Who is eligible: GP of the Year award nominees must be a current financial member of the RACGP and hold current unconditional medical registration within the Australian Health Practitioners Regulation Agency.

Who can nominate?: The GP of the Year (nominee) may be nominated by any two people, including a member of the medical profession, a member of the general public, a member of a recognised training program or Primary Health Network etc.

Criteria: A winner will be chosen from each state, and one national winner will be chosen from amongst the state finalists. This award will be judged on the following criteria:

• understanding and commitment to general practice
• service to the public
• involvement in training and continuing professional development

NB: Previous winners of the RACGP GP of the Year award in the past cannot be considered for this award again until a period of 5 years has elapsed. You can view the list of previous winners online.

Who is eligible: Nominees must be an Australian General Practice Training (AGPT), Fellowship Support Program (FSP) or Remote Vocational Training Scheme (RVTS) accredited supervisor under the terms of the RACGP Standards for general practice training.

Who can nominate?: The GP Supervisor of the Year (nominee) may be nominated by a member of the general practice profession, a member of a recognised training program, General Practice Supervisors Australia (GPSA), Primary Healthcare Network (PHN) or a surveyor from an accrediting body.

Criteria: A winner will be chosen from each state, and one national winner will be chosen from amongst the state finalists. This award will be judged on the following criteria:

• understanding a commitment to general practice and training/mentoring
• performance as a GP
• role model as a trainer/mentor
• involvement in delivery of registrar training e.g. organisaiton/administration

NB: Previous winners of the RACGP GP Supervisor of the Year award in the past cannot be considered for this award again until a period of 5 years has elapsed. You can view the list of previous winners online.

Who is eligible: GPs in Training are eligible for nomination for the GP in Training of the Year award if:

1. They are enrolled in a Recognised Training Program as at the date of the close of the award’s nomination period
2. They completed a Recognised Training Program subsequent to the close of the nomination period in the previous year.

Nominees for the award must be a current member of the RACGP and hold current unconditional medical registration with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency.

Who can nominate?: The GP in Training of the Year (nominee) may be nominated by general practice supervisors/trainer/mentors.

Criteria: A winner will be chosen from each state, and one national winner will be chosen from amongst the state finalists. This award will be judged on the following criteria:

• commitment to general practice and to learning
• satisfactory academic progress
• service to patients, practice and education
• services to the community.

It is highly recommended that nominators do not discuss their nomination with the intended nominee.

Who is eligible: General Practices with a current accreditation status can be nominated for the General Practice of the Year Award. Nominees must have at least one current financial RACGP member within their practice and must provide information for the RACGP member who will receive the award on behalf of their practice.

Who can nominate?: The General Practice of the Year (nominee) may be nominated by a member of the medical profession, a member of the general public, a member of a regional training provider or Primary Health Network etc.

Criteria: A winner will be chosen from each state, and one national winner will be chosen from amongst the state finalists. This award will be judged on the following criteria:

• the current accreditation status of the practice; nominations will only be accepted for this award where the relevant practice is an accredited practice
• the structure of the practice, including facilities for both patients and staff
• the services provided to patients by the practice (e.g. patient education materials, health promotion, preventive care, reminder systems)
• delivery of services to patients by practice staff
• an outline of what differentiated the practice from other practices
• details of current involvement in general practice teaching

NB: Previous winners of the RACGP General Practice of the Year award in the past cannot be considered for this award again until a period of 5 years has elapsed. You can view the list of previous winners online.

The Rose-Hunt Award is the highest accolade awarded by the RACGP. The award is a gift from the Royal College of General Practitioners to the RACGP, commemorating the founding members of the Royal College of General Practitioners, Dr Fraser Rose and Lord Hunt of Fawley.

The Rose-Hunt Award is awarded to one person who is a Fellow or a member, who – in the opinion of the Board – has rendered outstanding service in the promotion of the objectives of the RACGP, either by individual patient care, organisation, education, research or any other means.

Outstanding service may be over a period of 10 years or a substantial and significant contribution to general practice over a shorter period.

Nominations can be made by any two Fellows of the RACGP. You can read more about the Rose-Hunt Award online.

The Corlis Medical Educator award commemorates the contribution of the late Dr Wilson (Bill) Corlis to the RACGP’s standing as a leader in medical education.

This award recognises an RACGP member and/or Fellow who has contributed substantially to the education and mentoring of doctors who are on any of the RACGP pathways to Fellowship.

Nominations can be made by any financial member of the RACGP.

The Future Leaders President’s Medal recognises an individual who is identified as someone who is making a contribution to the RACGP and most likely to continue to contribute to the leadership of the RACGP or as a leader in general practice into the future. It takes into consideration leadership behaviours required in the profession as taught and evidenced through the RACGP’s Future Leaders Program.

Judging will reference the various leadership domains within the framework of the RACGP’s Future Leaders President’s Program (see below). The recipient of the award must be currently enrolled or a graduate of the program to be eligible for the award.

The RACGP Future Leaders Program leadership domains are:

1. Representation and advocacy: Represents the RACGP and advocates on behalf of RACGP members at local and national level
2. Strategic decision-making: Implements strategies in practical ways at a local level and makes objective decisions with a view to desirable long term strategic outcomes
3. Influencing: Articulates RACGP vision to both medical and non-medical professionals: has courageous conversations and ‘takes people on the journey’
4. Change management and resilience: Manages own development and builds own resilience whilst supporting behavioural change in others and driving change management
5. GP Leader: Foundations knowledge – applies governance ad organisation principles when engaged in leadership work

The Prof. Charlotte Hespe Research Award is presented to a registrar (academic or non-academic) who has conducted research or a project during training that is considered most outstanding. The registrar must be enrolled in a recognised training program or have Fellowed in the 12 months prior to the closing date for award nominations.

