Volunteer Marilyn White recognised for raising more than $700,000 in food support for health district

A volunteer who has helped raise more than $700,000 in support of local services was among the award winners at the Northern NSW Local Health District Quality Awards in Ballina.

Marilyn White from Murwillumbah District Hospital, who has volunteered at the hospital coffee shop since 2008.

In that time, she has helped raise more than $700,000 to support local health services through her work as Volunteer Food Supervisor.

The annual awards celebrate innovation, compassion and service excellence across the health district.

 

Other major winners were Staff Member of the Year recipient Staff Stephanie Pages.

Pages works as the clinical coordinator of the Adult Survivors Program within the Integrated Prevention and Response to Violence, Abuse and Neglect team in Lismore.

She was recognised for her leadership in supporting and mentoring staff, including empowering more than 550 workers through education, clinical supervision and professional development.

A new category introduced this year, the Emblem of Kindness award, recognised staff members for small but meaningful acts of compassion towards patients and colleagues.

Ballina District Hospital Palliative Care Nurse Therese Melton was selected as the district’s representative for the statewide NSW Health Awards later this year after receiving the honour.

Other recipients included Darren Cormick from Murwillumbah District Hospital, Andrew Doueihi from Tweed Valley Hospital, Anna Law from Aboriginal Health and Carmen Spiegel from Ballina District Hospital.

NSW Health secretary Susan Pearce said the awards highlighted the importance of compassion in healthcare.

“Every day, our remarkable staff across NSW Health perform small acts of kindness that make a big difference in the lives of people across NSW,” she said.

“The Emblem of Kindness awards are a simple but powerful reminder every kind gesture, no matter how small, has the potential to make a lasting impact.”

Other category winners included initiatives focused on environmental sustainability, Aboriginal healthcare, mental health services, patient safety and healthcare innovation.

Northern NSW Local Health District Chief Executive Tracey Maisey said the growing number of nominations reflected strong staff commitment to improving healthcare services.

“With twice as many nominations as last year, it’s incredibly encouraging to see strong staff commitment to improving services, supporting colleagues, and introducing new ideas,” she said.

Winners from the Northern NSW Local Health District awards will now be nominated for the statewide NSW Health Awards to be held in October.

The District’s 2026 Quality Awards Winners in each category are:

Environmental Sustainability

Joint Winners: Right-Sizing Gas Cylinders: A Sustainable Approach to Reducing Waste in Healthcare, NNSWLHD Corporate Services (Procurement), and

CleanFlow: Sustainable Systems, Nursing and Midwifery, Murwillumbah District Hospital

 

Excellence in Aboriginal Healthcare

Winner: Promoting Cultural Safety for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Families, Casino and District Memorial Hospital

Excellence in the Provision of Mental Health, Alcohol and Other Drugs Services

Winner: Voice to Action – Embedding Survivor Experience​, Community and Allied Health

Health innovation

Winner: Keeping Care Close to Home – Urgent Care Reimagined​, Tweed Heads Community Health Service

Health Research

Winner: Multi-Purpose Service Dining Experience​, Aged Care, Multi-Purpose Service Network

Keeping People Healthy

Winner: eMR Referral Pathway to the Get Healthy Service, NNSWLHD Health Promotion

Patient Safety First

Winner: Better Flow, Better Care – Lismore Base Hospital​, Nursing and Midwifery, Lismore Base Hospital

People and Culture

Winner: Infection Control Management Processes and Flow in the OT​, Operating Theatres, Tweed Valley Hospital

Transforming Patient Experience

Winner: ADHD Co-Management – improving access and bringing care closer to home, Child Youth and Family Network, Planning, Partnerships and Allied Health.