A commitment to creating better health outcomes closer to home has put Far North Queensland in the state spotlight, with the Far North Queensland Hospital Foundation taking out the Queensland Change Award in the 2026 Telstra Best of Business Awards.
The win recognises the Foundation’s positive impact across the region and the collective contribution of its supporters, volunteers, donors, partners and staff.
The Change Award recognises businesses making a purposeful and positive impact for Australian people, communities or the planet. The Foundation will now progress to the National Awards in November.
Foundation CEO Gina Hogan said the award was recognition not only of the Foundation, but of the community, volunteers, donors, partners and staff behind its work.
“This is an incredibly proud moment for our Foundation and for Far North Queensland,” Mrs Hogan said. “Everything we achieve is made possible by people who believe in improving health care for our communities. From our donors and volunteers to our supporters, partners and staff, there are so many people who play a part, and this award belongs to all of them.
“What makes this recognition particularly special is that the Change Award is about creating purposeful, positive impact. That is exactly what drives us every day: helping people across Far North Queensland access the health care they need, closer to home.”
Since 1997, the Foundation has invested more than $31 million into healthcare, research, education, patient care and health service improvements across Far North Queensland. Its support has helped fund medical equipment, clinical innovation and workforce capability, as well as initiatives to improve the patient experience across regional and remote communities.
A key part of the Foundation’s approach is its social enterprise model. Its cafés, catering services, vending machines and hospital parking operations cover the Foundation’s operational costs, allowing 100 per cent of community donations to go towards health care.
Mrs Hogan said winning the Queensland award was an opportunity to showcase what could be achieved through strong community support.
“We know the distances and challenges that come with delivering health care across a region as large and diverse as Far North Queensland,” she said. “Our community has consistently shown that it wants to be part of the solution. Whether someone makes a donation, volunteers their time, supports an event, buys a raffle ticket or partners with us through their business, it all contributes to what we can achieve together. To have that work recognised at a Queensland level is wonderful, and we’re very excited to now take the Far North Queensland story to the national stage.”
The Foundation’s activities span fundraising, volunteer support and social enterprises including cafés, catering, vending and hospital parking.
The Foundation will represent Queensland at the national stage of the Telstra Best of Business Awards in November.
Photo: Some of the Foundation’s team were excited to celebrate the Queensland Change Award in the 2026 Telstra Best of Business Awards. Business Support Officer Amy Markham, CEO Gina Hogan, Relationships Manager Glenys Duncombe and Fundraising & Marketing Manager Jenny Coates.
