MOREE dietitian Renaye Madden has been shortlisted for a major award at the Rural Health Pro National Rural and Remote Health Awards to be held in Canberra tonight.

Renaye, a dietitian at Pius X Aboriginal Medical Service in Moree and Associate Lecturer in Allied Health at the Department of Rural Health, is one of three finalists for the Dedication to Health in a Remote Location Award.

Also shortlisted is the North and West Remote Health Wellbeing Team from remote Queensland communities Doomadgee and Mornington Island for the Three Sixty Project and Charles Darwin University’s CDU Health Hub for the Outback Active program at Katherine in the Northern Territory.

Renaye is a passionate advocate for culturally responsive health care and education in remote communities, and has made a profound impact through her dual roles.

“I’m really grateful to be nominated for this award, it was a lovely surprise,” Renaye smiled.

“Working in rural and remote areas like Moree can sometimes feel a bit isolating, like you’re in a silo, so this recognition means a lot.

“Moree is a wonderful town with a strong sense of community, and I feel lucky to be part of it.

“I’m fortunate to work alongside Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families and communities, and to be involved in projects that celebrate culture and support health in meaningful ways,” she said.

Moree dietitian Renaye Madden has been shortlisted for a major award at the Rural Health Pro National Rural and Remote Health Awards.

Renaye has led and co-designed several community-driven initiatives that have significantly improved health outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families.

Her programs of culturally safe dietetic care are grounded in trust, respect and deep collaboration with local Elders and health workers.

Renaye co-developed a First Nations-focused, fussy eating resource for children and a healthy eating cookbook celebrating local food traditions.

She also created culturally respectful student placements in Moree and her Experience Moree initiative challenges negative stereotypes and promotes the town.

Renaye thanked Pius X Aboriginal Corporation and the University of Newcastle’s Department of Rural Health for their incredible support during a career that has redefined healthy living in the Moree district.

“I couldn’t do this work without such a great team behind me,” Renaye said.

Also shortlisted is HealthWISE, Northern Inland, for the Rural-Remote Health Innovator of the Year Award.

HealthWISE was nominated for several initiatives, including Menopause is Not a Dirty Word, a series of events supported by the University of Newcastle Department of Rural Health.

Menopause is Not a Dirty Word was delivered in communities across the New England north-west, including Moree Plains, Gwydir, Inverell, and Glen Innes Severn.

Dr Miriam Grotowski and Deanne Harris from Tamworth Rural Referral Hospital are finalists in the Outstanding Contribution to Rural-Remote Health Access Award and Rachael Ferris and Amy Hiscox from Armidale are finalists in the Rural-Remote Multi-Disciplinary Health Collaboration of the Year Award.

Dr Ian Kamerman, from Tamworth’s Medicare Urgent Care Clinic, is a finalist for the Rural-Remote Health Professional of the Year Award.

The National Rural and Remote Health Awards celebrate the extraordinary efforts of health professionals and organisations serving remote and rural communities around Australia and are held each November as part of Rural Health month.

The awards will be held at the National Press Club of Australia in Canberra tonight at 6pm.