remote healthcare, particularly in women’s health, sports medicine and the viability of rural general practice.

Dr Robinson was awarded the ACRRM/RDAA prestigious Peter Graham Cohuna Award (2020).  Together with his wife Dr Libby Garoni, he has worked in Mt Beauty for more than 20 years and is highly regarded for his emergency care skills and his commitment to providing professional development in emergency care to doctors and practice staff in the region.

Dr McConnell, a retired member who spent more than 20 years with the RFDS in Western Australia, is also recognised for her work as an Antarctic medical officer; and Dr Ian Cameron has a career in General Practice spanning more than 50 years.

ACRRM President Dr Dan Halliday says seeing members and friends of the College recognised for their dedication to the profession, the community, and their colleagues is always welcome.

 “This recognition highlights that delivering healthcare services to rural and remote communities is very different to urban areas, and this extends to the models of medical practice required to sustain them.  

“Colleagues who have been acknowledged in this year’s Australia Day Honours list are exemplary representatives of all ACRRM members who are serving their communities. 

“We take our hats off to them and thank them for being strong role models for current and future Rural Generalists; and for their services to their communities and to the profession,” Dr Halliday says.