Renmark Paringa Health Advisory Council

10/08/2026

🤩 CONGRATULATIONS to the Riverland Palliative Care Team – winners of the RMCLHN 2026 Person Centred Award!

Riverland Palliative Care is a multidisciplinary team comprising nurses, a nurse practitioner, social workers and medical officers. Their work exemplifies the principles of person-centred care by ensuring consumers and their families are supported to make informed decisions about their end-of-life journey, with dignity, comfort and choice at the forefront.

The team are truly unique in the way they operate with a highly effective service model, made possible through collaboration with the Riverland Academy of Clinical Excellence (RACE).

While the region has benefited from access to a nurse practitioner for the past three years, significantly improving timely access to end-of-life medications, the addition of Advanced Trainee doctors through RACE has transformed what is possible for consumers with complex medical needs.

In palliative care, the goal is to fulfill consumers’ (and their loved ones’) wishes around end-of-life care. For many, this includes dying at home, with well controlled symptoms. Under this expanded model, consumers who would previously have required hospital admission due to complex symptoms and complicated end-of-life conditions, can now remain in their home, enabling more people to die how they wish—at home, with their symptoms well-managed, surrounded by family, familiar surroundings and even beloved pets.

The team supported 23 consumers to die at home in 2025, and their home death rate far exceeds the national average. They were also able reduce the number of hospital bed days, demonstrating the broader system benefits of their work.

Working in palliative care requires emotional resilience, compassion and the ability to maintain professional boundaries in the face of profound human experiences. Every member of the team works with compassion, dignity, respect and high-level clinical expertise. At the heart of their approach is enabling consumers to lead their own care experience.

Their work has directly enhanced outcomes not only for consumers but also for carers and families, who consistently provide heartfelt feedback expressing their gratitude for the team’s support during one of life’s most difficult stages.

Through dedication, innovation and holistic, person-centred practice, the Riverland Palliative Care Team is delivering exceptional care and contributing meaningfully to the goals and values of RMCLHN.

Pictured: Wendy Jansen, Palliative Care Nurse Practitioner, Helen Stoeckel, Associate Nurse Unit Manager (ANUM) Palliative Care and Nyree Haynes, ANUM Palliative Care.

07/08/2026

05/08/2026

🥳👣 CONGRATULATIONS to the Country Health Connect Podiatry Team, who were finalists for the 2026 RMCLHN Inspired Innovation Award!

The team were nominated for the development and delivery of the Podiatry Rural Showcase - an innovative workforce and education initiative designed to expose third-year podiatry students from Adelaide University to rural practice within the Riverland Mallee Coorong Local Health Network (RMCLHN).

They have designed and delivered a structured, immersive rural showcase that brings students into the region for a dedicated clinical and workforce experience day, for three consecutive years.

The students rotate through a series of activities led by RMCLHN podiatrists, that cover exposure to diverse rural caseloads, service delivery demonstrations, participation in clinical reasoning and case discussions, insights into multidisciplinary care and practical exposure to rural service challenges.

The Showcase has contributed to increased student interest in rural podiatry careers, improved preparedness for fourth-year rural placements, greater understanding of rural podiatry practice, and stronger connections between students and RMCLHN clinicians.

Pictured: Senior Manager Podiatry Georgia Mann, Podiatrist Samara Grimes and Senior Manager Podiatry Hilary Harrison.

03/08/2026

🥳 CONGRATULATIONS to local GP and Riverland Academy of Clinical Excellence (RACE) Director Clinical Training, Dr Hamish Eske - winner of the RMCLHN 2026 Inspired Innovation Award!

Dr Eske was nominated for his “non-stop” efforts to develop and implement new programs at RMCLHN on top of a demanding GP role - often working 50+ hours a week in the clinic - while carrying out the Director Clinical Training (DCT) role and working locum shifts at Lameroo and Pinnaroo.

Over the past 12 months, Dr Eske has worked with the Trainee Medical Officer (TMO) Unit to coordinate rotations and has spent countless hours ensuring all relevant accreditation standards are met.

He has also been involved in managing many other projects, including the Renmark Aboriginal Health Clinic, in collaboration with Riverland Aboriginal Health, SA Health and the TMO Unit. The weekly clinic has continued to grow in popularity – ensuring Aboriginal consumers have access to high-quality, consistent healthcare.

