Professor Durrheim has been named Lake Mac Ambassador for 2022 for his outstanding efforts in keeping the community safe throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.

Professor David Durrheim has been named Lake Mac Ambassador for 2022 for his outstanding efforts in keeping the community safe throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.

HMRI Director, Professor Mike Calford said, “Dr Durrheim is an incredibly driven individual.”

“David has gone beyond the call of duty to avail himself for daily COVID-19 updates, between back-to-back meetings with various officials, health teams and the Ministry of Health.”

Dr Durrheim is Director of Health Protection, Hunter New England Health, Conjoint Professor of Public Health Medicine at the University of Newcastle, and Adjunct Professor of Public Health and Tropical Medicine at James Cook University.

In the past decade he has served as an expert adviser and consultant to several World Health Organization (WHO), regional and national health programs in the African and Pacific Regions. He also served as the Director of a World Health Organization Collaborating Centre in Vectorborne Diseases.

Appointed to the role of Director of Health Protection with Hunter New England Health in 2004, David took on the role of Public Health Controller for the district’s COVID-19 response in 2020.

“We have been very fortunate to have such a capable and committed leader at the helm to support us through the pandemic,” said Professor Calford.

“David’s calming and reassuring tone in his television, digital and radio updates have been warmly welcomed by the community.”

“His way of presenting complex scientific and medical information in an easily understood manner, has meant that residents have remained informed as the situation unfolded around them.”

Professor Durrheim is a staunch advocate for equitable global access to effective public health measures, particularly immunisation. He successfully linked the health system with the community, and championed good hygiene, adherence to restrictions and isolation, along with vaccinations, and testing and tracing.

“As his long-standing colleague in the medical sector, I am continually impressed by David’s outstanding efforts to support the community, particularly throughout this pandemic.”

“I would like to congratulate David on receiving this award that recognises his outstanding achievements.”