Community & Business
3 December, 2025
Gilgandra's Aboriginal Nurse of the Year, Amy
Gilgandra’s Amy Sutherland was named as the Aboriginal Nurse/Midwife of the Year for NSW Health at a gala function recently, but according to her, Amy’s ‘village’ is the reason she won the prestigious state award.
The 13th annual NSW Health Excellence in Nursing and Midwifery Awards ceremony was held at NSW Parliament House in Sydney on Monday, November 24.
The awards highlight the remarkable professional achievements and recognise the incredible contributions nurses and midwives make to the health and wellbeing of people in NSW every day.
Awards were presented by minister for health Ryan Park, minister for mental health Rose Jackson, NSW Health secretary Susan Pearce AM and chief nursing and midwifery officer Jacqui Cross.
Shivam Dhiman, registered nurse, Surgical/orthopaedic ward, Fairfield Hospital, South Western Sydney Local Health District was named as the nurse of the year, while the midwife of the year was Svetlana Ilich, clinical midwifery specialist, Bereavement and Perinatal Service, Blacktown Hospital, Western Sydney Local Health District.
Amy, a transitional nurse practitioner rural generalist at the Gilgandra Multi-Purpose Service (Western NSW Local Health District), said being named the state’s Aboriginal Nurse/Midwife of the Year was a team effort.
Asked about key people to thank in a video released by the Western NSW Local Health District (Western NSW LHD), Amy said there was too many to mention and instead wanted to acknowledge her “village”.
“There is just no way that I could thank a single person,” Amy said. “So, I would thank my village. Family, friends, work colleagues, and my community.
“Without a doubt, without these guys, without any of them, there is no way I would be doing what I’m doing.
“So, I owe everything to them.”
She added she was “proud” to walk alongside her Indigenous colleagues.
“The Aboriginal workforce, same thing applies,” Amy said. “I’m very proud to be a part of it. “And I see you, and I’m proud to walk with you.” Her final comment in the video was that she couldn’t wait to meet “the future generation”.
“The last one would be future, the future generation,” she said.
“I can’t wait to meet you, and to, I guess, walk this journey with you.”
The Western NSW LHD said of the uplifting video: “We’re delighted to share this heartfelt message from Transitional Nurse Practitioner Rural Generalist and NSW Health award winner Amy Sutherland.
“In her video, Amy thanks her “village,” her family, friends, colleagues, community and the many people who have supported her throughout her journey. She says she owes everything to them.
“Amy also shares her pride in being part of the Aboriginal workforce and her hopes for the next generation.
“Congratulations again, Amy. Your leadership, strength and generosity inspire us all.”
Amy was one of nine major category winners at the awards to celebrate the excellence, compassion and dedication of nurses and midwives across the state.
“I want to congratulate the winners and all 27 finalists for their incredible achievements in providing the very best care to patients, women and families across NSW,” state minister for health Ryan Park said.
“From metropolitan hospitals to our most remote rural and remote hospitals, nurses and midwives are the heart of the healthcare we provide.
“The awards not only honour and celebrate the skills, passion and commitment of our finalists but also reflect what nurses and midwives across NSW bring to work every single day.”
Minister for mental health Rose Jackson added: “Nurses and midwives are the backbone of our health system, delivering exceptional care in every setting from maternity to mental health services.”
NSW Health secretary Susan Pearce AM in particular noted Amy in her summation: “The Excellence in Nursing and Midwifery Awards are an important reminder and opportunity to reflect and recognise the commitment, innovation and outstanding care being provided to the people of NSW by our nurses and midwives.
“I’m incredibly proud to see nurses and midwives like Amy Sutherland from Gilgandra, our Aboriginal Nurse/Midwife of the Year, whose dedication to rural and regional Indigenous healthcare is helping to create pathways for Aboriginal health care professionals. I want to congratulate the nominees and winners of this year’s awards and also extend my deepest thanks to all nurses and midwives, who play an integral role in delivering high-quality care to patients, families and communities across the state.”
Amy was eligible for the state award after winning her category in the Western Local Health District Awards earlier this year.
