Chair of the Griffith Local Health Advisory Committee Margaret King is a finalist for the Volunteer of the Year award category of the 2024 NSW Health Awards. Photo: Murrumbidgee Local Health District.
A Riverina health volunteer and tireless supporter across numerous voluntary and health advocacy roles for over a decade has been named a finalist for the 2024 NSW Health Awards.
Margaret King is a finalist in the Volunteer of the Year award category for her contributions as chair of the Griffith Local Health Advisory Committee (LHAC) and her extraordinary efforts to improve the state’s public health system.
“It is a humbling position, but I don’t do it alone,” Ms King said. “It’s very exciting, and I’m very grateful to be nominated.
“The work LHAC does across the Murrumbidgee is critical to each of our communities. We are all volunteers, and we act as the eyes and ears of the community, identifying any gaps in services.”
Ms King also shared her passion for supporting the refugee and migrant communities in Griffith.
“We recently ran a pop-up vaccination clinic for Muslim men while they were attending prayers on a Friday,” Ms King said.
“We administered 80 vaccinations that day.
Ms King expressed her excitement about the redevelopment of the Griffith Base Hospital, noting that LHAC had played a crucial role in the project.
The Murrumbidgee Local Health District (MLHD) highlighted Margaret’s efforts, noting that she had led many health promotion activities to keep the community informed and improved health literacy, all while working full-time.
Alongside Margaret’s nomination, MLHD was also named a finalist in the Health Innovation Award category for its contribution to the Rural Paediatric Complex Care Coordination project. This project was in partnership with Southern NSW LHD, The Sydney Children’s Hospitals Network, and Western NSW LHD.
MLHD Chief Executive Jill Ludford praised the local finalists for their dedication and passion.
“Margaret is an incredible ambassador for health across our region,” Ms Ludford said. “She has demonstrated strong leadership as LHAC chair and has made a tireless contribution to the Griffith Base Hospital redevelopment. She is compassionate, resilient, and a great advocate for her community.”
Margaret King has dedicated over a decade to the Griffith community. Photo: Murrumbidgee Local Health District.
Ms Ludford also commended the Health Innovation Award finalist team involved in the Rural Paediatric Complex Care Coordination project.
“We have shown time and again in the Murrumbidgee that we are innovative and driven to find new approaches to overcome challenges,” she added.
Now in its 26th year, the NSW Health Awards recognise the personalised, sustainable, and digitally enabled programs that enhance the wellbeing of patients and the community.
NSW Health Secretary Susan Pearce AM expressed her enthusiasm for honouring the individuals and teams who enrich the health system daily.
“These awards are a chance to recognise our incredible healthcare staff and volunteers across the public health system,” Ms Pearce said. “I congratulate the finalists, but I also want to acknowledge the remarkable work being done every day by our teams of doctors, nurses, midwives, allied health, and support staff.”
NSW Health received 186 nominations across 12 award categories. The finalists and winners will be celebrated at the NSW Health Awards ceremony on Thursday 24 October, at the International Convention Centre in Sydney. The event will also be livestreamed from 6 pm.
Further information on the 2024 NSW Health Awards, including a full list of finalists is available on the NSW Health website.
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