By Colin MacGillivray

Ararat Medical Centre’s Pieter Pretorius won recognition as one of the state’s best medical educators at last week’s 2026 Victorian Rural Health Awards.

Dr Pretorius won an award for outstanding contribution by a mentor/supervisor – one of 13 handed out during the online ceremony.

The award recognised his 22 years of mentoring registrars, interns and medical students since moving to Ararat from South Africa in 2005.

Dr Pretorius said it was ‘an amazing feeling’ to win the award.

“I’ve been teaching people for a long time now,” he said.

“Since I came to Australia 22 years ago I’ve been involved in registrar and intern teaching, and I got involved with the students for the last 15 years or so.  Eventually I became the regional supervisor for students in the Horsham, Stawell and Ararat region.

“I’m still doing registrar teaching and also tutor international students.

“I’ve pretty much been involved in teaching ever since I got to Australia, and to be acknowledged for that is amazing for me.”

Dr Pretorius said he enjoyed mentoring students.

“I just like it. I like challenging people to think about things, and to learn and grow and develop,” he said.

“I’ve seen people develop as young doctors and it’s so satisfying for me. I’ve always liked to learn. In South Africa I did a post-graduate four-year course in family medicine, so I’ve always been someone who enjoys learning.”

Dr Pieter Pretorius was also a finalist in the outstanding contribution by a rural GP or rural generalist category alongside Natimuk and Horsham’s Dr Kate Graham and Nhill, Skipton and Beaufort’s Dr Malcolm Anderson.

Two other medical professionals from the region received certificates for 35-plus years of service during the awards. East Grampians Health Service physiotherapist and allied health manager Christine Perry and Wimmera Health Care Group doctor Yvonne Cymbalist were among nearly 40 people to receive the acknowledgement.

A full list of award winners is available online at rwav.com.au/2026-victorian-rural-health-award-winners.

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