Innovative approaches to attracting and growing the rural health workforce will be highlighted when the 2026 Regional Health Innovation Showcase comes to Griffith Regional Theatre on Tuesday 11 August.
Now in its third year, the Showcase brings together representatives from health, education, industry, government and community sectors to share ideas, celebrate innovation and strengthen collaboration across rural and regional health.
This year's theme, Growing rural health: Supporting innovation, workforce and community, will feature keynote speaker Leon Skaliotis, CEO of Flavourtech, who will share how a regional business has taken an innovative approach to building its workforce and supporting future talent. Headquartered in Griffith, Flavourtech supplies processing technology to food, beverage and pharmaceutical companies around the world, proof that globally competitive careers can be built and sustained in regional communities.
"The challenges of attracting and keeping talented people in a regional area aren't unique to health, they're something every Griffith business grapples with. I'm looking forward to sharing what's worked for us and hearing what's working across the region," Mr Skaliotis said.
Griffith Mayor, Councillor Doug Curran, said Council was proud to support an event that shines a spotlight on regional innovation and collaboration.
"Growing a strong local health workforce is essential to the future of our region. Events like this showcase the innovation happening here in Griffith and the partnerships that are helping create opportunities for people to live, work and build careers in regional communities," Councillor Curran said.
Attendees will also hear from Professor Damien Limberger, GP Obstetrician and Director of Medical Services at Murrumbidgee Local Health District, on new approaches to junior doctor recruitment at Griffith Base Hospital and Marg Couch, Manager Griffith Projects at Regional Development Australia Riverina, on the Country Change, Welcome Experience and Grow Your Own workforce models.
The afternoon session showcases local initiatives growing the rural health workforce through education, with lightning presentations from Shiron Kirkman, Centre Manager of the Country University Centre Western Riverina, on supporting local students to study close to home, the Murrumbidgee Health and Knowledge Precinct's (MHKP) aged care workforce program, FairGo Health's student placement matching initiative, and Rebecca Barry from Charles Sturt University's Three Rivers Department of Rural Health on how high-quality student placements strengthen rural communities.
MHKP Manager Maya De Mattia said the Showcase demonstrates what is possible when a region works together.
"Rural communities aren't waiting for solutions to arrive, we're creating them together. The Showcase is an opportunity to share what's working here in the Murrumbidgee, connect people who want to collaborate and show why our region is a great place to live, work and build a fulfilling career in health," Ms De Mattia said.
The Showcase will be held at Griffith Regional Theatre on Tuesday 11 August 2026, 10.30am to 3pm (registration from 10am), optional hospital tours from 3.30pm to 5pm.
The showcase is free to attend and includes lunch, however places are limited to 100 and registration is essential. Register: https://events.humanitix.com/murrumbidgee-regional-health-innovation-showcase-2026