Nominations must address the following criteria:

• The relevance or importance of the research or project to general practice and/or general practice training.
• Appropriateness of methods used for the research or project question.
• Rigour in which the research or project was conducted, with consideration of the resources available.
• Importance or relevance of results of the research or project to general practice and/or general practice training.

The Dr Jeremy Bunker Award for Outstanding Achievement recognises outstanding achievement by an RACGP staff member, supervisor, registrar or former registrar who has completed training within the last three years. In 300-500 words, nominators should outline the overall public benefit to the nominee’s activity, considering originality, inventiveness and/or best practice.

The Aunty Val Dahlstrom Award for Aboriginal Health Excellence recognises excellence in Aboriginal health by an RACGP staff member, supervisor or registrar. In a 300-500 word statement, nominators should identify the overall achievement of the nominee relating to Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander health with respect to originality, innovation or best practice.

Honorary Membership may be awarded to persons who do not hold a registrable medical qualification and have given long and meritorious service to the RACGP and/or to general practice.

Nominations can be made by two members of the RACGP, of whom at least one must be a Fellow.

Honorary Fellowship may be awarded to RACGP members, and members of other colleges or academies. In very special or unusual circumstances, non-medical persons may be considered for eligibility.

The general criteria which should be followed when considering eligibility are exceptional and meritorious service to general practice in the fields of education, research, or administration. The award is conferred upon individuals whose accomplishments are of such excellence that they provide inspiration and leadership to Fellows of the RACGP and who bring honour and distinction to the RACGP.

Nominations can be made by two Fellows of the RACGP.

Life Fellowship is awarded to an existing Fellow of the RACGP in recognition of outstanding and meritorious service to the RACGP.

Nominations can be made by two members of the RACGP, of whom at least one must be a Fellow.

The Standing Strong Together award celebrates partnerships between GPs and communities.

Who is eligible?

• any Fellow or member of the RACGP or any group of GPs (one of whom must be a Fellow or member of the RACGP) that has worked in partnership with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to improve health outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
• any Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander person or community group who has worked with a GP(s) – who is a Fellow or member of the RACGP – to improve health outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

Criteria:

The nomination must involves a partnership between GP(s) and an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander person or community group. Such partnerships could include:

• providing quality healthcare, access to healthcare and/or continuity of care to Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people
• running an event or program that encourages better health outcomes
• educating others to enable them to provide high-quality, culturally appropriate healthcare
• introducing changes to healthcare services that result in better health outcomes
• conducting research into Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health for the purpose of improving health outcomes

Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander GPs in training are invited to nominate for the Growing Strong Award.

Nominees for the Growing Strong award must:

• identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander
• currently be on the RACGP’s GP training pathway
• have an interest in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health
• demonstrate a commitment to giving back to the community

Nominees must also provide a written statement outlining how the Growing Strong award would support their professional development.

The Medical Student Bursary award is open to Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander medical students currently studying at an Australian University.

Nominees for the Medical Student Bursary award must:

• be a current Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander medical student at an Australian University
• have an interest in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health and a career in general practice.

Nominees must also provide a written statement outlining how the award would support their professional development.

More information on the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health awards can be found here.

The Brian Williams award is presented by RACGP Rural to commemorate the work of Dr Brian Williams, a rural GP and medical educator.

The aim of this award is to acknowledge medical practitioners, whose mentoring and support enables rural GPs to safely dedicate themselves to their patients, their families and their communities.

The Brian Williams Award is the highest accolade awarded by RACGP Rural to an RACGP member who has made a significant contribution to their personal and professional welfare and wellbeing of rural GPs.

Nominations can be made by two Fellows and one member of the RACGP.

The Rural Registrar of the Year award recognises an exceptional registrar who demonstrates a commitment to improve the health and wellbeing of communities in regional, rural or remote Australia.

Nominees for the Rural Registrar of the Year award must have two nominators, who may be a RACGP member, member of the general practice profession, medical educator or general practice supervisor.

Nominations are judged on the following criteria:

• demonstrated commitment to rural general practice
• demonstrated commitment to learning and developing as a rural GP
• evidence of service to rural patients
• evidence of commitment and service to the rural practice in which they work
• evidence of service to the rural community in which they practice or have practiced.

The Rural Medical Student Award is awarded to a medical student who is a member of a rural health students’ club at an Australian university who submits the best essay (maximum 1200 words) on the topic outlined below.

ESSAY TOPIC: Think about a positive experience with an educator during a rural placement. What was it that made the experience positive? Reflect on the key lessons learned and how these lessons will impact your future medical practice.

Nominees must also be a current student member of the RACGP.

Each essay nomination is judged on the following criteria:

• demonstrated understanding of rural general practice
• demonstrated evidence of innovative thinking
• interest in a career in rural general practice

The Rural Community Research Project of the Year Award is presented to an RACGP member that completed an innovative research project over the last financial year which directly contributed to healthcare improvement in a rural or remote general practice, and positively impacted the town’s community.

This award is open to all RACGP members including Fellowship in Advanced Rural General Practice (FRACGP) or Rural Generalist Fellowship recipients who have completed a Community Project as part of their training requirements.

More information on the Rural awards can be found here.