At ACN, we value the insights and experiences of our Affiliate Members. Being an ACN Affiliate Member is more than just a relationship; it is about forming connections, supporting each other, and advancing the industry for our nurses, students, and healthcare professionals.
We want to hear directly from our affiliates about why they enjoy being part of our affiliate community. Join us as we delve into their stories and discover what makes affiliate membership with ACN so rewarding.
Our Affiliate Spotlight this month highlights Goulburn Valley (GV) Health and their dedication to public health service.
What is your organisation? Tell us about your team and specialty.
Goulburn Valley (GV) Health is the main public health service in the Goulburn Valley in regional Victoria (approximately two hours north of Melbourne).
Our services include a 24-hour Emergency Department, Surgery, Medical Services, Women’s and Children’s Services, Rehabilitation and Palliative Care, Mental Health, Outpatients, community-based health programs and services at the neighbouring towns of Tatura, Rushworth and Euroa.
We pride ourselves on delivering person-centred care and we aim to enhance patient experience through improved service access, developing partnerships, meeting growth in demand, implementing innovative service models and ensuring workforce flexibility.
GV Health has more than 3,000 staff across six main sites, as of 30 June 2025. Our people are highly skilled and we are the largest permanent employer in the Goulburn Valley.
How does your organisation contribute to the nursing, health, and aged care sector?
GV Health’s Nursing and Midwifery staff play an essential role in our community and are highly respected for their quality of care, depth of knowledge, and extensive clinical skills.
The breadth and diversity of the services and clinics offered at GV Health provides extensive variety in nursing roles, from entry level through to advanced practice, across a range of emergency, acute, subacute and community settings.
Share a recent milestone, event, or win that has happened within your org, team, or specialty.
GV Health recently introduced a program of targeted initiatives to reduce workforce gaps, enhance staff wellbeing, and strengthen overall workforce capability and experience.
One initiative – and highlight – was the recruitment of 80 international nurses and midwives in 2024 and 2025 to GV Health. The nurses have come from Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, Philippines, Singapore, United Arab Emirates, and the United Kingdom, and were appointed into roles across the organisation including Theatre, Recovery, Medical ward, Emergency Department, Surgical ward, Sub-acute ward, Maternity ward, Special Care Nursery and Critical Care Unit.
To help the new staff settle in, GV Health organised a welcome BBQ for the international nurses, their partners, and children. Attended by the Ethnic Council of Shepparton & District, the event focused on helping families connect and supporting partners in finding work and building friendships. The Rotary Club of Shepparton Central provided food and cooked for the event, while staff brought traditional dishes to share. Despite rainy weather, over 70 people attended, with plenty of laughter, conversation, and new friendships forming.
And now, to welcome other new staff and to thank GV Health for supporting them in their careers, some of the international nurses have performed cultural performances including dancing and singing for all staff to enjoy.
How long have you been an ACN Affiliate and what is your membership level?
Since September of 2019, currently we are a Bronze Affiliate.
Are there any specific benefits your team appreciates or uses?
An ACN membership is awarded to the Nurse of the Year and presented by the Chief Executive and Chief Nurse at the Annual General Meeting along with other annual awards.
Passes to the National Nursing Forum are awarded as part of International Nurses Day celebrations. Feedback from staff receiving the passes always includes how inspired they are after attending such an amazing event.
Discounted individual ACN memberships and CPD allow staff to access the vast range of content and experiences to support their professional development and enhancing their professional networks.
How has being an Affiliate Member of ACN contributed to your organisation’s goals and objectives?
Being an Affiliate with ACN is one way GV Health supports nurses to develop themselves as professionals, so we can continue to provide the best care we can to all of our community in the way they want to access care.
What’s next for your organisation? Tell us what your team is looking forward to or working towards.
GV Health is looking forward to welcoming new nursing graduates and staff in 2026, and providing them with:
- Opportunities to explore a range of post graduate courses in partnership with LaTrobe University, University of Melbourne and Deakin University including Rural Critical Care, Perioperative, Child Health, Mental health and Midwifery streams
- The chance to work in a relatively new Inpatient Unit with state-of-the-art technology and facilities
- Exposure to a range of diverse career pathways
- Opportunities to work within a range of evidence-based and client-centred settings including emergency, acute, subacute and community
- Experience of challenging and interesting work
- Access to ongoing professional development opportunities supported by experienced colleagues
- Being part of a multicultural team who appreciates the importance of having fun.
GV Health is also looking forward to celebrating our 150th anniversary in 2026. Generations of nursing staff have shaped GV Health’s story over this time. Their resilience, compassion and dedication have ensured that care in the Goulburn Valley is not only accessible but delivered with heart and genuine care. This legacy, and commitment today and ongoing into the future, will be celebrated throughout the year, including as part of a commemorative book and a Reunion Ball.
What’s next for your organisation? Tell us what your team is looking forward to or working towards.
GV Health is looking forward to welcoming new nursing graduates and staff in 2026, and providing them with:
- Opportunities to explore a range of post graduate courses in partnership with LaTrobe University, University of Melbourne and Deakin University including Rural Critical Care, Perioperative, Child Health, Mental health and Midwifery streams
- The chance to work in a relatively new Inpatient Unit with state-of-the-art technology and facilities
- Exposure to a range of diverse career pathways
- Opportunities to work within a range of evidence-based and client-centred settings including emergency, acute, subacute and community
- Experience of challenging and interesting work
- Access to ongoing professional development opportunities supported by experienced colleagues
- Being part of a multicultural team who appreciates the importance of having fun.
GV Health is also looking forward to celebrating our 150th anniversary in 2026. Generations of nursing staff have shaped GV Health’s story over this time. Their resilience, compassion and dedication have ensured that care in the Goulburn Valley is not only accessible but delivered with heart and genuine care. This legacy, and commitment today and ongoing into the future, will be celebrated throughout the year, including as part of a commemorative book and a Reunion Ball.
Written by
Lyn Brett MACN, BNSc, GCert Health Leadership, PGDip Ad Nur Prac,
Manager Nursing Midwifery Workforce
Goulburn Valley Health
