Student and staff successes celebrated at Bendigo Welcome Evening
Monash Rural Health Bendigo welcomed its 2026 student cohort at an evening event on 25 February at the Gold Mines Hotel, bringing together students, staff and local clinicians.
The welcome event included the presentation of several academic and professional awards by Master of Ceremonies Dr Lisa Hall, recognising student and staff achievements from 2025.
The Dr John Gault OAM Award, sponsored by Bendigo Radiology was awarded to Lara Corsini. This award recognises academic excellence and the most outstanding Year 3B student.
"It was a wonderful surprise. It’s certainly given me confidence moving forward, and I feel incredibly grateful, not only for the award, but for the support and guidance I was lucky enough to have throughout the year," reflected Lara.
Drs Jayant and Charu Banerji presented the DEVA Memorial Award for academic excellence and most outstanding Year 4C student, awarded to Eliza O’Sullivan. Eliza completed her placements in Bendigo and the Goldfields region and worked as a Medical Assistance Officer in Bendigo Health’s Emergency Department.
"I'm very grateful to Charu and Jayant Banerji for this generous award. I was lucky enough to work with both of them and to learn from the way they approached every patient with compassion and worked extremely hard every day to serve their communities."
A Bendigo local, Eliza looks forward to returning to Bendigo in the second half of this year and continuing her career in the region.
"I love the sense of community within Bendigo Hospital as well as with the broader community and hope that I can give back to our region throughout my career."
For the first time, the Vyshnavi Janakan Memorial Award for Professional Excellence was awarded to two students Dr Amber Irving, now an intern at Bendigo Health and Dr Olivia Putland, who has just started the Victorian Rural Generalist Program in Echuca. The award recognised students who demonstrate exceptional professionalism, engagement and community involvement.
The final presentation of the evening was the Dr Adele Callaghan Educator’s Award. Eleven educators across Monash Rural Health Bendigo and their general practice hubs programs were nominated, reflecting the breadth of teaching contributions across the region. The award was presented to Ophthalmologist, Dr Peter Burt.
Professor Shane Bullock, Head of School and, until recently, Acting Director of Monash Rural Health Bendigo, offered his congratulations.
"It is wonderful to acknowledge the achievements of Lara, Eliza, Amber and Olivia in 2025. I hope they will consider returning or remaining in the region and contributing to its healthy future. Peter has been a major contributor to our Bendigo medical education program over many years, and this award is very well deserved."