The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) will celebrate South Australian GPs and practices that have excelled in their practice and service to their communities.
Each year, the awards acknowledge GPs, registrars, and practices and practice teams who make an outstanding contribution to the health and wellbeing of their communities.
The RACGP SA award winners for 2025 are:
- South Australian GP of the Year: Dr Godfrey Sibanda, who practices in Hindmarsh
- South Australian GP Supervisor of the Year: Dr Heather Munro, who practices in Firle
- South Australian GP in Training of the Year: Dr Sophie Ootes, a registrar in Clare
- South Australian General Practice of the Year: Arkaba Medical Centre
RACGP South Australia Chair Dr Siân Goodson congratulated the recipients on their awards and vital contributions to the health and wellbeing of South Australians.
"These awards are an opportunity to recognise the incredible work being done by GPs and their teams across South Australia," Dr Goodson said.
"This year's winners deliver high-quality care to their patients, are respected by their peers and strengthen the health of their local communities
"To be recognised with these awards, the winners and their fellow nominees lead the way as examples of what it means to be a GP and how they work to benefit the health of their patients and provide valuable service to the health system."
South Australian GP of the Year Dr Godfrey Sibanda is known as a highly dedicated GP whose clinical career of 36 years, including 30 in general practice, has allowed him to develop diverse expertise across various fields of medicine.
This includes applying his skills in emergency medicine to support rural doctors overnight by consulting on 4–5 rural emergency cases a night through SA's virtual emergency services. Dr Sibanda has worked across both rural and metropolitan settings during his general practice career.
Dr Sibanda started his medical career in Zimbabwe, and each fortnight consults for an extra session with all revenue donated to support children and orphans in Zimbabwe through to Aid for Africa Down Under.
"I'd like to thank the RACGP for this great honour. I'm humbled by this award, and very grateful for this recognition," Dr Sibanda said.
"My work would not be possible without the patients who entrust our state's general practitioners to care for them and their families through the many seasons of life. For over 35 years as a GP, I have been privileged to care for people at their most vulnerable.
"I would also like to thank my colleagues and team at Hindmarsh Bowden Health. I am a better GP because of you all and the team we have."
The awards panel said SA GP Supervisor of the Year Dr Heather Munro's commitment to teaching and mentoring future GPs clearly goes above and beyond, noting her glowing feedback from colleagues and trainees and her quiet and consistent excellence in general practice. Her specific interests include family medicine, paediatrics, chronic disease management, women's health, and mental health.
SA GP in Training of the Year Dr Sophie Ootes is a Rural Generalist registrar with a passion for expedition, retrieval, and sports medicine. She is vice-president and a founding member of the Australasian Wilderness and Expedition Medicine Society, and also sits on various state and national sporting committees.
Dr Ootes said: "It is such a surprise and honour to be granted this award! I give significant credit to my wonderful supervisors who have encouraged and inspired me to be the best possible version of myself, so that I may provide the best possible care for my patients.
"I have chosen general practice because in a world of high sub-specialisation, I want to be a trusty multi tool – a specialist generalist! I really enjoy working with my patients to optimise their health holistically, and through the many stages of life.
"I hope to encourage more doctors to specialise in general practice, more supervisors to consider a flexible approach to training, and more policymakers to support excellent primary care medicine. I am so grateful to have been encouraged to train in a variety of environments, from remote fly-in clinics to mountainsides. I know that doing all of these things adds more tools to my belt, and keeps my fire for medicine burning strongly so that I have more warmth for my patients."
Arkaba Medical Centre, the SA General Practice of the Year, is regarded as an excellent example of patient-centred care. A GP-owned and operated medical clinic with community pharmacy integration and a dedication to teaching future GPs, doctors, and nurses.
During the COVID pandemic, it was home to its state's first GP-led respiratory clinic, and the largest centrally located GP-led vaccination hub in South Australia.
Dr Vik Jasoria, Director at Arkaba Medical Centre, said: "Every patient matters at Arkaba Medical Centre, and as a flagship clinic, we are committed to compassionate, innovative, and excellent primary care. As a GP and with my fellow director, we are proud to care for our patients and mentor next generation of GPs and nurses to make a real difference to our community and create true community impact.
"This award recognises not only our clinical work but the collaborative culture we have built at the Arkaba Medical Centre, where every patient is valued and empowered."
They offer services such as lactation consulting, hypnotherapy, iron infusions, IUD insertion and chronic health assistance from skilled medical staff.
The winners from South Australia have been shortlisted for the national RACGP Awards, which will be presented at the RACGP GP25 conference in Brisbane in November.