Dr Eske has also been involved in creating a Paediatric Advanced Skills Training (AST) rotation for one of the registrars, working at the Women’s and Children’s Hospital. It had not been done before and will hopefully mean RMCLHN has the first Paediatric AST accredited Rural Generalist next year – improving young people’s access to healthcare.

He has also been passionately involved in reinvigorating, redeveloping and coordinating the Rapid Assessment Paediatric (RAP) Clinic. The Clinic has expanded in 2026 to include schools in Berri and Glossop, as well as those already involved from Renmark. The RAP Clinic allows a TMO to work for six weeks in community paediatrics, followed by six weeks of inpatient paediatrics at Mildura Base Public Hospital.

Through his DCT role, the RACE program has grown from six interns to more than 50 junior doctors in RMCLHN. Most GP clinics in the Riverland now have the good problem of running out of consulting rooms because doctor numbers have expanded so rapidly.

Dr Eske was also recently involved in starting the Geriatric Outreach Service trial in Renmark in collaboration with SA Health, visiting Geriatricians, and Renmark Paringa District Hospital Residential Aged Care Facility (RACF) staff. A region-wide rollout of GOS is on the horizon.

The quality and quantity of Dr Eske’s work is exceptional – and not without personal detriment. He works days, nights and weekends, but still brings a high level of passion and energy to work every day.

He has bolstered the profile of RACE, provided junior doctors with invaluable training experiences and, most importantly, created projects and an environment that benefits local communities.

02/08/2026

Have you ever been worried that a patient’s condition was getting worse while they were in hospital?

SA Health is reviewing the ‘You’re Worried, We’re Listening’ program and how patients, families and carers can raise concerns about a patient’s condition.

We want to hear about your views and experiences, including what is working well and what could be improved. Your feedback will help shape and strengthen SA Health’s approach.

The anonymous survey takes 5-10 minutes and closes on 9 August 2026.

Complete the survey: brnw.ch/21x4xnS

31/07/2026

🥳 CONGRATULATIONS to Dr Sonya Kelly, who was a finalist for the 2026 RMCLHN Values Superstar - RMC CARES Award!

Dr Kelly was nominated for her ongoing and tireless work as Clinical Director/Senior Medical Officer and Rural Generalist Inpatient Services at Riverland General Hospital.

Dr Kelly juggles a demanding workload including anaesthetics for theatre and has undertaken the role of Acting Executive Director of Medical Services (EDMS) for RMCLHN on multiple occasions during periods of EDMS leave.

She consistently demonstrates a range of positive qualities through her work with consumers, peers, and other service providers. This includes respectful and trauma-informed engagement, motivation and innovation, compassion and empathy, consumer-centred and collaborative care, integrity and accountability, resourcefulness and adaptability, commitment to excellence and leadership, and quality service provision.

Dr Kelly has contributed to many positive patient outcomes, including early and timely interventions, collaborative care and discharge planning, development and revision of Emergency Department (ED) management plans, and safety planning.

28/07/2026

🤩 CONGRATULATIONS to our second round of Riverland Mallee Coorong Local Health Network (RMCLHN) Aged Care Cadetship Program graduates!

The Aged Care Cadetship Program is a unique opportunity to work, earn and learn in an aged care environment as a Direct Care Attendant (DCA).

The cadets have spent the last 18 months studying, completing workplace and written assessments, and learning practical on-the-job skills by working as DCAs at one of our Residential Aged Care Facilities (RACF) or in community health settings through Country Health Connect.

In partnership with Equals International, graduates have received their Certificate III in Individual Support (Ageing), and have the opportunity to be employed ongoing with RMCLHN as a DCA at various locations, including Lameroo, Pinnaroo, Loxton, Barmera, Renmark and Murray Bridge.

📷 Pictured: Back row - RMCLHN CEO Wayne Champion PSM, RMCLHN Governing Board Chair Elaine Ashworth, Tania Joslin, Trudy Connolly, Kirsten Kubank, Elizabeth Eckermann, Roie Barnett-Ownsworth and Elizabeth Laskowski.
Front row – Melinda Halupka, Alisha Rushton, Bianca Rodda, Lena Albanese and Cindy Creaser. Not pictured: Sherry Aguilar and Zhane Bell.

