Read about former Country SA PHN board member honoured on King’s Birthday, the activities of our Community Advisory Committees, Rural Health Innovation Fund news, and more.
Community Advisory Committees – Latest Activity
The latest activity for Community Advisory Committees included:
Limestone Coast Community Services Roundtable met on Tuesday 20 May, with the SA Mental Health Commissioner, Taimi Allen, as guest speaker. Melissa Bond, Country SA PHN’s Senior Manager - Mental Health and AOD Strategy also joined Country SA PHN’s Manager – Community Collaborations online to listen to valuable insights of the Limestone Coast region.
Barossa Local Health Cluster also met on Tuesday 20 May in Nuriootpa. An item for discussion was auditing the general membership base and how the Committee could engage with the broader community.
On Wednesday 21 May, the Far West Local Health Cluster met in Ceduna. They discussed potential activities for the 2025-2026 Health Promotion Grant within their Cluster footprint.
Roxby Downs Health Forum met on Tuesday 10 June, where they have been busy preparing for the 2025 Happy Healthy Expo, which was a recipient of the 2024-2025 Health Promotion Grant.
For any enquiries around Country SA PHN’s Community Advisory Committees, please reach out to Manager - Community Collaborations at [email protected].
Rural Health Innovation Fund - Celebrating Commitment to Regional Health and Wellbeing
As submissions for Grant Round 3 (2025) are being assessed by the RHIF Independent Assessment Panel, we want to take a heartfelt moment to thank every individual, organisation, and community group who applied.
Your dedication to improving health and wellbeing outcomes across regional South Australia is both inspiring and appreciated. Taking the time to craft a grant application reflects your passion, vision, and commitment to making a real difference in the lives of others.
We also want to acknowledge the incredible achievements of our Grant Round 1 recipients (2023), whose projects have already made a tangible impact in their communities. Likewise, we commend the ongoing efforts of our Grant Round 2 recipients (2024), who continue to deliver meaningful change, and innovative health and wellbeing solutions across regional SA.
Together, your work is shaping a healthier, more connected, and more resilient South Australia. The ripple effects of your efforts are felt far and wide and we are proud to stand beside you in this journey.
To our Grant Round 3 applicants, we’ll be in touch with updates as the assessment process progresses. We know the anticipation can be challenging, and we appreciate your patience and enthusiasm. We look forward to celebrating the announcement of successful recipients in 2025! Thank you for all your unwavering commitment to improving lives. Your work matters, and we are honoured to support it.
If you’d like more information about RHIF, contact [email protected].
Country SA PHN Celebrates National Reconciliation Week
Country SA PHN was pleased to be involved in National Reconciliation Week 2025, through attending Reconciliation SA’s Tuesday 27 May breakfast, held on Kaurna land at the Adelaide Convention Centre.
Reconciliation SA breakfast, Tuesday 27 May 2025
Country SA PHN staff members, including Reconciliation Action Plan working group members Emma Young, Tania Morgan, Kirsty Liebeknecht, Melanie Parker and other colleagues, were honoured to wake up bright and early to travel to Reconciliation South Australia’s breakfast at the Adelaide Convention Centre.
We were excited to hear that not only did a massive 3,000 people attend in the room, but the event was also livestreamed to sites in country South Australia, including Port Lincoln, Mount Gambier and Port Augusta.
The breakfast featured a fantastic keynote address by Professor Jackie Huggins AM, of the Bidjara and Birri-Gubba Juru Peoples, and Director of Indigenous Research, University of Queensland Faculty of Health, Medicine and Behavioural Sciences. Professor Huggins spoke of the significance of Corroboree 2000, where hundreds of thousands of people walked for reconciliation across the Sydney Harbour Bridge, 25 years ago.
We were privileged to listen to the presentations of many other speakers and reflect on beautiful performances by the Iwiri choir and Marliya/Spinifex Gum.
Country SA PHN staff who attended the Reconciliation SA breakfast, including Emma Young, Executive Manager – Strategic Engagement and chair of Country SA PHN’s Reconciliation Action Plan Working Group
Marliya emsemble performing at the close of Reconciliation SA’s breakfastProfessor Jackie Huggins AM performing keynote speech at Reconciliation SA breakfast
Country SA PHN staff morning tea, Friday 30 May 2025
Additionally, Country SA PHN’s Reconciliation Action Plan Working Group, led by Chair Emma Young, coordinated a staff morning tea on Friday 30 May, featuring food from Indigenous-owned catering organisation, Something Wild. It was wonderful to have Country SA PHN Clinical Council members join our Mile End staff in the morning tea, prior to their face-to-face commissioning assessment meeting.
On Friday 30 May 2025, Country SA PHN paused to reflect on what reconciliation means to us and how we can promote reconciliation in our professional and personal spheres of influence.
While recognising and gathering this National Reconciliation Week; it’s also important to keep these conversations going every week of the year.
It was great to engage with our colleagues across Whyalla, Port Augusta, Nuriootpa, Mount Barker, and Mile End and with Country SA PHN Board Chair Dr Simon Lockwood and other Clinical Council members.
We enjoyed digging into delicious food supplied by Indigenous-owned organisation Something Wild. And we look forward to continuing our reconciliation journey and ‘Bridging Now to Next’.
Country SA PHN staff at 2025 reconciliation morning teaCountry SA PHN staff and Clinical Council members at 2025 reconciliation morning teaCountry SA PHN Reconciliation Action Plan Working Group chair Emma Young (L)
Dr Peter Rischbieth AM recognised in King’s Birthday Honours
Country SA PHN extends a warm congratulations to former Board Member Dr Peter Rischbieth AM for receiving a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) in the General Division in the King's Birthday Honours.
Dr Rischbieth, who held a position on the Country SA PHN Board for several years, provided a huge amount of value and input in his role. We’re so grateful for his important contribution to rural health in country South Australia.
