By Bronwyn Hastings

Horsham doctors Felix Ritson and David Wilson have won Victorian Rural Health awards for their professional contributions in their rural community. 

Rural Workforce Agency Victoria hosted the awards, recognising the outstanding contributions made by medical professionals, nurses, allied health professionals, Aboriginal health workers, and practice managers across rural Victoria, across 12 contribution and service categories.

Both Dr Wilson and Dr Ritson, practice at Lister House Medical Clinic. Dr Ritson won the ‘outstanding contribution by a rising star’ from six finalists.

Dr Ritson said he started working at Lister House about a year ago and was interested in mental health, drug and alcohol addiction, and chronic pain.

“The award is very encouraging and motivating to keep doing what I’m doing – a pat on the back, I guess,” he said.

Outside his role at Lister House, Dr Ritson is involved in community wellbeing initiatives like the Men’s Shed and men’s talk groups. 

He facilitates a men’s mental health circle once a fortnight, hosts a doctors in schools clinic at Horsham College once a week, and has an interest in running spiritual health events.

“It sounds sort of airy-fairy when you first hear it, but it’s really about what gives people purpose and meaning, and a sense of good health and wellbeing,” he said.

“Whether it’s related to a religious tradition or more to nature or sport or whatever, I would like to run some events related to that.”

Dr Wilson was one of 18 finalists in the ‘outstanding contribution by a rural general practitioner’ award, and said he still enjoyed all aspects of his work.

“It’s a nice reward for the work I’ve done in obstetrics, paediatrics and training new doctors – I’m excited to be selected from the long list of very competent people on the finalist list,” he said.

“I am very much still enjoying my work – in teaching new doctors to operate on a more skilled level than a GP, learning new things myself, as well as trying to implement new services within the practice.”

Dr Wilson has worked at Lister House for almost 34 years, been involved in more than 10,000 births in the Wimmera, and has been a police surgeon and supported forensic investigations. 

He has organised a children’s asthma camp in Mildura and been instrumental in promoting bone marrow collection and registration – including donating his own marrow.

Dr Wilson now leads general ruralist training in paediatrics and palliative care.

He was also one of 16 nominees for the ‘outstanding contribution by a mentor or supervisor’ award. 

Grampians Health Horsham’s Tim Raynor, and Christa Chamberlain from Horsham’s Equip Physiotherapy and Pilates were both finalists in the ‘outstanding contribution to rural allied health’ award. The awards, in their 20th year, were presented at a virtual gala event last week.

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