Oatlands Pharmacy in Tasmania has won the judges award for Best Video in the Pharmacy Guild's 2020 video competition for rural, regional and remote pharmacies across Australia.
The People's Choice award was taken out by Nielson's Pharmacy in Yarram, Victoria.
This year's theme was "first dates" to highlight community engagement and a new feature was the chance to score bonus points by incorporating the signature item – which this year was a ring - into the video.
Oatlands Pharmacy receives full registration to APP2021 as its prize, while Nielson's Pharmacy receives a consult towards a website or three hours of digital consulting up to the value of $300.
Executive Director of the Pharmacy Guild Suzanne Greenwood said all of the entries in the competition were inspiring.
"All the pharmacies that submitted entries beautifully celebrated the theme of community engagement and were creative with the inclusion of the signature item, a ring. They were a joy to watch and clearly show the rewards of working in rural pharmacy and the important work of community pharmacy within these tight-knit communities," she said.
"The Oatlands Pharmacy video stood out because of its focus on community and how pharmacist Ilwoo Park had moved from a highly populated city to a town of just under 700 people with a firm commitment to integrate into that community.
"Her enthusiasm and her commitment to the community shine through and her tireless work for her patients is evident. It is a clever video which is also a testament to what rural pharmacy is all about – being compassionate, innovative and part of the community."
Ms Park said she was surprised and honoured to be chosen as winner of the competition.
"It was fun putting the video together and also gave me an opportunity to highlight some aspects of the local community which make my job here so rewarding," she said.
General Manager of Guild Digital Aaron D'Souza said the People's Choice award winner, Nielson's Pharmacy, was memorable because of its clever use of the 'ring' theme and the enthusiasm that was obvious in the making of the video.
"Using an Abba song and a phone was a nice approach to the theme and the whole flavour of the video is about the pharmacy, its staff and its place in the local community," Mr D'Souza said.
"It is very engaging and a great advertisement for anyone thinking of a career in rural pharmacy." Proprietor Geoffrey Nielson said the video was fundamentally a tribute to his family, staff and patients.
"They are what makes the pharmacy what it is and what makes rural pharmacy such a wonderfully rewarding sector of the profession.
"It is wonderfully varied but importantly you are a major part of the community in so many ways.
"We also enjoyed watching all the other entries and they all reinforced the sense of community we have in rural pharmacy."
View all the finalist and winning videos here.
