2025 NT Nursing and Midwifery Excellence Awards recognise those going above and beyond
The exceptional achievements of the Northern Territory’s nurses and midwives have been recognised at an awards ceremony in Darwin. SEE THE WINNERS.
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The exceptional achievements of the Northern Territory’s nurses and midwives have been recognised at an awards ceremony in Darwin.
The 2025 Northern Territory Nursing and Midwifery Excellence Awards, which recognise and celebrate the invaluable contribution nurses and midwives make to enhance the health and wellbeing of Territorians, were announced on Saturday night.
This year, 370 guests celebrated the 21st anniversary of the awards at the gala ball held at Mindil Beach Casino Resort.
Victoria Elborough from Core of Life NT was named midwife of the year, and Rebecca Schultz from Alice Springs Hospital was crowned nurse of the year.
Judy Ratajec, who works for the Aged Care Unit in the Top End Region was also recognised with theNT Administrator’s Medal for Lifetime Achievement.
The awards celebrated a record 428 nominations, up from 298 last year.
“Last night was about celebrating excellence in health care services, and those who go above and beyond in contributing to the community and health system in the Territory,” Health Minister Steve Edgington said.
“All nurses and midwives are incredibly important for the Territory, and the awards are a way of saying thank you for your amazing work and contribution to the Territory healthcare system.”
The event celebrated nominees, finalists and winners across 12 categories and provided an opportunity to recognise the Territory’s early career, enrolled and registered nurses and midwives working in any healthcare setting.
All the winners of the 2025 Northern Territory Nursing and Midwifery Excellence Awards
Registered Undergraduate Student of the Year: Kate Eddy, Ward 2A – Surgical, Trauma & Burns Unit, Royal Darwin Hospital, NT Health.
Excellence in Early Career: Stuart Yiwarr McGrath – Galiwin’ku Clinic, Miwatj Health Aboriginal Corporation.
Charles Darwin University Excellence in Education: Joeleen Brown – Education Team, Central Australian Aboriginal Congress, Alice Springs.
Excellence in Research/Quality Improvement: Megan Duck – Division of Emergency Medicine, Royal Darwin and Palmerston Hospitals, NT Health.
Excellence in Aged and Residential Care: Taryn Carson – Thamarrurr Aged Care Services, Wadeye, Thammarrurr Development Corporation.
Team Excellence Award: Men’s Health Team Outreach Team – Primary and Public Health Care, Central Australia Region, NT Health.
Client Appreciation Excellence Award: Gladys Wambui – Pediatric Cardiac Care, Maternal and Child Health Division, Royal Darwin Hospital, NT Health.
NT Administrator’s Medal for Lifetime Achievement: Judy Ratajec – Aged Care Unit, Top End Region, NT Health.
Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation NT’s Nurse of the Year Award: Rebecca Schultz – Executive Services, Alice Springs Hospital, NT Health.
Midwife of the Year: Victoria Elborough – Core of Life NT.
National Critical Care and Trauma Response Centre Excellence in Leadership: Rani Tharumalingam – Critical Care & Surgical Division, Alice Springs Hospital, NT Health.
Northern Territory PHN Excellence in Aboriginal Health: Peter Mitchell – Indigenous Remote Eye Service (IRIS), Vanguard Health.
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Originally published as 2025 NT Nursing and Midwifery Excellence Awards recognise those going above and beyond
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