Strategic Engagement - April 2026

Country SA PHN Manager Community Collaborations Bridget Kennelly travelled to Mt Gambier to meet with Limestone Coast Community Services Roundtable on the 24^th February. A fantastic number of attendees discussed key topics of Transport and Housing, with guest speakers from Mt Gambier City Council and ac.care providing key data and insights to the group. With both topics being key social determinants of health, advocacy opportunities were discussed in order to effect change.

The Fleurieu Region Community Services Advisory Committee met in Yankalilla on March 10, with Bridget in attendance. Key points of discussion included how to effectively communicate grant and learning opportunities with the broader community, the work happening around local Death Café’s in the area of palliative care, the programs happening in the Councils and the upcoming Youth Week activities.

Bridget also attended the Barossa Local Health Cluster met in Nuriootpa on March 11, where they discussed future direction and role.

On the 17 March, Bridget travelled to Berri to join the Riverland Community Services Alliance where, amongst the other Country SA PHN updates, she shared the great work happening with two local Rural Health Innovation Fund recipients: Ramble Arts’ 3^rd Place youth space at Waikerie and Women Together Learning (WoTL), who are having a new Riverland intake for their program in April.

For any enquiries around Country SA PHN’s Community Advisory Committees, please reach out to Manager Community Collaborations at [email protected].

We are thrilled to share that RHIF Round 4 of the Rural Health Innovation Fund (RHIF) closed on 17 March 2026, attracting strong interest from organisations across Country SA. Susan Brown, RHIF Coordinator, noted the breadth and quality of applications, reflecting a rich mix of priorities, mental health and wellbeing, primary care access, chronic disease and palliative care support, community resilience, and rural workforce capability. This diversity highlights both the depth of innovation emerging in our communities and how far RHIF has now reached across the Country SA PHN footprint.

As RHIF continues to mature, it is evolving into a powerful collaboration catalyst, linking organisations, councils, community groups and service providers to spark new partnerships and strengthen regional capability. This connective role is becoming increasingly important, with RHIF continuing to support the delivery of Country SA PHN’s Strategic Plan to increase health equity, improve access to primary and preventative care and enable community‑led wellbeing initiatives. RHIF is supporting regional communities to design, lead and sustain local, holistically geared solutions that matter most to them.

While assessing of the RHIF Grant Round 4 progresses, we remain committed to supporting our RHIF Grant Round 3 recipients. Over the coming months, Susan will be travelling throughout the region to meet with them personally, hear their progress firsthand and continue building momentum toward sustainable, locally driven health improvements. We look forward to sharing these stories with you soon.

The Rural Health Innovation Fund also continues to welcome opportunities to connect organisations, new applicants, past recipients, councils, and regional partners alike, because collaboration leads to expanding RHIF’s footprint and ensuring communities most in need can access innovative, integrated solutions.

Thank you to every organisation that applied in Round 4 and to all RHIF recipients who continue to demonstrate the power of community‑driven innovation in strengthening health and wellbeing across Country SA.

Stay engaged and updated with our RHIF community by following our Facebook page! For more information, contact RHIF Coordinator Susan Brown at [email protected].