General News
17 December, 2025
New award honours founding CEO
GRAMPIANS Community Health is honouring its inaugural CEO Jill Miller with a new annual award that celebrates the values of the organisation. The inaugural winner is NDIS support coordinator Bec Hardy. The award was named in honour of Jill Miller’s contribution, values, and lasting impact at GCH, and given by the GCH executive to a staff member who demonstrates the values of empowerment, professionalism, inclusiveness, compassion and courage through their actions.
The award was presented by Jill’s daughters Nadya and Kristy Miller during GCH’s annual general meeting in Stawell on December 4.
They said they were pleased the richness of the organisation and its people was being recognised.
“This is an absolute honour,” Kristy said. “Nadya and I are so proud that Mum’s legacy will continue through this award.”
General Manager Health, Aged and Disability Services Kate Astbury said Bec was a worthy inaugural winner.
“Jill was a fierce champion for client empowerment and inclusion and Bec lives these values daily in her work,” Ms Astbury said.
“She is professional, compassionate and a fierce advocate for the NDIS clients she works with. Her inclusive approach not only enriches the lives of her clients but also strengthens our workplace culture. Bec is a very humble person which makes this recognition special for us all.”
Bec said that while she hadn’t met Jill Miller, she was aware of her contribution to the community.
“I wasn’t privileged enough to meet Jill but I’ve heard amazing things about what an incredible woman she was and what she did for the community and I’m honoured to receive this award,” she said.
She also paid tribute to the current GCH teams.
“You benefit from people you’re surrounded by and I’ve been lucky that the teams I work with are amazing. The support I have received from all people in my teams and throughout the entire GCH has been fantastic.
Jill Miller, who died earlier this year, was GCH’s inaugural CEO and dedicated 32 years to the organisation and was instrumental in its formation in 1985.
CEO Greg Little said it was fitting that Jill’s legacy be remembered.
“This award ensures Jill’s contribution to GCH and the local community will never be forgotten,” he said. “Jill’s impact is felt in every service we provide, in every life we touch and in the very spirit of GCH.”
Bec will now compete for a state-wide values award that will be announced at the Alliance of Rural and Regional Community Health (AARCH) conference in March 2026.