27/07/2026

We are pleased to share that a new member joined our RMCLHN Governing Board on 1 July 2026 – Dana Tung-choi Shen.

Dana has worked in the public and non-for-profit sectors and brings more than 20 years of experience in health, families and child protection. She has worked in a number of senior leadership roles in the South Australian public sector which has seen her develop strong expertise in system reform and co-design. She also has a strong commitment to culturally appropriate service delivery, informed by her Ngarrindjeri heritage.

We are also pleased to share that our Governing Board members Richard Hearn AM and Robin Valentine have been re-appointed to the RMCLHN Governing Board.

Sonia Waters has concluded her term with the RMCLHN Governing Board, and we thank her for her significant contributions to RMCLHN. This has included valuable input into Aboriginal Health projects, plans and strategies, including our Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP), the RMCLHN Aboriginal Health Strategy and launch of the interactive Ngarrindjeri signage project.

For more information about the RMCLHN Governing Board, visit the SA Health website at bit.ly/RMCLHNGoverningBoardMembers

27/07/2026

🥳 CONGRATULATIONS to Close the Gap Project Officer, Renee Kropinyeri - winner of the RMCLHN 2026 Values Superstar RMC CARES Award!

Renee consistently demonstrates respect, motivation, compassion, accountability and service in her work with Aboriginal communities, colleagues and partners.

She plays a pivotal role supporting Aboriginal health initiatives aimed at improving equity, access and health outcomes for Aboriginal consumers, and works closely with Aboriginal communities, Aboriginal Health staff, the Riverland Academy of Clinical Excellence (RACE) Research Unit, clinicians, executives and partners to ensure culturally safe, responsive and community-informed approaches to care.

Renee has a strong commitment to improving health outcomes for Aboriginal peoples through respectful engagement, thoughtful planning, and courageous advocacy. Her work directly supports the Riverland Mallee Coorong Local Health Network’s (RMCLHN) strategic priorities, with a particular focus on culturally safe practice, community partnership, and excellence in service delivery.

Renee has made numerous contributions in her role, including leading two comprehensive cultural language initiatives – the Ngarrindjeri signage project and Ngarrindjeri room-naming initiative. She is a member of RMCLHN’s Research Committee and proactively engages in research activities through RACE, to advocate for Aboriginal consumers and communities. She also sits on interview panels for administrative and clinical roles, attends and presents at national rural health conferences, and has played a critical role in the Nra:gi Ya:yun Project aimed at managing Type 2 diabetes on Ngarrindjeri Country.

Renee has collaborated with RMCLHN’s Communications Team to develop and distribute Acknowledgement of Country resources that reinforce organisational commitment to respect, reconciliation and culturally safe practice. She also created a comprehensive Close the Gap resource library on RMCLHN’s intranet, supporting staff understanding of Closing the Gap, National Close the Gap Day and practical actions staff can take, and was also on the Working Group for the inaugural Close the Gap Open Day in Murray Bridge.

Renee organised culturally meaningful t-shirts for Aboriginal Health staff, featuring artwork by Aunty Ros Richards and contributed to the development of RMCLHN’s Cultural Learning Framework – supporting the onboarding of a Cultural Learning Officer and the delivery of cultural education across the region, strengthening workforce capability and cultural safety.

In addition to her substantive role, Renee has repeatedly stepped up to act in the Director of Aboriginal Health position during periods of leave, taking on significant leadership responsibility with humility, professionalism and a strong sense of accountability to both community and the organisation.

Renee is widely recognised as kind, approachable and respectful, creating safe spaces for open dialogue and collaboration. She consistently provides thoughtful advice that is well-considered. Her ability to communicate complex issues clearly, while centring Aboriginal voices and community perspectives, strengthens and improves service planning across RMCLHN.

Through her work, Renee has helped to improve relationships between RMCLHN and Aboriginal communities, contributing to increased trust, engagement and culturally safe service delivery. The positive outcomes of her work include stronger collaboration, improved cultural capability within teams, and services that are better aligned with the needs and priorities of Aboriginal consumers and carers.

Renee loves her community and always thinks outside the box to help create spaces where Aboriginal consumers can access culturally safe and welcoming services. Her work not only contributes to improved outcomes for Aboriginal consumers but also strengthens RMCLHN as an organisation committed to equity, inclusion and culturally safe care.