Community
9 April, 2025
TDHS staff recognised
TIMBOON District Health Service (TDHS) recognised a long-serving doctor at its recent Heart of TDHS Awards celebration.
TDHS have held its awards celebration last month to acknowledge and highlight the hard work, dedication, commitment, enthusiasm and resilience of the staff and volunteers who make up their healthcare service.
Among those recognised was Dr Warwick Rouse, who received the Dr Peter Fox Staff Award 2025.
The award recognises the most outstanding staff member, nominated by peers, who continually makes a difference, constantly goes above and beyond while demonstrating the ICARE values of Integrity, Compassion, Accountability, Respect and Excellence.
“I felt surprised because I wasn’t expecting it, and I did feel very honoured,” Dr Rouse said.
“It was really nice. It was unexpected and really welcomed. It is always very nice to get appreciation.
“I wasn’t thinking that I was going to get an award.”
Dr Rouse said the award held special meaning to him due to a past connection with the award’s namesake.
Peter Fox was a founding doctor at TDHS, with his influence across the growth and standards of the health service lingering prominently to this day.
“I was here when Peter was still working in Timboon,” Dr Rouse said.
“I started here in 1997, but the clinic was not here. I was here for a year in 1997 and then I left for a year in 1998 to do an anaesthetics year.
“Then I was back here between 1999-2007 – I was up in northern New South Wales for a few years until 2009, and then I’ve come back and haven’t left since.
“The people I work with here are good. It’s nice having the little country hospital to work in as well so we can take care of people in the community in the hospital.
“The Timboon community is a nice community – they’re grateful to have doctors in the town, so I think you get treated kindly and well.”
John Fox, the son of Peter Fox, served as the special guest and also received the Volunteer Award.
“That’s the second one. It’d be over five years,” he said.
“I take people to Warrnambool and right around the town.
“When I get to their age, I might need the same things they do.
“I didn’t expect to win it, but I’m glad that I did.”
Length of Service Awards were also presented to community care worker Deb Foster for her 10 years and enrolled endorsed nurse Rhonda Johnstone for her 15 years.
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